Headed back to the AL West
As the July 31st MLB non-waiver trade deadline approaches, we’re seeing a good amount of preliminary action and fantasy baseball folks are going to need to start assessing the potential fallout, both good and bad. This is the time when AL and NL only leaguers start to tense up as the prospect of losing a player for good increases with every MLB trade rumor and every GM phone call placed. Mixed leaguers may have it a little easier in that regard, but still have similar trade anxiety as no one wants their players to end up in a lousy situation like a platoon or…even worse…Pittsburgh. So today I’m going to go through the recent deals we’ve seen, maybe go back a little further, and then talk MLB rumors as well.
MLB Trades
Arizona Diamondbacks trade RHP Dan Haren to the Los Angeles Angels for LHP Joe Saunders, RHP Rafael Rodriguez, LHP Patrick Corbin and a player to be named later (PTBNL)
Haren’s name has long been circulating through the rumor mill, and while several big name clubs were vying for his services, the Angels came swooping in with their offer and found success. From a fantasy standpoint, the results seem somewhat obvious. The Angels are getting a top flight starter in Haren and his fantasy owners should definitely start to see some immediate results. His wins total will definitely increase and you’ll likely see an improvement with the ratios as well. Sure, he’s moving back to the AL, but the ballpark factors alone should counter that. The stadium in Anaheim plays much better for pitchers than the smaller confines of Chase Field and that should relax Haren enough to trust his stuff and just throw strikes. No more incessant need to nibble which has been hurting him more this year than in years past. He’s having a down year, but I believe the change of scenery will do him so me good.
On the other end, the D-Backs are getting a major league ready arm in Saunders and a solid right handed prospect in Rodriguez. Corbin doesn’t impress me that much yet, and who knows who the PTBNL will be. Fantasy owners don’t usually trust Saunders too much, save for a super favorable matchup. He can throw the occasional gem, but for the most part you just close your eyes and hope the WHIP doesn’t get too outlandish. He’ll probably find some success at first when the NL tries to adjust to him, but I wouldn’t be using him unless he was on the road and has an advantageous matchup. Rodriguez, on the other hand, might be a nice wild card here. This season at Triple-A Salt Lake, Rodriguez has a 3.04 ERA, 10 saves and is holding the opposition to a .219 batting average against. I wish his K-rate was a little higher, but there’s a very strong chance that he gets pulled up to the big club in AZ and gets a look as a closer. The D-Backs aren’t going anywhere and Aaron Heilman is not a long term solution. Expect them to give Rodriguez an audition when rosters expand.
Los Angeles Angels trade RHP Sean O’Sullivan and LHP Will Smith to the Kansas City Royals for INF Alberto Callaspo
First of all, I had no idea the Fresh Prince was playing ball, but why the heck not? If he sits somewhere between the strength of Hancock and the intensity of his I Am Legend character, then I’m sold and ready to spend some FAAB bucks! Seriously though, this was another solid move for the Halos and one that will help the fantasy owners of Callaspo. The move to a better team and an undoubtedly stronger lineup should help Callaspo’s fantasy value as he heads to Anaheim to play the hot corner. While he’s definitely cooled since his early season performance, Callaspo remains a solid option in Al only and deep mixed leagues. H ewon’t hit for much power, but he’ll maintain a steady average and contribute nicely for the Halos. I’m figuring that he will definitely increase in runs scored and RBI just by joining this lineup, and you might even see a little more action on the basepaths as Mike Scioscia loves to run aggressively.
The Royals end of the deal does nothing for me, fantasy-wise. Neither O’Sullivan nor Smith are going to do anything in Kansas City that will resonate in the baseball fantasy world. Sure, O’Sullivan is an upgrade for the Royals over Bruce Chen, but it’s not like I’m ever going to use him on my active roster this year. As for the loss of Callaspo, the oyals have brought back Alex Gordon from the minors; a move heralded by some fantasy folk, but definitely not me. Firt off, Gordon was brought up to play the outfield as a replacement for the injured David DeJesus, so while he may retain his 3B eligibility, he’s likely not playing third. Instead, the Royals are seemingly going with Wilson Betemit, and if that’s who you’re picking up, then you’ve probably got a lot more fantasy problems than that. With the Royals likely selling off their biggest bat in Jose Guillen, the liklihood that this lineup will produce runs is slim.
MLB Rumors
Possible 3 Team Deal for Adam Dunn
When last we left off with the big slugger, the White Sox were the primary suitors. However, the South Siders weren’t too keen on parting with Daniel Hudson and the Nationals weren’t digging the package offered that included Hudson and rookie project Dayan Viciedo. The Nats turned around and said they were more interested in signing Dunn to an extension, but that could have just been a nice smokescreen as they looked for Chicago to up their offer. Well, instead, it now looks like Chicago and Washington have lured Arizona into the mix and the talks have increased to send Dunn to Chicago, Edwin Jackson to Washington, and I’m sure a package of prospects headed in both Washington and Arizona’s direction. A move to Chicago would, I think, increase Dunn’s fantasy value, while the same might be said for Jackson in Washington as well. I’ll keep you posted as more develops.
Rangers Eyeing Jorge Cantu
While the Marlins are making up their minds as to whether they are buyers or sellers this year, the Rangers are pushing them for their versatile corner guy. There haven’t been any details as to what the Rangers are offering, but I can’t imagine the price would be too steep. A move to Texas could be an interesting one for Cantu on the fantasy front. He would be picked up as a complementary bat for Chris Davis, but with the way Davis slumps, the job coul dbe handed to Cantu after a few weeks of platooning. And seriously….any move to that ballpark in that lineup has got to be good. If the Rangers don’t land Cantu, then word is that they will step up their efforts for Cubs 1B Derrek Lee.
Phillies Ready to Deal Jayson Werth?
It’s a touch and go situation in Philly here as Werth is a free agent at season’s end. The team would like to retain his services for the strecth run, but don’t want to risk losing him for nothing come November. The team’s primary focus has been a high end starting pitcher and now that Haren is out of the mix, perhaps the team will increase its efforts to land Roy Oswalt. However, as Buster Olney from ESPN reported over the weekend, the Phillies might just end up dealing Werth for a 4th starter or better as they aren’t really expecting to land Houston’s ace.
Several Pitchers Expected to Be on the Move
We all know that Oswalt is being considered one of the most coveted arms on the trading block right now, but you can also mix in Houston’s Brett Myers, Chicago’s Ted Lilly, and Cleveland’s Jake Westbrook. Several teams, including the Cardinals, Yankees, White Sox, and the Mets are all looking into the possibility of acquiring some sturdy veteran arms for the stretch run. From a fantasy standpoint, I’m having difficulty seeing any of these guys excelling outside of maybe St. Louis and the Mets. Westbrook is alwyas a breath away from a season ending injury, and I don’t see any of these guys tearing it up in hitter friendly Yankee Stadium or U.S. Cellular Field.
Other names that are being thrown around include: Prince Fielder, Mike Lowell, B.J. Upton, Brad Hawpe, Josh Willingham, Russell Branyan, and Jose Guillen. I’ll be back when I’ve got something a little more concrete.
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Good luck and I’ll see you all in the money this year!
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