Welcome to the stretch run of fantasy baseball. August is here and the trade deadline has passed. What does it all mean? Of course, it means that the fantasy baseball playoffs are on the horizon! What an exciting time this is for those currently in playoff position or in hot pursuit! With the deadline in the rearview, we can look and see what, if anything, does it mean for the players involved and their fantasy value? This Fantasy Baseball Trades Analysis edition has answers!
As with all of my articles this entire season, I welcome discussion, especially if there are disagreements. With all of that out of the way, let's get down to it!
Key Question: Does Your League Value Holds?
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As was expected, several relief pitchers were included in trades. That happens each and every year. While that was the case, most pitchers, if not all, were moved to teams in which they will not be the closer.
Obviously, whether that is the case the remainder of the season remains to be seen. However, performing as the setup man is where these relievers will find themselves, at least initially and more than likely, on a permanent basis.
That fact leads to a critical fantasy question: does the league you are in value holds? If so, these pitchers, whether they be A.J. Puk, Carlos Estevez, Jason Adam, Yimi Garcia or many other relievers will retain, or increase, their fantasy value.
However, if holds are not a category, these same pitchers lose value. Why? Mainly, once their closer status is lost, saves will no longer be attainable for them.
Seemingly, most fantasy leagues value holds in this day and age. Doing so gives value to relievers that otherwise would have close to none in fantasy. At this point, everyone should know if holds, in fact, are valued. In any case, monitor all relievers traded at the deadline. If one is installed as his new team's closer, pounce immediately.
Tanner Scott to San Diego: What's His Fantasy Value?
All-Star closer Tanner Scott was involved in a deal just before the deadline. Even so, most likely he will not get many save chances with Robert Suarez already the closer. After all, Suarez does have 23 saves, a 1.51 ERA and an 0.864 WHIP.
In the end, the question remains the same as it did at the top. Does your league have holds as a category? If not, this Fantasy Baseball Trades Analysis says even Scott will take a step back in fantasy down the stretch.
Which Traded Starters Saw an Increase in Their Fantasy Value?
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With all of the deals made, there were surprisingly few impact starters moved. No, I am not speaking of James Paxton. In fact, there were only three: Zach Eflin, Jack Flaherty and Erick Fedde. Eflin went to Baltimore, Flaherty was dealt to the Dodgers and Fedde to the Cardinals. Obviously, all went to much better teams. Without question, that alone will increase their fantasy values.
First up for examination is Eflin. He has already made his debut for the Orioles, which happened Monday. In six innings against Toronto, Eflin allowed three runs on 10 hits with seven Ks and no BBs. The hits are a bit concerning, but everything else was golden.
For the season, Eflin is 6-7 with a 4.11 ERA with 94 Ks and 13 BBs in 116.0 innings. Further, he has 1.190 WHIP, a 3.63 FIP, 90 ERA+, a 19.3 SO% and a miniscule 2.7 BB%. The underlying numbers say that Eflin has been extremely unlucky in his wins and ERA to this point. Expect those to improve the rest of the way in Baltimore.
As for Flaherty, he went from playing out the string in Detroit to a team with World Series aspirations. Not only that, but he just happens to be having a great season. In 106.2 Tiger innings, Flaherty was 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, a 3.11 FIP, 144 ERA+, 133 Ks and 19 BBs. In seven of his last eight starts, he has allowed two or fewer runs. He has pitched into the sixth inning or later in eight of his last ten starts.
Additionally, Flaherty's underneath stats are solid. His 32.1 SO% is far superior to the league average (22.6%). Likewise, his 4.6 BB% is well below the league norm (8.5%). He has held hitters to a .211 BA against, exactly 100 points lower than 2023. The OBP has come down from .376 last year to .253. Add it all up and Flaherty will see a huge bump in his value, both in real and fantasy baseball.
Erick Fedde is the Biggest Fantasy Starter Winner
Of the three, Fedde finds himself in the best possible position, both in real and fantasy baseball. Getting traded from one of the worst teams in baseball history will do that. The Cardinals are in the thick of the playoff chase. Unquestionably, Fedde helps them in that pursuit.
On the year, Fedde is 7-4 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.142 WHIP, 108 Ks and 34 BBs in 21 starts. Further, he has a 135 ERA+. 3.77 FIP, the league is hitting .227 against him, a .652 OPS, .265 BAbip, a 21.5 K% and a 6.8 BB%
Recall, please, that Fedde has done the above for a team that is absolutely terrible and in the running for worst team of all time. Now, he is on St. Louis, which is in the middle of the wild card race in the National League.
Doubtless, Fedde will see the biggest boost in his fantasy value in the stretch run. Those that have him on their fantasy rosters should be smiling from ear to ear right now.
Which Traded Bats Will Have the Biggest Fantasy Impact?
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Last, but not least, let's discuss offense. If you have read this far, you have been paying any attention to baseball the past few days. As such, it is no surprise that Jazz Chisholm would lead off this Fantasy Baseball Trades Analysis edition. What did he do in his first two games as a Yankee? Nothing much. Chisholm only homered twice in each game. That's all.
As to the season, he is hitting .254-17-58 with 23 SBs, 51 runs and a .327/.436 slash line in 401 ABs. Further, he has an 105 OPS+, .309 BAbip, .170 ISO, a 24.8 SO% and a 9.1 BB%. The only real concern is his eight caught stealings. Perhaps the Yankees can help Chisholm to run more efficiently.
Of course, he has gone from one of the worst lineups in baseball to one of the best. New York plans on playing him at 3B. On top of everything else, that will increase his fantasy value significantly. Of all the players traded, Chisholm looks to get the biggest boost the remainder of the season.
Unfortunately, don't expect the same fortune to fall on Randy Arozarena. This should be the case even though having six hits in his first four Mariner games is extremely encouraging. The Mariners aren't nearly the hitting team that the Yankees are, despite the trades they made.
In 409 Tampa plate appearances, Arozarena only hit .211-15-37 with 16 SBs. Further, he had just a .318/394 slash line with a 104 OPS+, a .249 BAbip, 183 ISO, a 24.7 K% and a 11.0 BB%.
Obviously, if you have Arozarena on your fantasy team, you are riding with him the rest of the way. He most likely will see a boost in his fantasy production. Even so, there will be managers that will prefer having Chisholm instead.
Other Hitters to Keep an Eye On
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With the flurry of activity before the deadline, several other players were moved. Of those, these hitters are in better shape now than just a few days ago: Lane Thomas, Josh Bell, Jesse Winker, Justin Turner, Tommy Pham, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
One of the more surprising trades saw Isaac Paredes go to the Cubs from the Rays. As neither team is in contention, this deal doesn't really do much of anything for Paredes and his value. He is a quality player, so managers will simply need to plug him into the lineup and see what happens.
Finally, we come to Tommy Edman. As a part of other deals, Edman went from the Cardinals to the Dodgers. He hasn't yet played this season because of a wrist injury and a sprained ankle. However, he has been on a rehab assignment. He hasn't played the field yet, which he needs to do as much of his value is his versatility.
Once he is activated by the Dodgers, he will get regular playing time. If he is on the wire in your league, greatly consider adding him and placing him on the IL. He could be a decided fantasy difference maker down in August and the fantasy playoffs.
The Final Word
Thank you for joining me for this Fantasy Baseball Trades Analysis edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!
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