Roto Riteup: August 1, 2017

The Roto Riteup reminds you that practice makes perfect:

Tip drill to perfection! pic.twitter.com/v5CDTRD66M

— MLB (@MLB) August 1, 2017

 

On the Agenda:

1. Trade Deadline

2. Various News and Notes

3. Streaming Pitcher Options

 

Trade Deadline

The non-waiver trade deadline has passed and I consulted all my best sources to bring you all the best information possible:

My sources tell me that I’m schizophrenic and I don’t have “sources”.

— Justin Mason (@JustinMasonFWFB) July 31, 2017

Sonny Gray was traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for Jorge Mateo, Dustin Fowler, and James Kaprelian. It appeared that this deal was hitting a snag yesterday, but ultimately the two clubs were able to come to an agreement. Gray is having a nice bounceback year, but will leave the comfy confines of the Oakland Coliseum for the AL East and Yankee Stadium, which could hurt his numbers. Fowler and Kaprelian are both recovering from different surgeries following injuries sustained this season. Fowler injured his knee crashing into a wall in his short stint in the Majors and Kaprelian had Tommy John Surgery this year. Mateo was once considered a top tier prospect, but his stock has dipped tremendously over the last year and a half. He still has elite speed that could be a difference maker at the Major League level, but there are questions about his long-term defensive position and make up. All three prospects are high risk/high reward type dynasty assets, that get a boost considering they will be less blocked for playing time once they are closer to the big leagues.

Yu Darvish was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a last minute deal at the deadline. The Rangers received Willie Calhoun, A.J. Avery, and Brendon Davis in exchange. Darvish was the top name traded at the deadline and jumps to the top of the rotation in LA with Clayton Kershaw on the DL. In spite of an up and down season thus far, Darvish could get a nice little boost in value being able to pitch in the NL and the addition of Yasmani Grandal as a catcher. Calhoun was the centerpiece of the return and is likely the everyday DH in Texas in the near future. He is hitting .298/.357/.574 with 23 home run in 99 games in AAA so far this season. His biggest question mark has always been where he fits in defensively, so a move to the American League was a welcome sight for fantasy owners.

The Red Sox acquired Addison Reed from the New York Mets for Jamie Callahan, Gerson Bautista, and Stephen Nogosek. Reed will become the primary setup man in Boston for Craig Kimbrel. While Reed loses a ton of value in saves leagues for this year, he is a sneaky buy low target in dynasty/keeper leagues as he will likely be a hot name in the free agent market for closer needy teams. All three prospects are not necessarily worthy of dynasty league speculation at this time except in the deepest of leagues.

Francisco Liriano was traded to the Astros for Teoscar Hernandez and Nori Aoki. This deal doesn’t have a ton of fantasy goodness in it except that it probably means Derek Fisher is likely to get everyday at bats moving forward now that Aoki moves out of town. Hernandez could be an interesting piece for Toronto and fantasy owners as a decent speed/power guy if he can get the playing time.

Brandon Kintzler was traded to the Washington Nationals. Kintzler has been fantastic this year in spite of not having overwhelming stuff at his disposal. Following the trade on Monday, general manager Mike Rizzo would noncommittal on who the closer would be going forward, but Sean Doolittle would likely hold the job for now. Kintzler is worth rostering in formats where handcuffs are used. Taylor Rogers is likely to get the first shot at closing.

The Diamondbacks added Adam Rosales in a trade from the A’s. Rosales will fill a utility infielder role for Arizona especially in the short term with Chris Owings hurt and Ketel Marte being placed on the bereavement list after the sudden death of his mother in a car accident.

David Hernandez was traded to the Diamondbacks by the Angels. Hernandez returns to Arizona and will likely be the setup man and insurance policy of Fernando Rodney.

 

Various News and Notes

Following trade of Justin Wilson to the Cubs, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus named Shane Greene the closer in Detroit. Greene has been fantastic this year since moving to the bullpen posting a 2.74 ERa with almost 10 k’s/9.

The Astros recalled AJ Reed from AAA. Reed has been his usually mashing self in AAA hitting 22 home runs with a .251/.349/.481 line. He will likely be a bench bat for the time being, but is worth a stash in deeper formats if he can get hot.

Lance McCullers was placed on the DL with a back injury. This is the same injury that sidelined McCullers before, so hopefully he can recover and return to pitching like the stud we saw earlier in the season.

Top prospect Amed Rosario will make his MLB debut on Tuesday for the Mets. It has been a long time coming for the shortstop prospect as many wondered why he was being held down in AAA with little to prove. Rosario is worth an add in 15 team mixed formats and deeper as a potential fantasy spark plug.

Johnny Cueto was forced to leave his rehab start on Monday with forearm tightness. This is scary news for fantasy owners. Cueto has already been a disappointment with sub par numbers and blister issues and if Tommy John is needed it would certainly be bad news for fantasy and the Giants. The Giants expected Cueto to opt out after two years of his five year deal, but if this is anything serious, Cueto would be foolish to opt out.

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: Jeff Hoffman vs NYM

Streaming Hoffman last week did not work out well, but with it being a pretty bad lower slate, I’ll roll with him again against a Mets team that no longer has Lucas Duda.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Matt Moore vs Oak

Moore pitched better in his last start and draws the Athletics at home.