Roto Riteup: August 8, 2015

This morning’s Roto Riteup fully endorses the #IDenounceCistulli movement and encourages you to participate.

On today’s agenda:
1. Goodbye Mike Napoli, Hello Travis Shaw
2. The Michael Bourn Ultimatum
3. Various news and notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

Goodbye Mike Napoli, Hello Travis Shaw
The Red Sox moved Mike Napoli to the Rangers yesterday, getting nothing in return despite the first baseman’s recent hot streak. Napoli will bring his 89 wRC+ back to the Lone Star state, where he will play in a platoon role behind Mitch Moreland. Napoli isn’t worth owning in any traditional leagues, but he’ll be a useful DFS play.

With Napoli out of the way, Shaw will take over as Boston’s everyday first baseman and will get an audition for next season. Shaw, a former ninth round pick, has shown promise at times in his minor league career, but he mostly projects as a mediocre starter, or likely corner infield bench bat. If Shaw can manage to be a league average hitter over the last seven weeks of the season, there’s a chance he can hold onto the job for next year, but it’s unlikely the Red Sox will be willing to settle at such an important offensive position.

The Michael Bourn Ultimatum
Bourn and Nick Swisher were sent to the Braves yesterday in return for infielder Chris Johnson in a swap of bad contracts. The Braves can trot out numbers about Swisher’s exit velocity all they like, but he’s done as a fantasy option and likely done as a productive major leaguer. The same goes for Johnson, whose best bet is delivering a .260 average wherever he plays.

Bourn, however, may have some life left in him. The outfielder has hit .297 since July 1 thanks to a massively inflated BABIP, but the good news is that he’s stolen seven bases in that stretch while being caught just once. If Bourn can hit just .250, he can be a back end SB option for those chasing an extra point or two in their roto leagues.

Various news and notes

R.A. Dickey tossed another solid game yesterday, holding the Yankees to a single run over seven innings. Dickey only struck out three, but this is his sixth straight quality start, a streak in which he has yet to walk more than two batters in a start.

Hector Olivera will be up with the Braves within two weeks, and will take over as their starting third baseman from day one. Olivera has a hamstring injury that’s holding him back at the moment.

J.D. Martinez has hit his 30th homer of the season, raising his batting line to .291/.351/.565 on the year.

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Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: Martin Perez at SEA (Michael Montgomery)
Perez may not be completely back after TJ, but he’s shown flashes and gets the lefty-heavy Mariners.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Mike Fiers at OAK (Chris Bassitt)
Fiers in a big ballpark against a poor lineup? Yes please.