Are MLB Trades Screwing Your Fantasy Teams?

Get ready! The July 31st Trade Deadline is just around the corner

     The last time I talked about MLB trades (Movers and Shakers; 6/30/09), there were a few deals that sent players from league to league, thereby screwing plenty of owners that play in AL or NL-only leagues.  For example, AL-only leaguers were scrambling around to replace Mark DeRosa, while NL-only leaguers were trying to figure out how the Cardinals were going to get everyone enough playing time to make it worth owning certain guys.  It can definitely be a taxing situation to deal with and things like that can certainly grate on you…especially if you’ve just blown your waiver priority and are in dire need of filling a hole created by a major league GM selling off spare parts.       But that’s just a small drop in the bucket of player movement you’re about to witness.  We’ve got the non-waiver trade deadline approaching next week, and of course, we’ve all seen the ridiculous number of deals that take place later on involving high priced veterans that usually pass through waivers due to monetary constraints.  Either way, you better start bracing yourselves.  The trades are coming and you need to prepare.  Here’s a quick look at some of the moves we’ve already seen in July that may have some fantasy impact.

Colorado Rockies trade IF/OF Jeff Baker to the Chicago Cubs for P Al Alburquerque

Not a major deal by any means, but it does take a bit of the infield mess out of Colorado.  Troy Tulowitzki is back to playing at the level we hoped he’d return to, and Clint Barmes has been a fantastic asset at second base.  The Garrett Atkins/Ian Stewart situation is what it is, but Omar Quintanilla will now be the only middle infield utility guy.  There’s really no value change on Colorado.  The Cubs, on the other hand are a bit diffferent as they shipped out reserve outfielder Ryan Freel to the minors.  Freel used to be one of those guys you could count on for cheap steals as he filled in all over the diamond, but with Reed Johnson back and Jake Fox playing decently, there was no room for him once Baker arrived to platoon at second (now see the next section below).  The move also hurts the value of Mike Fontenot who, in the wake of the Aaron Miles injury, was getting plenty of PT.  Baker puts him on the bench now for a few games a week.

Chicago Cubs trade IF/OF Ryan Freel and cash to the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later

     We’ll have to wait a little longer to see if this really pans out for anyone at all.  Freel joins the AL, but he’s not really going to a situation that’s ideal.  The Royals already have a Freel-type player in Willie Bloomquist so the need really wasn;t that great.  It may change if the Royals deal someone like Mark Teahen, Jose Guillen or David DeJesus, but for now, it doesn’t do too much.  Freel’s had a few starts already, but nothing to get excited about.

Seattle Mariners trade SS Yuniesky Betancourt to the Kansas City Royals for pitchers Danny Cortes and Derrick Saito

     The Royals are all about picking up mediocrity here, huh?  Betancourt slides in at short to give the Royals a more permanent replacement for the injured Mike Aviles, but he really has no change in value.  He was playing regularly in Seattle until he started to wear out his welcome and the situation doesn’t look much different in K.C.  He’ll play regularly, but what he produces probably won’t be much.  The pitcher the Mariners got back are nothing but prospects, but what this move does is turn Ronny Cedeno into a full time player.  He’s taken over as the Mariners’ primary shortstop and even has a 6 game hitting streak working.  He’s nothing major, but if you need a full time guy, he could be worth a look still in AL-only leagues.

Chicago White Sox trade IF/OF Brandon Allen to the Arizona Diamondbacks for RP Tony Pena

     AL-only leaguers get another decent middle relief option, but certainly nothing to write home about.  Chase Field and U.S. Cellular Field play similarly, so Pena doesn’t geta value change due to a new home park.  Allen could be an interesting option now that he’s in Arizona.  No word on whether or not he can fill in at second base, but he does have a pretty good bat and could be used at first base or in the outfield.  He’s definitely a wait and see…

Oakland A’s trade 3B Jack Hannahan to the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Justin Souza

     Hannahan joins Chris Woodward in the fight to replace Adrian Beltre, but in all actuality, he’s not offering your fantasy team much.  Unless one of them steps up and goes on a hot streak, neither is going to be worth owning.  The A’s get back yet another prospect who probably won’t amount to much anyway.

Arizona Diamondbacks trade 2B Felipe Lopez to the Milwaukee Brewers for OF Cole Gillespie and P Roque Mercedes

     So here’s the big deal of the month, I suppose.  The Brewers have finally realized that a makeshift infield isn’t going to get them any closer to to the playoffs and went out and got themselves a quality starter at second base.  Lopez has been doing very well for Arizona and looks like he gets maybe a little bump in value moving to the Brewers.  He ceratinly has the opportunity to cross the plate a little more often with guys like Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun hitting behind him.  Lopez should continue to hit leadoff and stays in a hitter’s park, so that plus the fact that he’s not crossing into the AL, makes this a solid deal for Lopez owners.  The downside for people that own Brewers is that no longer will Craig Counsell and Casey McGehee be full timers.  The two will work back into a platoon situation at third decreasing the value of both and crushing the already miniscule value of Mat Gamel.  For the D-Backs, it’s about picking up prospects already.  Augie Ojeda and Ryan Roberts should split time at second and there’s a chance that prospect Rusty Ryal gets a September call up.  Nothing though, that looks too enticing for fantasy.

Cruising Rumorsville

We’re all still on the lookout to see if Toronto deals away ace Roy Halladay.  Teams involved in the rumors are the White Sox, Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers, Rangers and Phillies, but Toronto GM J.P Ricciardi still says he’s 50/50 about making a deal, so no added news to get excited about.

The Rangers, in addition to Halladay, are also looking at Zach Duke, Ian Snell, Doug Davis, Cliff Lee, and Jonathan Sanchez.  Plus with the frailty that is Frank Francisco, they’re now also exploring bullpen options like Matt Capps, Jon Rauch and David Weathers.

 The Mets are despeartely trying to replenish their infield.  They already picked up Angel Berroa off waivers from the Yankees and are no walso looking into Red Sox SS Julio Lugo.

The Reds appear to be sellers, yet again, as they are now actively shopping Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Weathers, Francisco Cordero and Arthur Rhodes.  No destinateions set, but offers are being made.

The Red Sox are shopping Brad Penny lately and the Brewers might be in the market.  Milwaukee is looking to bolster it’s rotation for a stretch run and a return to the NL might be good for Penny.  Too bad the ball park will ruin him.

And finally, the Orioles continue to shop closer George Sherrill, but according to most people involved in discussions, the price is astronomical.

So that about covers it from where we left off.  Like I said, the non-waiver trade deadline is on July 31st, so I’ll be back with plenty more.