Roto Riteup: July 7, 2018

by
July 7, 2018

Remember kids, owning your mistakes and apologizing is the right thing to do.

On The Agenda:
1. Rumors!
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitchers

Rumors!
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reported that teams “aren’t close” to offering the Orioles what they want in a deal for Manny Machado.


There are a number of teams that have been linked to Machado dating all the way back to Spring Training. There was a great article scanning through a ton of the scenarios on MLB Trade Rumors.


Regardless of where Machado winds up, he’ll still be a top-tier option in fantasy. Personally, I prefer him staying in the American League. His power and plate skills will play anywhere but changing leagues and ballparks could yield a possible learning curve that effects his numbers. Not to mention if he were to switch leagues, “mono” formats would have a field day if he entered the player pool. This seems like a pretty decent year to stack some FAAB in preparation for the trade deadline if you are indeed in an AL/NL Only league.

Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that the Yankees are interested in trading for Mike Moustakas and possibly moving him to first base.


Obviously Moustakas in pinstripes would be amazing news for fantasy owners. He’s currently in the fourth-worst park for LHB home runs over the last three years and would be heading to the best park in that category. From a defensive perspective there could be issues, he’s only played two career games at first base. However, if he does end up in New York it would be massive boom to his value, and a downgrade to Greg Bird/Neil Walker. Moustakas hit his 17th home run last night against a possible AL East foe in the Red Sox, and is sporting a .258/.312/.478 line for the year.

 

Various News and Notes
According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Chris Archer is set to be activated from the 10-day disabled list for a start against the Tigers on Monday. Topkin mentions that Archer will be working on a limited pitch count (around 75 pitches). He’s been on the shelf since June 5th due to an abdominal injury, but looked no worse for wear in his rehab start for High-A Charlotte on Tuesday.


Carlos Carrasco allowed home runs to Dustin Fowler and Matt Olson in his first two innings pitched against the Athletics on Friday, but only yielded one more run the rest of the way en route to 5.1 IP of three-run ball with seven strikeouts and no walks. This was Carrasco’s first start after missing the last three weeks with a bruised right elbow.

Felix Pena had another decent outing against the Dodgers on Friday – allowing 2 ER on 3 H with 8 K and 1 BB over 5.1 IP. While he has yet to throw a quality start over 4 GS thus far, he’s allowed 6 ER over 19 IP to go along with a 25/6 K:BB ratio. Home runs have been a consistent issue with him (2.1 HR/9 in 25 games last year, 3 HR in 25 IP this season), but he’s delivered double-digit swinging-strikes in all four starts with a 50% GB rate as well. He’s starting to become interesting, keep an eye on him in deeper leagues.

Speaking of strong recent performances, Jordan Zimmermann held the Rangers to 1 ER (Shin-Soo Choo solo-shot in the first inning) over 8 IP. He allowed four hits in the outing, but struck out a whopping 11 batters without a walk. Over his last three starts he’s yielded 2 ER over 20 IP with a 20/1 K:BB ratio. All three of his opponents (OAK, TOR, TEX) have been top-8 units in wRC+ over the last 30 days. I’m not going to tell you to pick up Zimmermann as of yet, but it’s something to watch if he throws another gem at Tropicana Field against the Rays his next time out. The Tigers last month features matchups against the Twins, Indians, Astros, Cardinals, Yankees, White Sox, and Brewers.

According to Giants manager Bruce Bochy, Joe Panik is set to be placed on the 10-day disabled list after leaving Friday’s game against the Cardinals with a left groin strain.


Since returning from a thumb injury that sidelined him for about a month, Panik has hit .213/.295/.306 with 1 HR, 1 SB, and a 65 wRC+. Alen Hanson should receive the bulk of the playing time at the keystone until Panik returns. Austin Slater came into the game for Panik upon his departure, but the Giants figure to continue to mix things up in the outfield moving forward.

According to Bruce Levine, Kris Bryant had a successful hitting session in the batting cage on Friday.


Things seem optimistic on Bryant for the time being. He’s been out the last two weeks due to a shoulder ailment and it seems like a rehab assignment will be in order. Fantasy owners will hope he can get better for a stretch run in the second half. He’s posted a .280/.383./.481 line with 9 HR, 40 R, 36 RBI, and 2 SB. The Cubs will have some potentially highly-competitive games over the last month – facing teams like the Cardinals, Brewers, Diamondbacks, and Nationals.

Avisail Garcia hit a two-run home run off of Brad Peacock on Friday, his only hit in four at-bats. He’s rapidly gaining steam in the ownership department, going all the way up to almost 50% in ESPN leagues. It comes with good reason, as he’s hitting .423 with eight XBH (4 HR) over 26 AB this month. His skills in tandem with the lineup around him don’t scream “upside,” but he’s a solid OF4 in mixed formats moving forward.

Dylan Bundy allowed 5 ER in 3.1 IP against the Twins in his return from the disabled list on Friday. He missed about two weeks with a left ankle sprain and was showing the affects of that last night. He sat between 90-92 with his fastball and threw 40-of-60 pitches for strikes. Things will always be up-and-down with Bundy. He came into July with a 1.98 ERA over his last four starts, but had a 6.12 mark over the 6 GS prior. If you own him, it’s going to be an enjoyable/irritating ride.

Ronald Acuna exited Friday’s game against the Brewers in the seventh inning due to left groin soreness. It is not expected to be serious and had no correlation with his previously injured knee.


Walker Buehler is set to participate in a five-inning simulated game on Sunday after throwing a successful bullpen session on Friday.


If Buehler makes it through the game ok he should be activated soon after. He’s posted a 3.44 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, and a 54% GB in 52 IP in the majors this season. Keep him stashed wherever possible in shallower formats.

According to Giants manager Bruce Bochy, the club is hoping Evan Longoria will be ready to return from the disabled list sometime in early-August. He’s been out since mid-June with a fracture in his left hand.

Paul deJong went 1-for-3 with two runs scored out of the sixth spot in the lineup against the Giants in his return to the Cardinals lineup on Friday. He had been out since May 17th due to a fractured left hand that required surgery. He was hitting .260/.351/.473 with 8 HR prior to going down.

Mitch Haniger missed his second-straight game – third overall on the year – due to a knee injury.


Hopefully he makes his way back into the lineup today, but if not, it shouldn’t be too much longer. Fantasy owners have been spoiled by Haniger’s performance this year, as he’s posted a .269/.351/.491 line with 17 HR, 62 RBI, and 4 SB in 320 AB. He’s been a top-30 hitter in fantasy according to the ESPN Player Rater.

Jenrry Mejia has been reinstated by the MLB from a permanent suspension and is eligible to return to the Mets as early as 2019.


Mejia compiled a 3.65 ERA and 1.48 WHIP as the Mets closer in 2014. It came with a 50% GB, 23.5% K and 10% BB, but that was four seasons ago. There’s obviously no way to know whether he’ll be considered late in the game for the Mets – or whether he’s even any good anymore – but keeper/dynasty league owners could take a flier on a reliever with solid skills and see what happens.

Brent Suter was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a forearm issue. Aaron Wilkerson will take his spot today.

Stephen Strasburg is set to make a rehab start on Tuesday according to Nationals manager Dave Martinez.


If things go well he should be set to throw one more rehab start before getting clearance to join the Nationals rotation after the All-Star break. Strasburg hasn’t started a game since June 8th due to shoulder inflammation. He’s still a top-30 starter on the ESPN Player Rater. Just behind Marco Gonzales, Kyle Freeland, Tyler Skaggs, Sean Newcomb, and Mike Clevinger.

 

Streaming Pitchers
A Pitcher for Today: None
Hail-Mary Option: Anibal Sanchez at MIL
The Brewers own the fourth-highest K% against RHP (25%) and Sanchez has a 25% K on the road this season (4.23 xFIP). It’s Anibal Sanchez in Milwaukee – there’s obvious risk – but the streaming options are lacking today.

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Domingo German at TOR
Hail-Mary Option: Nathan Eovaldi at NYM/ Jake Odorizzi vs BAL (If Available)





 

Fantasy Baseball and Tampa Bay Rays enthusiast. Restaurant manager by day, fantasy analyst by night. Contributor to Rotographs, Baseball HQ, Fantasy Pros, and co-owner of Friends with Fantasy Benefits. Follow me @MikeWernerFWFB.

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