Roto Riteup: July 22, 2025

This is how you save the game!

On the Agenda: 

1. Closer Chaos
2. Trades Rumors
3. Quick Hits
4. Various News and Notes
5. Streaming Pitchers

 

Closer Chaos

Tanner Scott left Monday’s game with a forearm injury.

This does not sound good as this is often a precursor to a more serious injury. He is expected to undergo an MRI. Kirby Yates got the save in relief of Scott and is likely the next man up, but it would not be surprising if they traded for someone at the deadline.

David Robertson signed a one-year deal with the Phillies. He is an interesting spec with how volatile the Phillies bullpen has been this season.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that David Bednar and Ryan Helsely are likely to be moved. The Bednar report is a change from recent seasons when the Pirates were unwilling to move the fan favorite closer. He would make a lot of sense for any competitor looking to strengthen their bullpens. Helsley was rumored to be on the lock before the season, but the Cardinals have been competitive though they have fallen out of the division race recently.

 

Trade Rumors
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs and JP Sears are all potential trade candidates. Severino has been vocal about wanting a trade, but he also just signed a contract and would be the most difficult to be moved. Springs seems the most likely of the trio to be moved.

According to Patrick Mooney of the Athletic, the Cubs are interested in Eugenio Suarez. Suarez hit his 36th home run of the season on Monday which leads the National League. He is a free agent at the end of the season, so the return wouldn’t likely be prohibitive for the Cubs or any other team. The Yankees are another team that has been linked to Suarez recently as well.

According to Jeff Passan, Seth Lugo is likely to be traded at the deadline. This makes sense as the Royals are falling out of the race this season and Lugo is on an expiring deal. Lugo would make sense for a number of teams including the Cubs, Red Sox, and Yankees.

 

Quick Hits
Ha-Seong Kim 김하성 left Monday’s game with back tightness. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Alec Burleson left Monday’s game with a leg injury after fouling a pitch off of his foot.

He was able to stay in the game initially but was pulled later. X-rays were negative following the game. Consider him day-to-day for now.

 

Various News and Notes
Jac Caglianone went 1-for-3 with a home run in the victory over the Cubs on Monday.

Caglianone has struggled since his callup, hitting just .149/.211/.291, but he has five home runs and a stolen base in 152 plate appearances. His max EV is in the top 8% of the league and he is making good contact. His xBA is at .256 so he is a nice buy low right now.

Matt Shaw went 2-for-4 with a home run in the loss to the Royals on Monday.

Shaw has struggled this season, hitting .216/.288/.321 with four home runs and 12 stolen bases in 243 plate appearances. His barrel and hard hit rates are pretty terrible as well. He has been hot as of late though, with four straight games with hits including two home runs in his last three games. The talent is there for him to be a very good accumulator but his lack of pop may be a problem if he can’t do more with the bat.

Josh Jung went 2-for-2 with a home run in the victory over the A’s on Monday.

Jung struggled early in the season before being sent down to the minors. This was a nice way to return. Talent has not really been in question for the former top prospect, but he has struggled with health. He is healthy now, so this may be the time to buy.

Brice Matthews went 2-for-4 with two home runs in the victory over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Matthews hasn’t done much since his callup, but there is power and speed in the profile. He struggles to make consistent contact. If he can make even league average contact, he has some pretty nice upside.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Stephen Kolek at MIA

Kolek has a great matchup in his return to the Majors. 

Other Options: Eduardo Rodriguez vs HOU, Joey Cantillo vs BAL, Frankie Montas vs LAA, Richard Fitts at PHI, Davis Daniel vs SD. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: JP Sears at TEX

Sears has been up and down this year, but this is a good matchup in a good park. 

Other Options: Slade Cecconi vs BAL, Charlie Morton at CLE, Brandon Walter at ARI, Mike Soroka vs CIN, Jonathan Cannon at TB. 

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 my recommended pitchers. It does not include the “Other Options.”