Here it is, August, and if you’re at all like me, you’re kinda counting down the days till you can send the kids off to their sitters at school. Or, alternately, if you’re also like me and are one of the sitters, er, teachers, you’re counting down with a fair amount of dread. It’s a very conflicting spot to be in.
I really can’t complain. My kids for the most part are awesome, I get to play a board games daily, driving distance to the OBX, and there’s an AC-equipped gym, our backyard pool, and my new favorite Wordle for baseball fans, Immaculate Grid.
If you follow them on X Twitter X, or Twixer as I call it, and click the new fancy X icon, you will see Grey and Rudy get this thing every day. I’m not bragging, but I do fill in the green boxes most days, methinks I’m at 12 for my last 14, and no I don’t go to a different browser when you think Rogers Hornsby had 3,000 hits and he didn’t. And no, I’m not saying Grey and Rudy do either (?)
It’s also the dog days in these fantasy leagues, of course. Kinda the dog days for writing too. Season stats are solidified and would take a seismic week to change them.
MLB in their infinite wisdom initiated a trade deadline to help with our summer doldrums. Here are some corner IF situations that have been changed and my take on what’s going down.
Cubs trade for Jeimer Candelrio: I was shocked here, Jed Hoyer loves his prospects like I love to order French toast for dinner. The Nationals have nothing really noteworthy to replace Candelario. Nothing, Like when I ordered some sort of Mexican pizza the other night. Long ride home, and apologies to my family. It is now called the Shot Heard Around the 4Runner. Wife thought her tire blew one time, and I’m not joking.
So about the Cubs, all of their corners are in flux after this. At first base, Cody Bellinger‘s Resurgence Tour in a Walk Year will continue part of the time. When Cody goes out to CF, well…..things break.
Cubs fans want Trey Mancini to play MarioKart, get into first place, get hit then by the blue shell, and fall into lava. And look! That’s the DFA music! He’s getting paid for two years now for NOT playing for the Cubs. Unfortunately, the Cubs are not giving Matt Mervis a chance even part-time but he’s hitting well in Iowa. Might see him if they fall out of the playoffs.
Third base will be interesting. One item of good news is that the Patrick Wisdom nightmare ends. Candelario will get the lion’s share of starts now at first and be exactly what he has been with more R and RBI chances. Yes, he’s at first and Nick a Madrigal stays at third. Christopher Morel looks to be the DH now. I can’t imagine why he’d lose at bats.
Kyle Manzardo to Guardians: if you weren’t worried about The Manzalorian, be worried now. The Rays don’t miss on deals. He also will be in the minors until Josh Naylor, who I really need to write up sometime, is traded due to his salary or free agency. Even when Cleveland is in it they’re sellers.
Update: Manzardo is expected to start in AAA even after the Josh Bell deal.
Carlos Santana to Brewers: Deep league guy, moves to a lineup that’s basically neutral to his value, and he looks like he should be Yordan Alvarez. He is not. And plays for two teams a year, so the 2 Guys and a Truck is wearing out their punch card for poor Carlos.
Jake Burger to Marlins: I don’t imagine the Burger profile will change much. He’s a swing and miss guy who hits big when he connects. Also a very fun watch. The NL East will have to ketchup to this power addition. Your fantasy team is not in a pickle, his PT is safe.
Josh Bell gets to take his talents to South Beach, where he will immediately take over at first base. They decided there was no use for Jean Segura in Cleveland. You should have decided that for yourselves months ago! Yes, even you Ms. Segura! Bell will continue to be a deep league starter with some occasional pop.
Garrett Cooper gets his first mention by me. He’s a backup in San Diego now. Perfectly ordinary below average bat with low power and low OBP. Might start though if he catches a heater. He won’t, probably, but if you were starting him he’s probably not a starter for now.
That’s all for this week. I wish Pete Alonso had gotten traded too, as I read through this it’s a wee bit underwhelming. Maybe some of these guys can whelm you
