Tigers Strengthen Farm System in Deadline Moves

Let’s take a closer look at the fantasy ramifications of the two Tigers moves.

Braves get Shane Greene

Tigers get Travis Demeritte, Joey Wentz

The Braves needed bullpen even before their blown save on Wednesday afternoon. They held on and got the win in the 10th inning, but they really attacked their bullpen with Greene joining Chris Martin and Mark Melancon as the new acquisitions. In Greene, they get a righty in the midst of his best season yet. He has a 29% K rate and 8% BB rate in his 38 innings of work. I think he’ll assume the closer’s role, pushing Luke Jackson the 7th-8th inning range. No one thinks his .178 BABIP will maintain, but he’s pitching well enough to expect him to beat his .303 career mark, too.

The Tigers really had to move Greene here. He’s having his best year yet and likely wouldn’t return as much as a rental next summer. Demeritte has plus power and a good eye. He could actually make his debut relatively soon as he’s hitting .286/.387/.558 with 20 HR, 13% BB, and 27% K in 399 PA at Triple-A. He’s only played OF this year, but has experience at 2B, 3B, and SS.

Wentz came into the season slotted 11th on Atlanta’s prospect list. He slotted 10th on Eric Logenhagen’s list of prospects moved at the deadline. The 21-year old lefty has put up a 4.72 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 103 innings at Double-A. His changeup is the standout pitch, but he’ll need to develop the fastball or curveball more to become something beyond a backend starter. Overall, the pair is a solid return for Greene as the Tigers continue their full scale rebuild.

Cubs get Nicholas Castellanos

Tigers Alex Lange, Paul Richan

Castellanos was rumored to Chicago and the trade indeed got done. While it does put him in a better lineup, he will likely move down in the lineup and could be removed for a defensive replacement late in games, both impacting his overall volume. The Cubs were looking to get some lefty-smashing hitting and that’s exactly what Castellanos is doing with a .347/.415/.611 line in his 82 PA against southpaws. Castellanos is still someone worth acquiring in NL Only leagues, but be mindful that he won’t necessary maintain his playing time levels from Detroit.

Lange and Richan ranked 26th and 39th on Eric’s list, respectively. Lange profiles as a reliever with poor command and a weak fastball while Richan is a control artist who will serve as starting pitching depth. It’s about the best the Tigers could’ve expected for a corner outfield rental with defensive issues. If J.D. Martinez could only muster Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcantara, and Jose King, then it would’ve been hard to see the Tigers beating that with Castellanos.