Roto Riteup: July 28, 2023

Votto holds nothing back

"You are the best, I love you."@JoeyVotto showers @MadDogUnleashed with love, debates top 5 Yankees and talks about the @Reds push for the Postseason. #HighHeat pic.twitter.com/DuwzyVC695

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 27, 2023

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. 

 

Closer Chaos

Daniel Robertson was traded to the Marlins for Marco Vargas and Ronald Hernandez. Robertson seems likely to take over the ninth inning for AJ Puk who has struggled as of late. Both prospects are teenagers that don’t have a lot of long term projection for fantasy. 

Brooks Raley 레일리 threw a scoreless inning to register the save on Thursday. With the trade of David Robertson to the Marlins, Raley could be in line for saves though Adam Ottavino seems like the most likely option unless he is traded too. 

 

Trades and Rumors!

Multiple reports state that the Rays, Rangers, and Dodgers are interested in Lance Lynn. Lynn has a no trade clause that the Rays are on, but considering he is likely a free agent at the end of the year (he has a team option that will likely be declined), he might be willing to waive the clause in order to pitch for a contender. 

Dylan Floro was traded to the Twins for Jorge Lopez. This is just a reliever swap but it doesn’t seem likely that either factor into saves for their new teams. 

Amed Rosario was traded to the Dodgers for Noah Syndergaard on Wednesday. This is a weird trade as the Guardians don’t really need a bad starter and the Dodgers aren’t really in need of a poor defensive shortstop. This helps Rosario’s fantasy value as it is a better park and lineup. 

The Angels acquired Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the White Sox for Edgar Quero and Ky Bush. This was pretty surprising as many thought that the Angels might be sellers at the deadline, but clearly they are taking a run at a playoff spot with it being Ohtani’s last season under contract. Lopez likely figures into middle relief, but Giolito gets a little bit of a bump in value with the offense behind him in Anaheim. Both prospects were considered some of the best in the Angels system, so this was a good return for the White Sox. According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Angels have also inquired about Jeimer Candelario, so it appears there may be more moves on the horizon for them as well. 

Carlos Santana was traded to the Brewers on Thursday for Jhonny Severino. Santana makes a lot of sense for the Brewers as a cheap first base option with Rowdy Tellez hurt. He figures to hit in the middle of the lineup. 

Multiple reports state that the Cardinals and Dodgers have discussed a trade involving Nolan Arenado. This would be a big move and like be a sign that the Cardinals are looking to go into full rebuild mode as opposed to just reloading for next season. The Cardinals have been at the center of rumors for almost all their pitchers as well as Paul Goldschmidt, Tyler O’Neill, and Paul deJong.

 

Quick Hits

Jesse Winker was placed on the IL on Wednesday with back spasms. There is no timetable for his return. 

Willson Contreras with a head injury. It apparently was a laceration and not a concussion which is good news. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: None

A lot of high risk options, but none I feel great about. 

High Risk Options: Brady Singer vs MIN, Kutter Crawford at SF, Reese Olson at MIA, Brandon Williamson at LAD, Tommy Henry 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow:  Jameson Taillon at STL

Taillon has pitched well of late and has a nice matchup in a good park. 

High Risk Options: Clarke Schmidt, Ryne Nelson vs SEA, Julio Teheran at ATL, Johnny Cueto vs DET. 

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 “High Risk Options.”