Lineup Analysis (9/5/20)

Here is a quick look at some of the post-deadline trade lineups. Fantasy managers will need to dive in again on Sunday to see if any additional trends develop.

American League

Angels

• With David Fletcher on the IL and Tommy La Stella traded away, Andrelton Simmons is now leading off.
• With Brian Goodwin traded away, Justin Upton (.542 OPS) is now batting cleanup.
• In his first start, Franklin Barreto (career .560 OPS) is batting sixth.
• Anthony Bemboom (.192/.364/.346) is now the everyday catcher.

Astros

• A steady lineup with Kyle Tucker slotting into the sixth spot.
• Several players are rotating through Alex Bregman’s third base slot.

Athletics

• It was set but Tommy La Stella (just traded for) hit second in his first game back. He might drop down later since it was also the first game with Marcus Semien out with an injury.

Blue Jays

• There is a lot going on here with the addition of Jonathan Villar. It’ll change again once Bo Bichette comes off the IL.
• Cavan Biggio has started the last two games in the outfield.
• Travis Shaw (vs RHP) and Joe Panik (vs LHP) are in a third base platoon.

Indians

• Stable.
• Josh Naylor (vs RHP) and Jordan Luplow (vs LHP) are in a right-field platoon.
• Delino DeShields (.281/.349/.298) is batting ninth and playing centerfield every day.

Mariners

• Too many trades and no games leads to one huge information void.

Orioles

• It’s in flux.
• Hanser Alberto is hurting so Cedric Mullins (.666 OPS) is leading off.
• Since coming off the IL, José Iglesias (.961 OPS, 0 HR, 0 SB) is batting third.

Rangers

• All over the place.
• Leody Taveras (.194/.306/.290) has been leading off.
• After trading away Todd Frazier, Isiah Kiner-Falefa is now playing third base and batting second.
• Ronald Guzmán (1.213 OPS) has started four of the last five games at first.

Rays

• Constantly unpredictable.
• Brandon Lowe has sat two of the last four games after struggling (.108/.250/.270) over the past two weeks.
• Joey Wendle (.257/.318/.416, 2 HR, 2 SB) has joined Austin Meadows and Willy Adames as the only regulars after starting 12 of the last 13 games.

Red Sox

• Even with Bobby Dalbec (.521 OPS) promoted, Michael Chavis has started four straight (2 vs LHP, 2 vs RHP).
• Alex Verdugo is now the leadoff hitter.

Royals

• Maikel Franco (.759 OPS) has slowly moved up the lineup to the cleanup spot.
• For some reason, Ryan O’Hearn (.654 OPS) continues to get at-bats over Ryan McBroom (.893 OPS).
• In his Royals debut, Edward Olivares (.577 OPS) hit sixth.

Tigers

• It has been extremely steady, but injuries to Niko Goodrum and JaCoby Jones will shake things up.
• While not in a platoon, Isaac Paredes is only starting two-thirds of the time.

Twins

• Josh Donaldson has returned and is batting second.

White Sox

• Nick Madrigal (.389/.405/.389) is back and hitting ninth.
• Adam Engel (vs LHP) and Nomar Mazara (vs RHP) are in a right-field platoon.

Yankees

• So many injuries have the lineup always changing.
• Clint Frazier (.273/.394/.564) is batting cleanup.
• Tyler Wade is playing shortstop and batting ninth.

National League

Braves

• Over the last week or so, Nick Markakis (.899) and Adam Duvall (.816 OPS) have been fixtures in the corner outfield spots.
• Travis d’Arnaud has taken over most of the catching duties while hitting .322/.355/.517.
• The Braves have faced 24 straight right-handed starters, so it’s tough to know if there are any platoons.

Brewers

• A mess and getting worse with the signing of Dan Vogelbach and release of Justin Smoak.
• I think management is just moving around the lineup to find anything that works. As a whole, the team has a .683 OPS on the season.
• Luis Urías (.666 OPS) was leading off for a while but now it is Ben Gamel (.715 OPS).

Cardinals

• Brad Miller (1.131 OPS) has become the cleanup hitter with Matt Carpenter (.590 OPS) hitting seventh.
• Dylan Carlson (.498 OPS) has been sitting with Lane Thomas (.433 OPS) taking his spot.

Cubs

• Recent changes (Kris Bryant off the IL, trading for Cameron Maybin and Jose Martinez) make the lineup tough to predict.
• The additions have Victor Caratini starting in only one of the last six games.

Diamondbacks

• Josh Rojas now starting at second and hitting a .583 OPS so far.
• Tim Locastro (.733 OPS) is starting against lefties and one of the other outfielders sits for him.

Dodgers

• Chris Taylor (.757 OPS) has started four straight in the outfield.
• They don’t have a designated DH and just rotate all the regulars through for a rest.

Giants

• While not a great lineup, it has become steady over the last couple of weeks.
• Evan Longoria (.308/.344/.487) and Brandon Belt (.333/.420/.621) are back to hitting third and fourth.

Marlins

• A nightmare to figure out.
• Jesús Aguilar is now on the short side of a platoon with Lewin Díaz.

Mets

• It seems like there is a new lineup each night but it’s the same players just in a new order.
• The big trade deadline addition was Todd Frazier (.736 OPS) who is starting against lefties.

Nationals

• Besides Trea Turner playing short, all the starters have changed over the past week. Asdrúbal Cabrera (.698 OPS) is playing first base. Luis Garcia (.700 OPS) is at second. Finally, Brock Holt (0.091 OPS) is playing third.

Padres

• After making several trades, the lineup spots cleared up.
• Mitch Moreland is playing every day, even against lefties.
• Jurickson Profar (.714 OPS) still has a set spot in the outfield.

Phillies

• The lineup has been set in stone for a while except for the centerfield spot with Roman Quinn (.657 OPS, 2 HR, 6 SB) and Adam Haseley (.729 OPS, 0 HR, 0 SB) in the mix.
• Phil Gosselin (.920 OPS) is making a case to play every day, but there is no open spot.

Pirates

• This is just one sad ass lineup. Jacob Stallings and Colin Moran are the only regulars with an OPS over .750. Their leadoff hitters have a .248 OBP on the season.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes hit sixth and played third base in his debut. I expect him to move up in the lineup.

Reds

• Brian Goodwin, Shogo Akiyama, and Aristides Aquino are splitting time with two outfield spots.
• Tucker Barnhart (.590 OPS) is still getting most of the catcher at-bats, even though Curt Casali (.994) is hitting better.

Rockies

• Raimel Tapia (.390 OBP, 4 SB) is still leading off.
• Kevin Pillar has started his games in center field after being traded for.
• The bottom half of the lineup isn’t playing every day and about impossible to roster.