I went team by team to identify the most logical playing time takeaways from the trade deadline. I’m not interested in who won or lost a trade, but rather how the trades impact fantasy rosters and who may become more or less valuable. It may take the weekend to really see how the dust settles but hopefully this piece can give you a head start.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves bought on the fringes acquiring Tyler Mahle, and Lane Thomas. Mahle goes from a home streamer to probably needing to be dropped. He had an ERA under 3.00 in SF but away from home an 8.04 ERA. I don’t know how you trust him in ATL. The team has said Thomas and Yastrzemski will platoon in LF, Jarvis will play most days at SS and Dubon will be the utility man. The setup makes sense but with Sean Murphy back too, Baldwin will snag some DH at bats and Dubon may find himself out of the lineup more than he should. Words I never thought I’d type.
Miami Marlins
Miami traded away Liam Hicks, which has opened the door for Agustin Ramirez to be recalled. “The Goose” sat two of the first three games but started at DH against a LHP. The Marlins appear to be platooning two outfield spots, DH and the catcher position but Heriberto Hernandez has played every game since the deadline. Hernandez’s playing time appears to be the most safe
New York Mets
The Mets were unable to move Luis Robert or Jorge Polonco, so the lineup looks about the same as before, with Brett Baty being the big loser in terms of playing time. Polonco is only playing against RHP, Jared Young is still getting most starts at 1B and Luis Robert is getting one day off a series. Robert Stock has taken the rotation spot vacated by Freddy Peralta and with Clay Holmes also moving, Zac Thornton’s role seems safe for the foreseeable future. Stock is a 37 year old journeyman, who has done well thus far but I could see the Mets seeing what a young arm can do.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals moved Luis Garcia Jr and Curtis Mead to the AL East, opening the door for an Abimelec Ortiz, Andres Chaparro platoon and first base and a Jorbit Vivas, Brady House platoon at third base. Andrew Pinckney was recalled to replace the injured James Wood and homered in his debut. The Nationals can cover the outfield with Lile, Young and Crews so a Pinckney, Jose Tena platoon may develop over the coming days. This is going to be a fluid lineup. Foster Griffin moving to Cleveland opens the door for Andrew Alvarez to get more starts. Let’s see if they continue to limit his innings. Jake Irvin is also back and the team DFA’d Littell so there is an open rotation spot at the current. Maybe Trevor Williams? He was used in relief on Thursday so not likely. The Nationals are messy
Philadelphia Phillies
The team added Luis Arraez to play 2B, shifting Bryson Stott to 2B and Bryce Harper to the outfield. Not much is actionable except these players picking up additional positional eligibility.
Milwaukee Brewers
Dustin May was added to the Brewers rotation with Brandon Sproat being demoted to Triple-A. For now the team will use a six-man rotation with Gasser and Drohan keeping a spot (for now). I could see this lasting for a bit so the Brewers can limit the innings for all their young pitchers.
St Louis Cardinals
The departure of May opens a rotation spot for Hunter Dobbins. He’s been a solid spot start option all season so he has some deeper league appeal. It wouldn’t be unheard of if the team wants to see more of Quinn Mathews who got a start last week. The lineup lost Lars Nootbar to the Diamondbacks so we are officially on Joshua Baez watch. Currently the team is platooning Bryan Torres and Nelson Velazquez in the OF but Jordan Walker has missed the last two games and a trip to the injured list may force the Cardinals hand. Minor Leaguers maintain rookie eligibility if called up after next week so that may be the Cardinals plan for Baez.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs added Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes and Braxton Garrett at the deadline, shoring up their rotation weakness. Gausman slots right into the rotation bumping Colin Rea. Clay Holmes will be starting this week, likely at the expense of Javier Assad and Braxton Garrett will be in the bullpen for now. It will be interesting to see what happens when Edward Cabrera comes back in a week or two but it’s possible the Cubs switch to a six-man rotation to give their older starters more rest
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates added Luke Weaver, Camilo Doval and Kirby Yates to their bullpen. With Mitch Keller done for the season Carmen Mlodzinski heads back to the rotation and should be a priority add in 12 team leagues and deeper. We still don’t know how Luke Weaver will be used but I can see Weaver and Montgomery splitting opportunities based on the situation. Gregory Soto was used in middle relief Thursday.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds weren’t active at the trade deadline but did lose Hunter Greene and Spencer Steer in recent weeks. Matt McLain is bac, Dane Myers is playing everyday and Hector Rodriguez was recalled to play RF and DH. Noelvi Marte has started five of six games. Somehow this team has gotten hot and Nick Lodolo figures to return within a week.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The team added Lars Nootbar who has started all three games at the expense of Ildemaro Vargas and Tyler Locklear. Both appear to be small side platoon options. Tim Tawa continues to see an uptick in playing time, starting everyday recently.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers made the big splash receiving Tarik Skubal which sent Emmett Sheehan to Triple-A. The team also acquired Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt (both LHH) to fill-in at catcher with Will Smith and Daulton Rushing out. The fact their both LHH catchers alludes to their belief Smith will return.
San Francisco Giants
Heliot Ramos and Luis Arraez were shipped out at the deadline. Osleivis Basabe and Grant McCray appear to be the main playing time benefactors but neither offer much fantasy value. Blade Tidwell took the rotation spot of Tyler Mahle. Tidwell, the former NYM, has had a good season in Triple-A and is at least interesting as a home streamer. Carson Whisenhunt will also get his opportunity to stick in the rotation but command issues has hurt his results thus far. Erik Miller’s move to Boston, opens up the closer role in San Francisco and Dylan Smith is pitching in higher leverage situations. Smith is my pick for the role and has a 3.10 ERA and has 24 strikeouts over 20 IP.
San Diego Padres
The Padres were aggressive adding to their starting pitching. Robby Ray and Casey Mize will take the spots of German Marquez and JP Sears. The team will keep Canning, Vasquez and Kyle Hart to eat up innings in the 5th spot. Vasquez looks like he will start for now.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies shipped Brenton Doyle to the White Sox which means Jordan Beck gets another opportunity. Beck has started the last two games against RHP which means Troy Johnston is just a bench bat for now.