Roto Riteup: August 2, 2022

Accurate representation:

MLB teams making trades in the 48-hours leading up to the trade deadline: pic.twitter.com/aGeuz9l5Eu

— MaximBet (@MaximBetUSA) August 1, 2022

On the Agenda: 

1. Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest
2. Closer Chaos
3. Trades (and rumors)!
4. Quick Hits
5. Streaming Pitchers

 

Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest

On most Tuesday’s and Friday’s and some other days, Paul Sporer and I will be doing a $5 draftkings game for anyone that is interested. Will add a link once available. 

 

Closer Chaos

Josh Hader was traded to the Padres for Taylor Rogers, Esteury Ruiz, Dinelson Lamet and Robert Gasser. This was the surprising move of the day as the Brewers are leading the NL Central and aren’t sellers, but clearly this was too good of a deal to pass up. Ruiz was optioned to AAA, but he could be a real difference maker in fantasy because of his speed at some point. With Hader gone, it seems Devin Williams would be the logical next man up and he could be a top tier closer rest of the way, but there is a chance that he splits opportunities with newly acquired Taylor Rogers. 

 

Trades (and rumors)!

Scott Effross was traded to the Yankees from the Cubs for Hayden Wesneski. Effross has been one of the best bullpen arms in Chicago this year and was likely the next man up as closer once the Cubs trade David Robertson and Mychal Givens, but he will be buried behind Clay Holmes in New York. Wesneski has been great in AAA this year, posting a 3.51 ERA in 89.2 innings with 83 strikeouts and he could debut with the Cubs before the end of the season. 

Garrett Cleveinger was traded to the Rays from the Dodgers for German Tapia. Cleavinger is a decent left handed bullpen arm, but likely won’t pitch in high leverage. Tapia is an 18-year-old in that is crushing in the Dominican Summer League, but it lead to this 80-grade tweet:

LEFT: Raimel Tapia

RIGHT: German Tapia https://t.co/r7bF6rGyRh pic.twitter.com/2H4o1n4JhS

— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) August 1, 2022

Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino were traded to the Yankees from the A’s for Cooper Bowman, JP Sears, Luis Medina, and Ken Waldichuk. Both Medina and Waldichuk are Major League ready, but there are concerns on whether Medina can stick as a starter because of chronically high walk rates. Medina has a sky high ceiling, but a low floor. Waldichuk profiles as a mid-rotation starter with a safer floor. Bowman is a high upside athlete that has struggled so far at the plate. Montas should enjoy the run support that comes with being a Yankee, but expect some regression in the ratios.

The Rays acquired Jose Siri from the Astros in a deal that sent Trey Mancini to the Astros with the Orioles receiving Seth Johnson and Chayce McDermott. Siri will likely be the main centerfielder for the Rays, though he has struggled offensively in his limited sample. Mancini should get a nice boost leaving Camden and should play everyday in the Astros great lineup. Seth Johnson is recovering from Tommy John Surgery, but he profiles as a potential #2 starter in the long term for the Orioles.

Tommy Pham was traded from the Reds to the Red Sox on Monday for a player to be named later. This was a salary dump move for the Reds as the Red Sox are picking up the remaining money owed making it low risk for Boston. Pham should figure into the middle of the Red Sox lineup and it would not be surprising if this move is followed by a trade of J.D. Martinez tomorrow.

The Red Sox traded Christian Vazquez on Monday to the Astros. Vazquez was visibly shaken after being told the news in Houston:

“It’s a business. It’s a business,” Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez said when asked what he thought about being traded to the Astros. He acknowledged being aware of the trade reports. #LevelUp #RedSox pic.twitter.com/MQbBz5mCvR

— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) August 1, 2022

Vazquez will likely become the lead catcher for Houston, but will likely see a lesser workload with the Astros with Martin Maldanado still on the roster. The Red Sox also acquired Reese McGuire for Jake Diekman on Monday from the White Sox to add to their catching depth.

Luke Weaver was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Royals for Emmanuel Rivera. Neither player has much fantasy value outside of the deepest of leagues.

Jake Odorizzi was traded from the Astros to the Braves for Will Smith. Odorizzi gives the Braves much needed rotation depth, but leaves a division with some atrocious bottom feeder teams and moves to a slightly worse stadium. Smith will continue to be a middle reliever in Houston.

Robbie Grossman was traded from the Tigers to the Braves on Monday. Grossman likely is nothing more than outfield depth after struggling mightily this season, but he could find time as a backup or if Eddie Rosario continues to struggle.

The Pirates traded Jose Quintana and Chris Stratton to the Cardinals for Malcom Nunez and Johan Oviedo. Quintana has quietly been really good this season and moves to one of the best possible locations with a good park and a great defense behind him. Oviedo and Nunez are former prospects of note but are more high risk/high reward lottery tickets.

 

Quick Hits

Kris Bryant was placed on the IL with plantar fasciitis. There is no timetable for his return. 

Jon Gray left Monday’s start with left side discomfort. This sounds like the dreaded oblique injury which could sideline him for 4-6 weeks. Consider him day-to-day at this time, but be ready to move on in leagues where you can’t hold him. 

Tarik Skubal was removed from his start on Monday with arm fatigue. Hopefully this is just precautionary. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today:  Spencer Howard vs BAL

This has some risk, but the options today aren’t great. 

High Risk Options: Graham Ashcraft at MIA, Jordan Lyles at TEX, Chris Archer vs DET. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

Some interesting two start options but none I want to hitch my wagon too. 

High Risk Options: Madison Bumgarner at CLE, Justin Steele at STL, Kyle Bradish at TEX. 

 

For those of you that would like to see how these picks play out, I have a doc I put together to track the stats from the recommended pitchers. It does not include the “High Risk Options.”