Roto Riteup: August 10, 2017

I am super stoked about Players Weekend coming up later this month. Check out the awesome jerseys!

These are ridiculous and I love them. #PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/rH3X0ibVUD

— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) August 9, 2017

 

On the Agenda:

1. Trade!!! (and rumor)

2. Bird Flying Under the Radar?

3. End of the Line for Tulo?

4. Streaming Pitcher Options

 

 

Trade!!! (and a rumor)

Jay Bruce was acquired by the Cleveland Indians for a minor league pitcher. Bruce will slide into the Indians outfield with Michael Brantley hitting the DL yesterday after injuring his ankle on Tuesday. Bruce has had a Bruce-ian type year hitting .258/.324/.524 with 29 home runs. This will be the first time in his career he will have played in the American League, but he should fit nicely in the middle of the Indians lineup. The Mets received RHP Ryder Ryan in exchange for Bruce. Ryan was drafted last year in the 30th round and has struggled thus far in A-ball as a 22-year-old. He can be ignored in fantasy for now.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Brewers remain interested in possibly acquiring Ian Kinsler through a waiver trade. Kinsler in currently on waivers and there is no word yet on if any claims have been placed on him as of this writing. Kinsler has struggled this year after a fantastic year last season. Pitchers are not allowing him to pull the ball as much limiting his home run output which exploded last year. He should get some of the lost average back as he’s been a bit unlucky in the BABIP department. A move to Miller Park would be a nice move for park factors. However, according to Rosenthal, Milwaukee is on Ian Kinsler’s no trade list, so he would have to waive that part of his contract.

 

Bird Flying Under the Radar?

According to the New York Daily News, Greg Bird is on schedule to return from the DL during the upcoming homestand on August 11th-15th. Bird has been on the DL since May 2nd and struggled mightily before landing their, but much of that could be chalked up to the injury that landed him on the DL in the first place. The Yankees made a point of not trading for a veteran first baseman, so he could be a sneaky add in leagues where he has been dropped and a post hype sleeper heading into next year.

 

End of the Line for Tulo?

Troy Tulowitzki was transferred from the 10-day DL to the 60-Day DL. This will most likely end Tulo’s season. Heading into 2018, he will be a forgotten asset for good reason. Healthy and skill deterioration has contributed greatly to his decline. It is unlikely that he has much of anything left in the tank as far as fantasy goes.

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: Vince Velasquez vs. NYM

Velasquez gets a bad Mets team and is an interesting guy to monitor rest of the way for next year’s drafts.

 

A pitcher for tomorrow: Paul Blackburn vs BAL

Blackburn does not strike guys out, but if that isn’t what you are looking for, he has been very good so far at the Major League level. If you are looking for strikeout upside, Reynaldo Lopez is getting the call vs the Royals on Friday and offers some upside with a side of risk for blow ups.