Fantasy Implications for Several Offseason Trades

We have been a concentrating on our positional reviews here at RotoGraphs and have missed covering the fantasy ramifications of some offseason trades. It is time to catch up on the major players in each trade.

Arizona Diamondbacks traded RHP Jeremy Hellickson to Philadelphia Phillies for RHP Sam McWilliams

Jeremy Hellickson: The 29-year-old righty got a second lease on life with this trade. The Phillies will just start him every few days and live with the results. They really don’t have any other options.

I don’t see the move as a positive for Hellickson’s production. He is going from a one home run park to another so his heavy flyball nature will still generate home runs. The Phillies aren’t going to win a ton of games so he won’t get a bunch of wins. I see him as a matchup pitcher in NL-only or 20-team or deeper leagues.

San Diego Padres traded RHP Craig Kimbrel to Boston Red Sox for 3B Carlos Asuaje, SS Javier Guerra, LHP Logan Allen and CF Manuel Margot

Craig Kimbrel: He was close to the same pitcher in 2015 that he has been for years, except he posted a 2.58 ERA. The cause of the increase is from hitters squaring up on him a more. His 0.91 HR/9 was a career high and .276 BABIP was a four-year high. He should have a better defense around him because it could not be much worse than the Padres defense (2nd lowest team UZR).

Additionally, the Red Sox should be better in 2016 giving Kimbrel more save chances. He should in the top 5 closers taken off the board and I could easily see him retake the #1 overall spot.

Manuel Margot: I think he could be a huge sleeper for 2016. The Padres have no real center fielder and Margot can play the position adequately according to scouting reports. I am a little worried his bat is not ready and it could disappoint. Additionally, the Padres could just go super cheap and bury him in the minors another season. It is a situation worth keeping track of.

 

San Diego Padres traded RHP Joaquin Benoit to Seattle Mariners for RHP Enyel De Los Santos and SS Nelson Ward

Joaquin Benoit: He is another mediocre bullpen arm in a mediocre bullpen. The Mariners bullpen is just missing that lights-out closer, so I could Benoit get a few Save chances if a closer carousel emerges.

 

Atlanta Braves traded SS Andrelton Simmons and C Jose Briceno to Los Angeles Angels for SS Erick Aybar, LHP Sean Newcomb, RHP Chris Ellis

Andrelton Simmons: I don’t see his value changing much with the trade. He is still going to play all the time in a pitcher’s park. The only item I could see is an uptick in R+RBI as the Angels offense is a bit better than the Braves.

Erick Aybar: Right now he looks to be the starting shortstop for the Braves, but could change quickly.  He will bat about .270 with double digit steals which is what he did with the Angels. His R+RBI will probably drop some because of the Braves lack of offense.

Sean Newcomb: He skyrocketed up the prospect ranks and is currently the #19 overall prospect according to MLB.com with a 60 grade. Before Kiley left, he had Newcomb at a 55 grade. I wouldn’t get too excited for him until he gets his walks under control.

A: 5.0 BB/9
A+: 4.5 BB/9
AA: 6.0 BB/9

I would be surprised to see him make the MLB roster as the Braves try to work on his command in the minors. If he can get the walks under control, he may make is debut quickly.

Chris Ellis: Was considered the #2 prospect in the Angels system, but now slots in as the Braves #9 prospect according to MLB.com. He could see time in the majors this year, but as of right now his prospect look limited.

 

Minnesota Twins traded CF Aaron Hicks to New York Yankees for C JR Murphy

Aaron Hicks: Right now Hicks looks to be slotted in as the Yankees 4th outfielder. He could easily move into a starting role if one of Gardner, Ellsbury or Beltran get hurt. I think the move is great for the Yankees, but will limit Hicks’s value.

JR Murphy: He is going to be the Twins backup catcher behind Kurt Suzuki. His value is about non-existent unless Suzuki gets hurt.

 

Seattle Mariners traded SS Brad Miller, 1B Logan Morrison and RHP Danny Farquhar to Tampa Bay Rays for RHP Nate Karns, LHP C.J. Riefenhauser and CF Boog Powell

Brad Miller: This is a huge Huge jump in Miller’s value based entirely on playing time. He will be Rays everyday shortstop and get the counting stats to go with it. With 600 PA, he could be looking at his home runs and stolen bases in the teens.

Logan Morrison: I am not sure how much Morrison will play for the Rays. He has hit significantly better against right-handed hitters (111 wRC+) than left-handed hitters (90 wRC+). The problem is that an 111 wRC+ is not great for DH, but that is the production the Rays got from the slot in 2015. I think the key with Morrison will be if he only plays against righties or will he be a full-time player at DH and/or 1B.

Danny Farquhar: Just a bullpen arm for now. The Rays are looking to shop Boxburger and McGee, so he may be in line for Saves before the offseason is over.

Nate Karns: His value doesn’t really change after going from one pitcher’s park in Tampa to one in Seattle. He may see a bit more starts in Seattle since the Mariners staff is not as deep as the Rays.