X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

MLB Trade Deadline Analysis: Martinez, Robertson, Frazier, Moncada

Troy Klauder analyses the fantasy impact of trades around Major League Baseball, identifying value changes and potential waiver wire adds and drops.

While the MLB trade deadline isn't for more than a week, teams are wasting no time getting deals done.

Tuesday was a big day at the office, with moves between the Diamondbacks and Tigers as well as the White Sox and Yankees.

In this article, I'll be examining the fantasy relevant players in each deal and how their value is affected from being traded.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

MLB Trade Deadline Moves - Fantasy Impacts

J.D. Martinez to the Diamondbacks

In a shocking move, outfielder J.D. Martinez was sent to the Diamondbacks for a trio of prospects. While Arizona wasn't an expected landing spot for Martinez, it's probably the best location that fantasy owners could ask for. Chase Field is an extreme hitter's park due to its high elevation, hot temperatures, and low humidity. Martinez's already tremendous power should see a substantial increase on the Diamondbacks. He's also moving into an outstanding DBacks lineup, where he will likely hit behind Paul Goldschmidt out of the cleanup spot. In Detroit, Martinez was already slashing a ridiculous .305/.388/.630, good for a 162 wRC+, with 16 homers in just 232 plate appearances. With potential for improvement in all five categories, Martinez is likely a top-20 fantasy hitter with the Diamondbacks.


Todd Frazier to the Yankees

Third baseman Todd Frazier was sent to the Yankees as part of a seven-player deal as a much-needed bat for the Yankees playoff push. Frazier is hitting a poor .207, but that comes with 16 homers and a .225 ISO. His power will play well at Yankee Stadium, as well as other hitter-friendly AL East parks in Boston, Baltimore, and Toronto. Frazier's biggest increase in value comes from his newfound opportunities for runs and RBI. Frazier moves from one of the worst lineups in the league to a Yankees team that is 4th in the league in wOBA with their .336 mark. Also, Frazier may be able to pick up first base eligibility if New York is unable to quickly find a first baseman. With his move to the Yankees, Frazier is a fantasy player to be buying.

 

David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle to the Yankees

Alongside Todd Frazier, the Yankees got some significant improvements to their bullpen with David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle. Unfortunately for Robertson owners, this is a devastating blow to his value. Robertson will no longer be a closer, instead being used as a setup man for Aroldis Chapman. In some shallow formats, David Robertson can be straight up dropped. However, he still has value as a 7th or 8th inning guy, he possesses an oustanding 35.6% K-rate. Robertson also maintains value in holds leagues, as he will have plenty of opportunities for holds as a Yankee.

Likewise, Tommy Kahnle's value takes a slight hit with a move to the crowded Yankees bullpen. Kahnle is having an incredible season, with an absurd 42.6% K-rate and 5.0% walk-rate. Since Kahnle will most likely be relegated to 6th and 7th inning duties, there may not be a ton of opportunities for holds. Though, if you're looking for a reliever to rack up strikeouts and help keep your ERA down, Kahnle is your guy.

 

Tyler Clippard to the White Sox

In the midst of an awful 2017 season, Tyler Clippard was sent to the White Sox as a part of the Frazier deal. Clippard has a 4.95 ERA and has particularly struggled in high-level situations. With that being said, he may be in line for some saves in Chicago. The 32-year-old has experience in the closer's role, so it wouldn't be very surprising to see him take over the job. Clippard would be one of the worst closers in the league, but if you're desperate for saves, he's worth a look.

White Sox righty Anthony Swarzak is the other candidate to close for the Sox. He was the team's 7th inning man before the departure of Robertson and Kahnle, so he would be the next logical choice if the White Sox don't choose Clippard. Swarzak has a 2.47 ERA with a 2.29 FIP, so he would be a fine candidate for the job. It's in the best interest of fantasy owners to pick up Swarzak for potential saves, and only turn to Clippard if necessary.

 

Yoan Moncada called up to the White Sox

With Todd Frazier out of the picture, the White Sox are calling up top prospect Yoan Moncada to play third base. The immensely hyped 22-year-old is worth a pickup in virtually every league, if he's not already stashed. Moncada can make an immediate fantasy impact with his power/speed combo, as he had 12 homers and 17 steals in triple-A Charlotte. As the number one prospect in all of baseball, Moncada put up a .285/.381/.452 line this year, good for a 132 wRC+. His biggest downside is his strikeout rate, at 28.6%. It will be tough for Moncada to keep a decent batting average if he keeps striking out at this rate. Still, Moncada's worth grabbing to see what he can do.

 

Premium Tools & DFS Research

Get a free trial of our powerful MLB Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Optimizer & Lineup Generator, daily Matchup Ratings, expert DFS Lineups/Cheat Sheets, and more.

Sign Up Now!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Could Return as Bucks Face Bulls
Brandon Williams

Appears Unlikely to Play vs. Sacramento
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Questionable Saturday Against Cavaliers
Mike Conley

May Miss Saturday's Game Against Nets
De'Aaron Fox

Appears on Injury Report for Saturday
Josh Hart

Sidelined Against Hawks Due to Ankle Injury
Anthony Davis

Questionable With Adductor Soreness Saturday
Kris Murray

Will Play Against the Clippers
Robert Williams III

Available on Friday Night
Austin Reaves

Facing Multiweek Absence With Calf Issue
Anthony Edwards

Listed as Questionable Against Brooklyn
Keegan Murray

Out at Least One Week With Calf Strain
Jock Landale

to Miss Bucks Game With Calf Issue
Jordan Poole

Cleared to Play Friday vs. Suns
Joel Embiid

Set to Suit Up Against Bulls
George Kittle

Questionable to Face the Bears in Week 17
Cedric Coward

Active On Friday Against Milwaukee
Ja Morant

Available On Friday Night Against Milwaukee
Maxx Crosby

Done for the Season
VJ Edgecombe

Available on Friday
Dominick Barlow

Will Suit Up Against Chicago
Collin Murray-Boyles

Good to Go Versus Washington
Scottie Barnes

Upgraded to Available Against Washington
Calvin Austin III

Ruled Out with Hamstring Injury for Week 17
Harold Fannin Jr.

Expected to Play on Sunday
Jordan Love

Ruled Out with Concussion for Saturday's Contest
George Kittle

"Likely a Game-Time Decision" on Sunday Night
A.J. Brown

Returns to Practice on Friday
Josh Allen

Trending Toward Playing Vs. Philly
CFB

Michigan Targeting Kyle Whittingham as Next Head Coach
CFB

Texas Leading Rusher Quintrevion Wisner Set to Transfer
George Kittle

Remains Sidelined During Thursday's Practice
Malik Willis

Carrying Questionable Tag for Week 17 Tilt
Jordan Love

Questionable for Saturday's Contest
Lamar Jackson

Listed as Doubtful for Week 17
Amon-Ra St. Brown

to Suit Up on Christmas Day
Rome Odunze

"Increasing Unlikely to Play" in Week 17
Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Carries Questionable Tag on Thursday
David Montgomery

Expected to Play on Christmas Day
David Montgomery

Questionable to Play With Illness
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Questionable, Expected to Play on Thursday
Rashee Rice

Chiefs Place Rashee Rice on Injured Reserve
T.J. Hockenson

Ruled Out for Week 17
Pete Fairbanks

Marlins Agree on One-Year Deal
Josh Johnson

to Start at QB on Thursday Against Dallas
Brooks Koepka

Leaving LIV Golf
Connor McDavid

Finishes Battle of Alberta With Five Assists
Karel Vejmelka

Battling Upper-Body Injury
Alexandre Texier

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Against Bruins
Alexander Nikishin

Dealing With Apparent Ankle Injury
Denver Barkey

Exits Early Tuesday
Travis Sanheim

Pulled by Concussion Spotter Tuesday
Ryan O'Hearn

Pirates Agree on Two-Year Deal
Viktor Arvidsson

a Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Ryan Leonard

Available Tuesday
Tom Wilson

in Danger of Missing First Game of the Season
Phillip Danault

Makes Second Canadiens Debut Tuesday
Collin Graf

Available Against Golden Knights
Jack Eichel

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Vince Dunn

Won't Play Tuesday
CFB

Jeff Brohm, Eli Drinkwitz "Names of Interest" for Michigan Head Coach
Timothy Liljegren

to Miss Second Straight Game Tuesday
Will Smith

Out Week-to-Week
Jaccob Slavin

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Seth Jarvis

Considered Week-to-Week
Darren Raddysh

Totals Three Points in Monday's Win
Mason Marchment

Scores Twice Monday
Vince Dunn

Injured in Monday's Win
Ilya Sorokin

to Miss Tuesday's Game
CFB

Byrum Brown Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Bobby Petrino Joining Bill Belichick as North Carolina's Offensive Coordinator
Willson Contreras

Shipped to the Red Sox

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP