Fantasy Baseball: Preparing for the Trade Deadline (UPDATED)

By Muntradamus

 

The trade deadline is a week away.  Players will be traded, and fantasy implications will change drastically.  I am here to weather the storm and give you a heads-up on what I expect to take place.
Before I get into the possible trades let’s analyze the trades that have already taken place with fantasy implications.  After the Deadline I will post an article with all implications of each trade.
*Daily Pitcher Rankings will be released at 1:00PM pacific.

 

NEW PLACES:

 

HANLEY RAMIREZ – LAD – 3B/SS

Hanley just landed in a dream situation where he bats 5th for a team that has a great chance of making the playoffs.  That 5th spot is behind Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier who are sure to get on base more frequently than not.  We should also see a more motivated Hanley who is now on a team with veterans that can motivate him to play at his level.

PLAYERS LOSE VALUE: Juan Uribe.

 

RYAN ROBERTS – TB – 2B/3B

Roberts need a change of scenery after the D-Backs toyed around with his production.  Now he will see everyday ABs and is on a team that will give him the fresh look he was needing all season long.  Expect Roberts to tap into that 20/20 potential we all know he has deep down inside.  If you just lost Alex Rodriguez, time to add him.

PLAYERS LOSE VALUE: Jeff Keppinger.

 

WANDY RODRIGUEZ – PIT – SP

Wandy was doing terrible in Houston.  That does not give fantasy owners any reason to believe he will perform for another NL team.  Wandy was terrible against the Padres all season long, and he never shows consistency.  The move to Pittsburgh will not give him a boost in value until he can pitch consistently.

PLAYERS LOSE VALUE: KEVIN CORREIA.

 

ICHIRO SUZUKI – NYY – OF

Going to the Yankees is a dream come true.  Ichiro will not only be surrounded by All-Stars which should bring more out of him, he will be hitting in a lineup where RBI chances could come nearly every game.  No matter where Ichiro bats in this Yankee lineup, he can be very productive.  Brett Gardner stole 40+ bases batting in the back of the Yankee order last season, and we can see a resurgence of some speed to close out the year.  Lefties also thrive in the short right field fence.  Ichiro will play everyday because he is Ichiro, and he is an elite OF option.  Andruw Jones will take Swisher or Ibanez out of the lineup against lefties.

PLAYERS LOSE VALUE: Raul Ibanez, Nick Swisher (Both will platoon more often than before.)

 

OMAR INFANTE – DET – 2B

The Tigers made a great move acquiring Infante.  Desperately they needed a 2B, and he should thrive no matter where he is in that stacked lineup.  The further back, the more RBI opportunities will come.  Infante was producing a career year with the Marlins, and that career year can get better playing for a contender that will score more runs than the Marlins.

PLAYERS LOSE VALUE: Ryan Rabrun (Worthless.)

 

FRANCISCO CORDERO – HOU – RP

Cordero should be added in all leagues where closers are scarce.  He will be closing for the Astros, and although that will not result in a lot of opportunities he should still get a save opportunity per week.  The move to the Astros gives him fantasy life once again after blowing the closer job earlier this year with the Blue Jays.

PLAYERS LOSE VALUE: Brett Myers (Middle Relief Pitcher with White Sox.)

 

ANIBAL SANCHEZ – DET – SP

It seemed like every start Sanchez would make, he has had at least one bad start against that team.  Now he gets a fresh look at some lineups that have never faced him.  On top of that he will be playing for a team that could give him huge run support any given night.  Sanchez should get a big boost in value as his win total should get a nice jolt.

PLAYERS LOSE VALUE: Nobody.

 

 

PLAYERS WHO WILL GET TRADED:

 

CHASE HEADLEY – SD – 3B

Headley is the big name of the trade deadline.  Everyone wants him, and his value could not be higher as he is scorching the ball.  Wherever he lands, his value will get a good upgrade getting out of Petco Park and joining a team that can put runs on the board.

Prediction: Dodgers

 

SHANE VICTORINO – PHI – OF – NEW

The Phillies are searching for bullpen help, and Shane Victorino is the trade piece the Phillies ant to move to make it happen.  He should go to a contender right away and make an impact.  Or at least play on a team that will use him to his strengths.

Prediction: Orioles

 

MATT GARZA – CHC – SP

The Cubs are going to be doing a fire sale, and Garza is one of the guys on top of the list.  His value will go up immediately as he will be on a team that can provide solid run contribution.

Prediction: Cardinals

 

RYAN DEMPSTER – ATL – SP

He was nearly traded to the Braves earlier Monday, and that could be his final destination one way or another.  Either way Dempster is going to be traded, his career year will be tough to keep up.  Especially with the lack of K’s and the fact his great start streak has stopped in his last start.

Prediction: Dodgers

 

FRANCISCO LIRIANO – MIN – RP/SP

The Twins do not want to keep Liriano.  His value and his contract are too much for the Twins to handle, they will take whatever they can get.

Prediction: Angels

 

 

PLAYERS WHO SHOULD GET TRADED:

 

BRYAN LAHAIR – CHC – OF/1B

The Cubs do not need LaHair now that they are settled with Rizzo.  LaHair has the most value he will ever have after surprisingly being an All-Star and showing off some nice double digit power in limited ABs.  LaHair should get moved to a team that wants to see him play everyday.

Prediction: Dodgers

 

JUSTIN MORNEAU – MIN – 1B

The Twins are sellers, and Morneau remains a piece of the puzzle they should part with in order to build for the future.  Morneau should thrive in a new environment as the Twins play in one of the most friendly pitching ball parks in the AL.

Prediction: Dodgers

 

JUAN PIERRE – PHI – OF

The Phillies do not need him, and teams could use a SB threat late in game.  The only rumors I have heard are the Reds, and if that were to be the case Ryan Ludwick would lose a lot of value being a platoon option.

Prediction: Reds

 

RAMON HERNANDEZ – COL – C

The Rockies do not need to carry Hernandez as Wilin Rosario is clearly ready to be the future of that team.  A team that acquires Hernandez will most likely use him right away.

Prediction: Tampa Bay

 

PAUL MAHOLM – CHC – SP

The fire sale for the Cubs includes the overachieving Paul Maholm.  Where ever he lands, the fact he is pitching so well could be a  bit of a fluke.

Prediction: Baltimore

 

CHRIS PEREZ – CLE – RP

Perez is not on the good side of the Indians organization, and those 27 saves are valuable to somebody.  Plus Vinnie Pestano is ready to be the full-time closer.

Prediction: Baltimore

 

RYAN ROBERTS – ARI – 3B/2B – TRADED TO TB

Whatever team misses out on Headley, will most likely be attacking Ryan Roberts who is just about done with his Diamondback tenure.  There are plenty of teams that would be willing to see what potential he can bring to the table.

Prediction: Dodgers

 

 

PLAYERS WHO MAY GET TRADED:

 

JAMES SHIELDS – TB – SP

If the Rays become sellers, Shields is the big prize who is having a down year after an amazing comeback season.  The Rays will do what is best for their franchise, and the deep young pitching staff may be worth losing Shields for some more prospects that can bring a bat to this team.

Prediction: Dodgers

 

ZACK GREINKE – MIL – SP

The Brewers are not going anywhere, and teams would give the Brewers everything they need for the future if they can acquire Greinke.  He could go to the Angels which would be interesting, either way he is looking to be moved.

Prediction: Angels

 

CLIFF LEE – PHI – SP

If the Phillies are going to keep Cole Hamels (which they now are) chances are they cannot keep Cliff Lee as well.  The Phillies should trade one of them, and Lee seems to be a pitcher who a team would give up a farm form.

Prediction: Rangers

 

JONATHAN BROXTON – KC – RP

Although the Royals are planning on playing for a playoff spot next season, Broxton has extremely high value and the Royals would be crazy not to cash in while they can.  Broxton will lose a lot of value if he ends up in the wrong place as a setup man.

Prediction: Baltimore

 

RAFAEL BETANCOURT – COL – RP

The Rockies do not need a solid closer when they have no chance of going anywhere and a solid bullpen behind him.  Expect Betancourt to go to the highest bidder.  Betancourt will lose a lot of value if he ends up in the wrong place as a setup man.

Prediction: Baltimore

 

 

 

PREDICTED NEW CLOSERS AFTER DEADLINE:

 

VINNIE PESTANO – CLE – RP

IF Perez is traded, Pestano would be Must-Star status as he is maybe the best setup man in the game.

 

MATT BELISLE – COL – RP

IF Betancourt gets traded, we could see Matt become the closer.  Although Rex Brothers is the better strike out reliever, Matt is a right and that could be enough to give him the job right away.  His ERA is at 2.34, so he is definitely good enough to run away with the job.

 

AARON CROW – KC – RP

This can very easily be Greg Holland’s job, but Crow has been coming in after Holland nearly all season long.  Crow did a nice job as a fill in closer for Soria last season, and IF Broxton gets traded he will see another chance.

 

 

 

*Any Fantasy Baseball related questions, feel free to ask on the bottom.