Roto Riteup: July 25, 2017

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, #HugWatch has spilled over into the Fangraphs offices:

Rumors are that Fangraphs is shopping me, but that no one wants to take on the money involved which is quite minimal. #HugWatch

— Justin Mason (@JustinMasonFWFB) July 25, 2017

 

On the Agenda:

1. Royals Buying?

2. Trade Rumors!

3. Various News and Notes

4. Streaming Pitcher Options

 

Royals Buying?

The Kansas City Royal made a trade on Monday, acquiring Trevor Cahill, Brandon Maurer, and Ryan Butcher from the San Diego Padres for Matt Strahm, Esteury Ruiz, and Travis Wood. Cahill has enjoyed a bounceback year, but has struggle a bit since returning from the DL. Maurer will lose a lot of value leaving San Diego as he will most likely move into a set up role in Kansas City. The Royals had long been considered a potential sellers appear to be going “all-in” this season in spite of the fact they have multiple pending free agents. However, considering the return that a pending free agent like J.D. Martinez received in his trade to Arizona and the fact the Royals are only a few games back in the Central and lead the second Wild Card, it isn’t too surprising to see them actually buying. However, it is unlikely that they make any more major moves considering they have very little in their farm system to begin with.

On the Padres side of the deal, they acquire an interesting arm in Strahm that is recovering from knee surgery, but should be ready for next year and a prospect in Ruiz, that was climbing up prospect lists. Manager Andy Green said following the trade, that Brad Hand, Phil Maton, Kirby Yates, and Carter Capps could be in the mix for saves going forward. With Hand being a hot name on the market, I am grabbing Maton in most formats.

 

Trade Rumors!

According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Cubs continue to inquire about Justin Verlander and have added interest in Alex Avila. The Cubs have been a major player in trade rumors so far, but lack the top prospects because of previous trades and promotions to the big leagues that some targets might require. Verlander has had a down year and could have a reduced price on the market considering how much money is left on his current deal. Avila will be a free agent after this year and could be easily acquired in a deal.

According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pirates are “leaning against trading (Andrew) McCutchen.” McCutchen has an option for 2018, but there has been no indication on whether or not that would be exercised. McCutchen has enjoyed a bounceback campaign in 2017, hitting .291/.382/.511 with eighteen home runs and nine stolen bases. The option for next season would certainly make him a trade candidate for the offseason as the Pirates would not want the face of their franchise to walk without getting something for him.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Rangers look unlikely to trade Yu Darvish at the deadline. The Rangers have reportedly been gauging interest around the league on Darvish, but considering they are within a few games of a Wild Card spot, they may decide to hold pat and see what happens. With Clayton Kershaw being put on the shelf (see below), the twittersphere went wild with speculation that the Dodgers could make an aggressive move to acquire Darvish, but it appears that this may be unlikely to be accomplished.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Mariners might “make a run” at Sonny Gray. Gray is enjoying a bounceback season after he disappointed last season, mainly due to injury. This would be an interesting move by Seattle as they have already moved one outfield prospect for pitching last week when they traded Tyler O’Neil for Marco Gonzalez. There was speculation that this was close to happening on Monday when prospect Kyle Lewis left Monday night’s contest mid-game, but that appears to be injury related. Joel Sherman also reported that the Braves are getting “more involved” in the Gray Sweepstakes as well as the Yankees, Brewers, Twins, Indians, and Astros that have all expressed different levels of interest, however, Ken Rosenthal stated Monday that the Brewers appear to be fading in the competition.

Mark Feinsand also reported that Pat Neshek’s market is getting competitive. The reliever is being being closely watched by the Nationals, Dodgers and Red Sox.

 

Various News and Notes

Clayton Kershaw has been placed on the 10-day DL and initial reports expect him to miss 4-6 weeks with the back injury that he sustained on Sunday. This is devastating news to fantasy owners as Kershaw was having a fantastic season and likely in the conversation for the number one overall pick for 2018.

Wilson Ramos left Monday’s game after being hit in the head with a bat on Ruben Tejada’s backswing.

Scary scene in Tampa as Wilson Ramos took a bat off his head in the 5th. pic.twitter.com/iCXyslSkCl

— Stadium (@watchstadium) July 25, 2017

Ramos received six staples at the hospital to close the laceration the injury caused. He could likely hit the 7 or 10-day DL, but should be considered day-to-day for now.

Jaime Garcia was traded from Atlanta to the Twins on Monday… and no one cares.

Justin Bour was removed from Monday’s game with an oblique injury which will land him on the DL for the next few weeks. #RIP his trade value.

George Springer left Monday’s game with a quad injury. The injury isn’t expected to land him on the DL Springer stated after the game, but the Astros are recalling Derek Fisher from the minors, so expect Springer to miss the next few games either way.

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: None

Thought hard about Wade Miley and Edwin Jackson here, but I just can’t.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Jeff Hoffman @ STL

Hoffman has struggled a bit as of late, but has been a much better pitcher on the road than in Coors.