The Trade Deadline from a Fantasy Perspective
Scott Podsednik to Dodgers. One would be inclined to believe that Podsednik would lose value. This could be the case but Manny is currently on the DL at the moment and if the Dodgers fall farther out of the race I could see Manny clearing Waivers. Should Manny be moved then Pods would be the everyday LF and leadoff man. As a 4th OF Pods would have no value and would likely chip into the playing time of Manny and Kemp costing them some value.
Jhonny Peralta to Tigers. Peralta will play everyday at 3B in the absence of Inge. When Inge returns a move to 2B could be in the works. Peralta isn't a real viable option anywhere but if he can gain eligibility at 2B he could improve his stock somewhat.
Jorge Cantu to Rangers. Cantu's stock takes a hit with the move initially. Cantu will likely be in a platoon with Rookie Mitch Moreland to play 1B. If Cantu hits well or Moreland struggles the job should be handed to the proven veteran. Cantu could benefit from the move to the launching pad in Texas and the better overall lineup. I recommend waiting a week or two before dropping Cantu. Your patience could be rewarded. Chris Davis stock crashed with the demotion to AAA.
Miguel Tejada to Padres. Typically a move to Petco for a hitter is bad but for Tejada it will likely improve his value marginally. He no longer is a power hitter so a drop in HR's doesn't hurt his value. He will start and hit somewhere in the heart of the order. Perhaps most importantly he won't get lost in the yearly youth movement by the Orioles in September thus more playing time.
Roy Oswalt to Phillies. Oswalt value should increase if you play in a Wins league. Yes Citizen Bank park is a hitters paradise but so is Minute Maid so no effects should be present with the park. Oswalt could feel rejuvenated which could provide a spark. The media could grind on him should he struggle down the stretch which is something he hasn't had to deal with in Houston. JA Happ to Astros. Happ's value increases. Happ will be a fixture in the rotation for the rest of the season. Happ may have some value down the stretch. More of a streaming or two appearance option than a permanent fixture in your rotation.
Matt Capps to Twins. Capps could see additional chances with the Twins so his value should improve. Will face tougher lineups so he shouldn't be considered a lock to hold onto the job but 2010 has been the year of the Capps. Rauch owners suffered the most from this move as he is no longer the man and no longer warrants ownership. Wilson Ramos could be a player to watch. A Top 25 Prospect in all of baseball could see time in Washington this season. His defense is excellent while his bat has had issues this season Ramos has a .241AVG with 5HR and a .625OPS in 278AB in AAA. In a brief stint with the Twins this season he actually performed better in the Show hitting .289 in limited action. Look for a callup at some point this season. In Washington they have initially stated that a committee will be used to closeout games but look for Storen to take over the role.
Edwin Jackson to White Sox. Jackson has not pitched well this season minus the no-no. Jackson could be a rare pitcher who could benefit from a move to the AL. In 09 Jackson pitched very well in the AL Central for the Tigers. In my opinion 2009 was more about some fortunate underlying numbers than improved skill so I actually don't look for any improvements with the move. Jackson is no more than a Streaming or Two Start option in most Fantasy Formats. Daniel Hudson to the D'Backs. Hudson could really see increased value from the move. Hudson has nothing to prove in the minors so he should fall somewhere in the D'Backs rotation. He and Ian Kennedy have similar track record and Kennedy has pitched very well for the D'Backs this season. If you are looking for a spark in your rotation give Hudson a shot.
Austin Kearns and Kerry Wood to Yankess. Both players have had some Fantasy Value this season. With the move to NY both will have none. Kearns will be a spot start and bat on the bench while Wood will be placed in the 8th inning role to set up Rivera. Wood may get some SV opps if Rivera is not available so I could see him warranting a roster spot in some formats. Chris Perez becomes the closer in Cleveland. While Crowe and Brantley will have a OF spot in Cleveland for the rest of the season.
Berkman to Yankees. Berkman hasn't had a good 2009 as his OPS of just over .800 is his lowest since his rookie season. Look for a great couple of months from Berkman. He will bat in the two hole and have ARod, Teixeira, Cano and a host of other hitters hitting behind him. A slight upgrade from a .200 hitting Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence. Short porch in RF could improve his HR rate during his stay in NY. For Houston the Brett Wallace project will begin. Wallace has always performed well in the minors but is a liability on Defense. Played 3B during most of his career but a move to 1B was inevitable. Wallace is a nice option for a team in need of a spark.
Chris Snyder to Pirates. Snyder will be the everyday option behind the plate and is a decent option as your second catcher. Doumit will be a platoon player upon his return and should be dropped in all formats other than Razzball.
Lilly and Theriot to Dodgers. Lilly should really benefit from the move. Lilly has been really good over the last month so he could become a Top 20 Pitching option playing in the spacious parks of the NL West. Lilly is an extreme Fly ball pitcher which doesn't always play well in Wrigley. Lilly has traded Wrigley, GAB and Minute Maid for Petco, Dodger Stadium and 3Com. If he can only skip the trips to Coors. Theriot should get the bulk of the starts for the Dodgers but his value shouldn't be effected. Theriot could see some increased SB opps as Torre favors the run more than Lou.
Dotel to Dodgers. Dotel no longer is a viable fantasy option. Look for Meek's and Hanrahan to Co-Close but given Meek's multiple innings usage all season and Hanrahan's better stuff and closing experience look for Hanrahan to take the job.
Jake Westbrook to Cardinals, Ryan Ludwick to Padres. Westbrook should see his value improve with the move to the NL. Westbrook has a very similar stat line to Lilly over his first 10 seasons. Westbrook has a 4.34ERA, 1.38WHIP and 4.9K/9 while Lilly had a 4.60ERA, 1.32WHIP and a 7.4K/9 during his time in the AL. Lilly signed with the Cubs at age 31 and has a 3.70ERA, 1.14WHIP, and 7.6K/9 during his time in the NL. Westbrook is now 32 though he isn't the K pitcher that Lilly is, he does pitch to contact with a high GB rate and good BB rates all things that Dave Duncan preaches. Westbrook is a borderline Rotation option at this point and is certainly a player to target when streaming or looking for the 2 start. According to Steve Gardner from USA Today Ryan Ludwick has lost all fantasy value. For the record Josh Coleman of 64/60 Sports doesn't agree. Instead of splitting time with John Jay and Colby Rasmus, Ludwick should play everyday in a lineup desperate for some kind of pop. Make no mistake Ludwick isn't the 30HR hitter from 08 but he hasn't been that player since then. The Padres have used plenty of players in the OF this season so one may think Ludwick could join the platoon. The Padres don't make this move for a 4th OF. Ludwick will be the everyday RF or LF. Ludwick doesn't become a superstar by any means but he is worthy of a spot on your 25 man roster. Ludwick is a decent .280+ hitter with a solid OPS.
Chad Qualls to Rays. Another man eliminated from the Arizona Closers race. No one is a good option at this point but Gutierrez seems to be the most likely candidate.
Christian Guzman to Rangers. Guzman will be the everyday 2B in the absence of Kinsler. Guzman could see some increased value depending on his spot in the order. Upon Kinsler's return Guzman will become a bench option.
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