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Mike Barner discusses the fantasy baseball fallout from the most significant moves made at the 2024 MLB trade deadline,
Coming into Tuesday’s trade deadline, we had already seen some big names change teams. The Yankees landed Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Orioles bolstered their rotation by acquiring Zach Eflin, and the Cubs added to their lineup with Isaac Paredes.
Tuesday saw a flurry of more moves, especially on the reliever front. While many of those relievers could be difference-makers for a team to make the playoffs, most of the reliever trades don’t mean much for fantasy baseball.
Let’s dig into some fantasy-relevant names that did change teams the last couple of days and discuss what their value looks like moving forward.
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Jack Flaherty, Los Angeles Dodgers (SP, 89% rostered)
Flaherty was in the midst of a bounce-back campaign for the Tigers, posting a 2.95 ERA and a 3.11 FIP over 18 starts. His strikeout rate has shot up to 32.0%, which is on pace to be the highest mark of his career. His 4.6% walk rate has also helped him generate a 0.96 WHIP. With him set to be a free agent after this season, it made sense for the Tigers to move him at the deadline.
There were reports that the Tigers and Yankees were working towards a deal that would have landed him in New York, but the Yankees reportedly didn’t like his medicals. Instead, Flaherty ended up on a Dodgers team that also has championship aspirations. This move is an upgrade for his fantasy value as he should find himself in a better position to earn wins.
Trevor Rogers, Baltimore Orioles (SP, 7% rostered)
The Orioles didn’t stop adding to their rotation after they acquired Eflin from the Rays. They went to another Florida team to add Trevor Rogers on Tuesday. Rogers has made 21 starts this season, posting a 4.53 ERA and a 4.42 FIP. His WHIP checks in at 1.53 and his strikeout rate is just 18.0%. While he will have a better opportunity to earn wins on the Orioles, he still shouldn’t be viewed as much more than a streaming option in 12-team leagues when he has a favorable matchup.
The biggest fantasy news from this trade might be the return that the Marlins netted. The Orioles sent them second baseman Connor Norby and outfielder Kyle Stowers. Norby is the name that fantasy managers should make note of. He had put up some impressive numbers in the minors, including his .222 ISO and .398 wOBA at Triple-A this year. He is still available in 92% of Yahoo leagues and is worth taking a chance on in 12-team and deeper formats.
The Miami Marlins today announced that the team has acquired infielder Connor Norby and outfielder Kyle Stowers from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for left-handed starting pitcher Trevor Rogers. pic.twitter.com/1JGCOOYcEE
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 30, 2024
Tanner Scott, San Diego Padres (RP, 84% rostered)
Scott recorded a 1.18 ERA and 18 saves for the Marlins this season. While his FIP wasn’t quite as good, it wasn’t exactly bad at 3.24. He walks too many batters, but he helps make up for it with his 29.1% strikeout rate. With the Marlins going nowhere fast, Scott was shipped to a Padres team that is still in the playoff hunt.
The Padres are an interesting landing spot for Scott. They already have Robert Suarez, who has a 1.48 ERA, 2.97 FIP, and 23 saves this season.
While he doesn’t miss as many bats, he has shown much better control with his 5.0% walk rate. Scott could still see some save opportunities when matchups favor a lefty coming in for the ninth inning or if Suarez has pitched consecutive days, but it would likely take a prolonged stretch of Suarez struggling for Scott to be regularly used in the closer’s role.
Jorge Soler, Atlanta Braves (OF, 69% rostered)
After slugging 36 home runs for the Marlins last year, Soler produced just 12 homers over 93 games with the Giants this year. He posted just a .173 ISO at home, with eight of his 12 home runs coming on the road. With the Giants turning into sellers, they shipped Soler back to the Braves, with whom he won a World Series in 2021.
The Braves bringing back old friends who have been trending in the right direction...
Luke Jackson last 9IP, 13K, 1BB, .182 BAA (previous 9IP, 1K, 4BB, .333).
Jorge Soler last 14 games, .333 BA, .460 OBP, .569 SLG, 1.029 OPS.
The greatest HR of the 21st century...#iSaidIt pic.twitter.com/BclLhJ4clQ
— CJ (@CJNitkowski) July 30, 2024
Soler produced a .882 OPS over 55 regular season games after he was traded to the Braves in 2021. He was also named the World Series MVP. Even with all of their injuries, the Braves have plenty of power with Soler joining Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Marcell Ozuna. Don’t be surprised if Soler goes on a power surge down the stretch.
Eloy Jimenez, Baltimore Orioles (OF, 24% rostered)
The Orioles didn’t just add pitching at the deadline. Despite their wealth of highly-ranked hitting prospects, they acquired Eloy Jimenez in a deal with the White Sox. Injuries have plagued Jimenez throughout his career, which has resulted in him never playing in more than 122 games in a season. He has appeared in 65 games this year, posting just a .105 ISO and a .283 wOBA. He has put way too many balls on the ground, producing a 59.6% groundball rate.
Now a member of the Orioles, Jimenez might find himself in a platoon at DH with left-handed hitting Ryan O’Hearn. While he has upside and is part of a much more dangerous lineup, his potential limited playing time likely means that his new landing spot won’t provide him with an increase in fantasy value.
Yusei Kikuchi, Houston Astros (SP, 43% rostered)
It has been a rough stretch for Kikuchi, who has a 7.75 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP over his last eight starts. His ERA has ballooned to 4.75, but his FIP is much better at 3.65. Now a member of the Astros, he presents them with some upside, given his 26.2% strikeout rate this season.
The one downside with this move for fantasy purposes is that he could eventually end up being part of a six-man rotation once Justin Verlander (neck) and Luis Garcia (elbow) return from injuries.
The Blue Jays shipped out for Kikuchi for what has the potential to be an excellent return. They landed pitcher Jake Bloss and hitters Joey Loperfido and Will Wagner. Loperfido didn’t hit well with the Astros, but he did have a .296 ISO and a .392 wOBA at Triple-A this year. He could immediately slot into a regular role for the Blue Jays, making him an interesting target in deeper formats.
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