Turned out to be a crazy deadline after all. Not all trades will have positive impacts for your teams and players. I’ll try (poorly) to access how the trade deadline shook out for fantasy free agents. I’m feeling some good (add everywhere – a chance at being high impact), the bad (lost role/playing time) and the ugly (15 team adds – have more of an opportunity but not good situations). Also, I will dive into some adds outside deadline-affected players towards the bottom.
Schedules of note:
Seven games: Diamondbacks Orioles Pirates
Seven w/double header: White Sox Royals Marlins
Six w/double header: Braves
Five games: Dodgers Rays Brewers Twins
The Good
Devin Williams (MIL/RP) – Williams has a career K-rate of 39.6% across 135.1 IP. With Hader gone, Williams has to chance to be among the elite fantasy relievers. (9-12% FAAB)
Felix Bautista (BAL/RP) – A fireballer who looks ready to take command of the role. 35.7% k-rate with a 1.81 ERA (2.32 SIERA) (7-8% FAAB)
Jake McCarthy (ARI/OF) – McCarthy has been an everyday player since the trade of David Peralta. He has good speed with some pop. Over a full season, I think he has 12-15 HR and 20-25 steal potential. (4-5% FAAB)
The Bad
Raisel Iglesias (ATL/RP) – Traded from LA to Atlanta, Kenley should keep the closer job. (hold in 15 team leagues, probably a drop in a 12 team or smaller)
Seranthony Dominguez (PHI/RP) – Dominguez may get a chance here and there moving forward. However, he came into pitch the 8th on Wednesday to face the bottom of the order. While David Robertson came in to close it out against the middle of the order. Both were on full rest; Robertson looks to be the lead guy. (hold in 15 team leagues, probably a drop in a 12 team or smaller)
Lou Trivino (NYY/RP) – Was barely worth rostering when he was getting save chances. (drop)
Christian Vazquez (HOU/C) – Traded from Boston to Houston. Vazquez has sat 4 of 5 games since joining the team. Vazquez is a much better hitter than Martin Maldonado. However, Houston has one of the best offenses in the game and Maldonado is an excellent defensive catcher. It will be more of an even split going forward as Vazquez gets familiar with the pitching staff. However, it will still be less playing time than Boston.
(hold)
Chas McCormick (HOU/OF) – The addition of Trey Mancini will slash his playing time (even more).
Mark Canha (NYM/OF) – Likely in a full-blown platoon with the addition of Tyler Naquin (drop).
Wil Myers (SDP/OF) – Myers was playing 1B when he came back from the IL but that will likely end with the addition of Josh Bell. Fernando Tatis Jr, is also nearing a rehab appearance, so it’s going to get very crowded for OF/DH spots (drop).
The Ugly
Jose Quijada (LAA/RP) – Quijada got the first look after the Iglesias trade. He converted without any problems but don’t count on too many wins for the Angels moving forward. (1-3% FAAB)
Rowan Wick (CHC/RP) – Wick sports a grotesque 1.73 WHIP and a middling 21.9% K-rate. However, he’s the only one left in bullpen and has closed out games for them in the past. (1-3% FAAB)
Eric Hosmer (BOS/1B) – Hosmer should get more consistent playing time in Boston. He’s nothing special, but PAs matter in deeper formats and he won’t hurt your average. (1% FAAB)
Jake Fraley (CIN/OF) – There’s a lot to like on the surface here. Fraley moves from one of the worst-hitting parks to one of the best. He’s been hitting in the top third of the lineup and offers stolen base upside with some power. The problem? I’m not sure if he’s any good. His playing time has been inconsistent, with a poor team context. His career slash line is .197/.312/.337 (5.2% barrel and 28.8% HH) across 395 plate appearances. I think he’s worth a gamble though, maybe he can get it together with every day at bats. (2-3% FAAB)
J.D. Davis (SFG/3B) – Davis crushes the ball, 13.7% barrel and a 57.3% hard hit. Unfortunately, his contact skills leave something to be desired (31.2% K). He should get a full slate of ABs to prove himself with the Giants while Evan Longoria is sidelined. (1-2% FAAB)
Brandon Marsh (PHI/OF) – Should see everyday ABs, in a good park. Offers some speed and power but strikes out a lot. (1-2% FAAB)
Lane Thomas (WSN/OF) – Now that Juan Soto is with the Padres, Thomas should see everyday playing time. Thomas has decent pop and elite speed. Although, I doubt he will be stealing much while hitting 7th. (1-2% FAAB)
Other 10/12 Team Adds
Dustin May (LAD/SP) – May is recovering from Tommy John surgery. He’s currently on a rehab assignment and should be back in the bigs in about two weeks. He’s already up to 62 pitches but the Dodgers are 13.5 games up and will take their time getting him ready. (2-4% FAAB)
Ha-Seong Kim (SDP/2B,3B,SS) – Kim has quietly been good over the last couple months, slashing .295/.378/.410 since June 8th. (1-2% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Bubba Thompson (TEX/OF) – Bubba has 49 stolen bases in 80 games in Triple-A this year. He also chipped 13 homers while slashing .303/.355/.474. Their Triple-A affiliate does play in the Pacific Coast League, known for its’ high run-scoring environment. He could be a product of his environment, as he doesn’t show up on any prospect list. However, you can’t luck into 49 steals, while only being caught 3 times. (1-2% FAAB)
Joe Mantiply (ARI/RP) – The Diamondbacks announced that Mantiply would be part of a “ninth-inning committee” going forward. However, Mark Melancon has proven his skeptics correct this year and I doubt he will continue to get chances given his recent performance.(1-2% FAAB)
Jose Iglesias (COL/SS) – He’s hitting .410 since 7/25. The Rockies have a six-game homestand this week.(1% FAAB)
