On Monday, it was reported that the Blue Jays signed Chris Bassitt to a three-year, $36 million contract. After spending one season with the Mets after the majority of his career with the Athletics, let’s consult the park factors to find out how the park switch might affect his performance.
Last Friday, the Rangers signed Andrew Heaney to a two-year, $25 million contract. The oft-injured southpaw has called Los Angeles his home for the majority of his career, so how will the park switch affect his performance? Let’s consult the park factors.
Last Friday, the Padres signed Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million contract, which gives them quite the middle of the order assuming a healthy Fernando Tatis Jr. Having spent his entire career in Boston, let’s consult the park factors to see how a move to a new home park for the first time might affect his results.
Just three days after Jacob deGrom signed with the Rangers, it was reported that the Mets agreed to a two-year, $86.66 million contract with Justin Verlander. That’s a lot of money for a 40 and 41 year old pitcher! Ignoring his age and the possibility of performance decline, let’s consult the park factors to determine how the move from Minute Maid Park to Citi Field might affect his results.
The hot stove is in full swing! Yesterday, fantasy superstar Trea Turner agreed to an 11-year, $300 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Finally, Philadelphians will learn whether Turner prefers Geno’s Steaks, or its competitor across the street, Pat’s King of Steaks. I took a weekend trip to Philly last year and tried neither, but did highly enjoy a version from Woodrow’s sandwich shop that was topped with truffle whiz. If you’re a fan of truffles (not the chocolates!), this is the pick. So now Turner joins his third team and a new home ballpark. Let’s consult the park factors to find out how his performance might be affected.
On Friday, Jacob deGrom signed a five year, lots of money contract with the Texas Rangers, where the smell of smoked meat wafts through the air. Let’s compare the park factors of his previous New York home, Citi Field, with his new Arlington home, Globe Life Field and find out how his performance might be affected, if all else was equal (which it never is). Since we don’t need to worry about the DH only existing in the AL anymore, it makes for a much easier comparison than in years past.
Looking at the fantasy outlook from LA’s bevy of moves plus their division rival signs a star 1B!
Renfroe traded to LAA
Hunter Renfroe traded to LAA for Janson Junk (#7 on LAA 2022 Prospect List), Adam Seminaris (#18), and Elvis Peguero (#33)
The trade of Brandon Marsh and continued struggles of Jo Adell (77 wRC+ in ’22; 68 career) left the Angels with a corner outfield opening. Renfroe is a 31-year-old power hitter who will join his 5th team in as many seasons (SD, TB, BOS, MIL) and has been an above average hitter in three of the last four seasons, averaging 35 HR per 600 PA with a 110 wRC+. The park move is slightly a bonus for Renfroe. Angel Stadium and American Family Field have the same HR factor for righties at 112 while Angel Stadium is three points clear of AFF in overall park factor at 103. He does lose a bit across the division mainly due to the Cincinnati-for-Oakland trade while the HOU-SEA-TEX and CHC-STL-PIT trios essentially offset one another, but the shift to a balanced schedule this year mitigates that difference a bit.
Holy guacamole, what a blockbuster! On Tuesday, the Padres acquired superstar Juan Soto to bolster a middling offense that has been without Fernando Tatis Jr. all season. Let’s consult the park factors to find out how the park switch may affect Soto’s performance.
On Monday, Tommy Pham was traded to the Red Sox as the Reds continue to dismantle and build for the future. The 34-year-old has endured a weak offensive season and his xwOBA sits at the lowest of his career. Let’s see if the park switch provides any hope of a rebound.
Last Friday, the Mariners made the first big splash of the trade deadline deals when they acquired Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo. The 29-year-old is enjoying another strong season, having posted a career best ERA so far and his second lowest SIERA. His SwStk% has declined to a career worst though, but his CStr% has risen to a career best to somewhat offset the drop in pure dominance. His GB% has also declined below 50% for the first time since 2018. It seems pretty clear this isn’t exactly the same type of pitcher as he’s been in the past, but he’s been just as effective. Now with the move to Seattle, how might his new park affect his results? Let’s consult the park factors.