Roto Riteup: July 28, 2021

The force is strong with this one:

For some reason I felt this clip needed this. Thoughts @Padres? #FriarFaithful #Padres pic.twitter.com/0ETo3OCwGh

— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) July 27, 2021

 

On the Agenda: 

1. Trades and Rumors!!!
2. COVID Issues
3. Quick Hits
4. Various News and Notes
5. Streaming Pitchers

 

Trades and Rumors!!! 

According to multiple reports, Max Scherzer would prefer to be traded to a West Coast team. Initial reports stated that Scherzer would waive his no trade clause to go to a contender, but apparently there is a caveat to that. All three of the contending teams in the NL West should be interested as well as the Mariners, Athletics, and Angels, but what remains to be seen is if they will pay the price for a rental on a 37-year-old pitcher that is currently hurt. 

According to multiple reports, the Padres are looking to move Eric Hosmer in a deal to give them more financial flexibility for other moves and stay under the luxury tax threshold. Hosmer is owed almost $60 million for the next four years and there is speculation that in order for a team to take a portion of that contract on, the Padres would likely have to send a pretty good prospect as well. This all seems a bit unlikely, but who knows with A.J. Preller running the show in San Diego. 

According to Jon Morosi of MLB.cam, the Mariners are interested in Trea Turner. This makes some sense considering the Mariners are likely looking to compete next year as well as the rest of this season. The question becomes whether they would move J.P. Crawford as part of the deal or move either Crawford or Turner to a different position.

The Mariners traded Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero to the Astros for Abraham Toro and Joe Smith. The Mariners are going to be doing a bit of buying and selling over the next few days and while some were surprised at them trading Graveman, it makes a bit of sense. They are getting a Major League ready prospect in Toro for Graveman who is in the last year of his deal. Toro likely becomes the everyday third baseman for Seattle next season as they are unlikely to exercise the team option on Kyle Seager. Graveman and Montero both add nice depth for Houston’s bullpen. Paul Sewald is likely the next man up as the Marner’s closer. 

The Mariners also traded for Tyler Anderson from the Pirates in exchange for Carter Bins and Joaquin Tejada on Tuesday. This one was a bit strange as originally Anderson was reportedly traded to Philadelphia, but the trade fell through and the Mariners jumped on it. Anderson will add some nice depth to the Mariners rotation. Bins doesn’t profile as much in terms of a fantasy option, but Tejada is a nice 18-year-old lottery ticket that has some strikeout upside. 

The Yankees traded Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson to the Reds for a player to be named later. This is a bit curious as many expect the Yankees to be buyers. It definitely helps the Reds as they need a lot of bullpen help. 

COVID Issues

Trea Turner left the game in the first inning while running the bases after a positive test for COVID-19 came back. This was really weird and unfortunate for Turner, but it is likely he hits the COVID IL for a bit. Luis Garcia is expected to be called up on Wednesday to take his place on the roster. 

 

Quick Hits

Taylor Rodgers was placed on the IL with a finger sprain. This is poor timing for Rodgers who was being shopped in trades. He could still get moved, but considering he is under team control for another season, the Twins may decide to wait until the offseason now. 

Hansel Robles left Tuesday’s outing with apparent heat related dizziness. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

Mitch Garver left Tuesday’s game with a wrist injury after being hit on the hand. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

C.J. Cron left Tuesday’s game with a groin injury. He is expected to undergo further testing on Wednesday. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

 

Various News and Notes

Sam Hilliard went  3-for-3 with a home run in the victory over the Angels. 

Sam Hilliard – Colorado Rockies (4) pic.twitter.com/JDQj64s8IQ

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 28, 2021

Hilliard has been a trendy sleeper for years now, but he struggled to make enough contact to get a full time role. With the Rockies being sellers, he could find himself in a more regular playing time moving forward and a real opportunity.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today:  Eric Lauer at PIT.

Lauer has been really good recently and has a great matchup in Pittsburgh versus a selling Pirates team. 

High Risk Options:  Zach Davies vs CIN, Tanner Houck vs TOR, Wily Peralta at MIN. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow:  None

Tempted to use a number of these high risk options, but there’s a bit too much risk for me. 

High Risk Options:  Drew Smyly at NYM, Alex Cobb vs OAK, Alec Mills vs CIN, Kyle Freeland at SD, Chad Kuhl vs MIL. 

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.”