Roto Riteup: July 9, 2018

Starting off the week is a challenge sometimes.

YOU BLEW IT! pic.twitter.com/hb4ZYQ4daQ

— MLB (@MLB) July 8, 2018

On the Agenda:
1. Trade!
2. Rumors!
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitchers

Trade!
Cory Gearrin, Austin Jackson, and Jason Bahr were traded by the Giants to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named later. This is an extremely uneventful trade that has some minor impacts on both teams. For the Giants, it sheds some payroll, which could allow them to make a move at the deadline and it opens up a spot for AFL superstar Steven Duggar. Duggar has hit .272/.354/.421 with four home runs and 11 stolen bases in AAA Sacramento this year. For the Rangers, Gearrin is a nice add to their putried bullpen and Jackson helps to add to the roadblocks for Willie Calhoun who apparently the Texas front office hates.

Rumors!
According to Bob Elliott of the Canadian Baseball Network, the Chicago Cubs may be interested in trading for J.A. Happ. With Yu Darvish still not pitching and Tyler Chatwood resembling a floating dumpster fire, the Cubs may be looking for a short-term solution in their rotation. Happ has improved his strikeout rate and appeared to be in linie for his best season of his career before struggling over his last four starts. Happ would be a nice cheaper addition for the Cubs, but will be sought after by a number of teams in the playoff race.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers and Brewers appear to be in the lead of the Manny Machado sweepstakes. Rosenthal also mentioned that the Indians, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Braves, and Cubs have all been in contact with the Orioles on the All-Star shortstop. Machado would be a huge get for any team, but reportedly the asking price has been very high considering he is in the last year of his deal. The Orioles have to get something back for him, so they don’t have much leverage in this situation, but they appear to be doing their best to get the best possible price.

Various News and Notes
According to general manager David Stearns, Jimmy Nelson will likely not be able to pitch in the Majors before September. The Brewers starter had a breakout season in 2017 which unfortunately ended in a shoulder injury that has ruined his 2018 season. If you have been stashing him, he can be dropped in most formats.

Alex Cobb was removed from his start on Sunday versus the Twins after developing a blister on his index finger. Cobb wasn’t pitching particularly well before suffering the blister and he has been mostly awful this season, so I don’t even know why I am writing about him.

Tommy Pham was forced out of the game versus the Giants on Sunday with an ankle contusion. According to Derrick Goold, Pham had x-rays done, but there was no fracture. He will likely miss a game or two, but this doesn’t appear to be something major.

Yasiel Puig left Sunday’s game versus the Angels with an oblique strain. This is unfortunate news as it will land him on the according to manager Dave Roberts and with the All-Star Break approaching, he be out a while.

Streaming Pitchers Options
A pitcher for today: Andrew Suarez vs CHC
Suarez now has a rotation spot with Derek Holland in the bullpen and Chris Stratton demoted.

Stratton to AAA pic.twitter.com/6ewb1suFz8

— Justin Mason (@JustinMasonFWFB) July 7, 2018

A pitcher for tomorrow: Jeremy Hellickson vs PIT
Ignore the last start when he was sick, Hellickson has been pretty good for the Nationals this year. Not a great play if you are in a QS league as he has only gone six innings or more once this year.