The MLB trade deadline is always an exciting time for fantasy baseball managers. Each year, the flurry of trades can significantly alter the landscape of player values. As teams bolster their rosters for a playoff push or begin to rebuild for the future, player roles shift dramatically. Some players find themselves with increased playing time or in more potent lineups, leading to a surge in their fantasy value. Meanwhile, others may see their opportunities diminish. Navigating these real-world moves can be the key to getting ahead in your league during the closing months of the season. This week, our Hitter Profiles dig into a quick-hitter version of buy and sell for many of the key players moved at the deadline. Buckle up, as who knows what can happen when AJ Preller and Jerry Dipoto get involved.
Randy Arozarena
The move from Tampa to Seattle is from one of the weakest run-scoring teams and difficult park conditions to another that is marginally worse. Arozarena has been everything we want since the beginning of June with a 163 wRC+, hitting .288 with eight homers and nine steals. Moving to an offense that needs him badly and the excitement of a playoff race could elevate his game for the rest of the season.
Verdict: Hold
Jazz Chisholm
There was no better landing spot for Jazz than moving to the Bronx. He did everything he could to highlight that for the world with back-to-back multi-homer games to start his Yankee career. Simply playing in Yankee Stadium would be worth five more homers in 2024 alone for Chisholm. Add in the additional position flexibility through the addition of third base, and Jazz has an arrow pointing straight up. Undoubtedly, the whole world has seen that arrow with his performance out of the gate in pinstripes.
Verdict: Buy
Lane Thomas
This is a great move for the Guardians in obtaining an All-Star outfielder to support their playoff push. For the Nationals, they did everything they could to show off what Thomas is capable of to raise his trade value. However, moving to Cleveland, we have to expect a reduction in his speed, which has been the biggest part of his game this season with 28 steals for one of the most free-running organizations in Washington. Unfortunately, Thomas has been caught ten times already and will see a significant reduction in running with more on the line in Cleveland. Thomas was going to move, and that was the biggest penalty for his value for fantasy owners regardless of the destination.
Verdict: Sell
Isaac Paredes
Swapping Christopher Morel for Isaac Paredes, the Cubs never seemed to want to invest fully in Morel. Bringing Isaac into the fold brings an established power bat at the corner into Wrigley Field. Paredes has a scary one-dimensional power stroke designed to pull the ball down the left field line. The move to Chicago will decrease the power much more significantly than spray charts may indicate, with the, at times, harsh wind conditions. If you have a buyer, jump at the opportunity like the Rays did with this move.
Verdict: Sell
Christopher Morel
On the flip side of the Tampa and Chicago swap, Christopher Morel gets a new lease on life with the Rays. He has had a rough go with a .217 BABIP this season despite some underlying improvements in his plate approach. With a lot of potential going to a team that seems to get the most out of their players, this is a great move for Morel to break out of the poor luck and make some needed tweaks.
Verdict: Buy
Connor Norby
One of the biggest certainties at this year’s trade deadline was the Orioles unclogging their offensive pipeline with major league-ready players. One of the most likely to move was Connor Norby, and Baltimore delivered, with the Miami Marlins taking advantage of the high price of pitching this year. Norby has a much clearer path to playing time and should be up before long. This is a guy that has flashed 30/20 potential in the minors and has nothing left to prove beyond locking up a starting role in Miami going into 2025.
Verdict: Buy
Jesse Winker
In one of the more minor deals, Jesse Winker made his way to the New York Mets for some minor league pitching. Winker has fallen a bit from his days in Cincinnati but still has some thump in his bat to help fantasy owners. A wRC+ of 138 against righties with a reasonable 93 against lefties gives Winker some value. However, he still remains a platoon value rather than a plug-and-play weekly starter.
Verdict: Hold
