Roto Riteup: July 31, 2017

This is how I am feeling right now at the trade deadline in regards to my AL and NL only teams:

That was close! pic.twitter.com/GQnJRKsSDQ

— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) July 31, 2017

 

On the Agenda:

1. Trade Deadline

2. Various News and Notes

3. Streaming Pitcher Options

 

Trade Deadline

The Minnesota Twins moved newly acquired starter Jaime Garcia to the Yankees in exchange for minor league pitchers Zach Littell and Dietrich Enns. The Twins only had Garcia for a total of six days, but a recent skid changed the direction of the club in terms of this season. Garcia doesn’t hold much fantasy value outside of very deep formats.

The White Sox traded Melky Cabrera to the Royals for Andre Davis and A.J. Puckett. Melky is expected to become the Royals everyday right fielder and should bat near the top of the lineup. He is hitting .295/.336/.436 this season with 13 home runs.

The Detroit Tigers traded closer Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night according to the Detroit News. In return the Tigers received Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes. Candelario is a MLB ready third baseman that hits from both sides of the plate. Paredes is an 18-year-old shortstop who has been playing well in the Midwest League. Wilson will likely be a left-handed setup man for the Cubs and Avila assumes backup duties to Willson Contreras.

Jonathan Lucroy has been traded to the Rockies for a play to be named later. Lucroy has struggled this season and is hitting free agency after the season. A move back to the National League and to Colorado is probably the best thing that could happen for Lucroy, but it may not cure all that ails him as he has posted his lowest hard contact percentage and highest ground ball rate of his career.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reported yesterday that the Padres have lowered their asking price for Brad Hand. Initial reports were that San Diego wanted “top tier prospects” for the veteran lefty reliever, but it appears other teams scoffed at the price. It would not be surprising to see the Padres hold onto Hand if they can’t get a quality return.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the trade talks between the A’s and Yankees are in a holding pattern. Sherman tweeted out Sunday evening that both team felt they had already made serious concessions and don’t want to budge further.” Sherman also noted that the Yankees appear to be out on other major starters like Yu Darvish and Justin Verlander and are likely to not pursue anyone else of consequence if the Gray talks fall through.

Ken Rosenthal of MLB Network reported that the Red Sox’s “focus” is on Addison Reed. Reed has been fantastic as the Mets closer and is expendable since he is a free agent following this season and after acquiring A.J. Ramos from the Marlins last week.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Cleveland Indians have inquired about Yu Darvish. It seems to be an odd fit considering the Indians rotation is already pretty stacked with Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevinger and Josh Tomlin. However, after falling just short of winning the World Series last year, the Indians are obviously willing to push all their chips into the middle of the table.

 

Various News and Notes

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees Medical staff believe Gregory Bird could return by the end of August. Bird was a hot commodity in Spring after going on a tear in Spring Training, but since has been plagued by injury. This news and the rumors that first base was not a position that the Yankees were prioritizing lends one to believe that Bird is expected to be back healthy in the near future.

Josh Harrison left Sunday’s game with a leg injury. Harrison is having a very nice season hitting .278/.355/.428 with eleven home runs and eleven stolen bases. He is considered day-to-day at this time.

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: None

Really bad lower end of the slate.

 

A pitcher for tomorrow: Jeff Hoffman vs NYM

Streaming Hoffman last week did not work out well, but with it being a pretty bad lower slate, I’ll roll with him again against a Mets team that no longer has Lucas Duda and possibly others that could be moved.