Roto Riteup: July 30, 2021

Same:

Me at the trade deadline every year pic.twitter.com/SnmD3sF0Z2

— Chelsea Ladd (@chelseabrooke) July 29, 2021

 

On the Agenda: 

1. Closer Chaos
2. Trades and Rumors!!!
3. COVID Issues
4. Quick Hits
5. Streaming Pitchers

 

Closer Chaos

Brad Hand was traded to the Blue Jays for Riley Adams. Hand seems likely to take over the closer role in Toronto to at least share it with Jordan Romano. With Daniel Hudson getting traded as well, Kyle Finnegan appears to be the first man up in Washington and he got the first opportunity on Thursday in the first half of a doubleheader against the Phillies. His main competition, Tanner Rainey, blew the save in the second half of the doubleheader on Thursday as well. 

 

Trades and Rumors!!! 

The Yankees acquired Joey Gallo and Joely Rodriguez from the Rangers for Trevor Hauver, Ezequiel Duran, Josh Smith, and Glenn Otto. Gallo’s value doesn’t change a ton moving to New York, but it will be a better lineup and park. The Rangers get some interesting prospects including Duran who has some nice upside in the power department and Hauver who seems like a high floor kind of prospect with decent pop and on base skills. 

The White Sox Acquired Cesar Hernandez from the Indians for Konnor Pilkington. Hernandez has been very good since May, hitting 17 home runs while hitting at the top of the order for the Indians. If he can continue to hit at the top for the White Sox, he becomes very sneaky as a middle infielder that racks up runs. 

The Yankees acquired Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs for Kevin Alcantara and Alexander Vizcaino. This was a nice deal for both sides as the Yankees got a good first baseman and the Cubs got a really high upside prospect in Alcantara. This effectively ends the Yankees chance of landing Trevor Story and likely means they will look to move Luke Voit before the deadline. 

Eduardo Escobar was traded from the Brewers on Wednesday for Alberto Ciprian and Cooper Hummel. Escobar was long rumored to be going to the White Sox, but apparently the two teams could never finalize anything. Escobar will likely become a super utility player for the Brewers, but there are quite a few paths to playing time. 

Danny Duffy was traded to the Dodgers on Wednesday for a player to be named later. Duffy is on the IL currently, but is working his way back. If he can make it back to the Majors at some point, he would likely work out of the bullpen as the Dodgers rotation is pretty stacked. 

Diego Castillo was traded from the Rays to the Mariners for J.T. Chargois and Austin Shenton. This is a bit surprising especially since the Ray just placed Pete Fairbanks on the IL with shoulder inflammation. Castillo could factor into the ninth for the Mariners along with Paul Sewald. 

The Mets and Cubs are discussing a trade for Kris Bryant and Zach Davies according to Jon Heyman. This is not surprising as the Mets could use some added rotation help and some more pop in the top of the lineup. There are multiple teams interested in Bryant, so expect him to be moved quickly on Friday. 

The Red Sox acquired Kyle Schwarber from the Nationals for Aldo Ramirez. Schwarber is still working his way back from injury, but will be a nice force if he can return as hot as he left. Ramirez is a nice upside pitching prospect that has been pitching well this year in Low-A. 

The Dodgers acquired Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Nationals for Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey. This was quite a surprise as there were reports the Padres landed Scherzer. It will be interesting to see if Turner moves to centerfield with Corey Seager likely returning in the next week or two. The Nationals get two top tier prospects that are MLB ready in Ruiz and Gray and two high risk prospects in Carrillo and Casey that should be in the Majors at some point in 2022 or 2023.  

The Nationals traded Daniel Hudson to the Padres for Jordan Barley and Mason Thompson. Hudson likely becomes a set-up man in the Padres pen. Thompson is a decent bullpen arm that could find his way to a closer’s role at some point, but the prize here is Barley. Barley has been a great speed asset in the minors, stealing 33 bases on 39 attempts this year in High-A. If his hit tool can develop, he could end up being a nice piece in fantasy. 

 

COVID Issues

The Nationals placed Trea Turner, Daniel Hudson, Alex Avila, and Austin Voth on the COVID IL. We knew that Turner and three other players had tested positive for COVID and we now know the others. Hudson is expected to be traded before the deadline and Turner already has, so it doesn’t appear that this will prevent players from being moved. 

 

Quick Hits

Bryce Harper left Thursday’s game with back spasms. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

Rhys Hoskins left Thursday’s game with groin soreness. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

The Cubs placed Nico Hoerner on the IL with an oblique strain. He is likely out until September and is droppable in all redraft leagues. 

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today:  Trevor Williams at WAS

This may look like a minor league game with both these teams selling. 

High Risk Options:  Matt Harvey at DET, Ross Stripling vs KC, Ryan Weathers vs COL. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow:  Marco Gonzales at TEX

Gonzales has pitched well as of late and is facing a Gallo-less Rangers team in Texas. 

High Risk Options:  Merrill Kelly 켈리 vs LAD, Triston McKenzie at CHW, Matt Manning vs BAL. 

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.”