With the trade deadline looming one week away, there will be a flurry of moves that will affect current player values in fantasy baseball. When looking to capitalize on this movement you can utilize two strategies:
1) incessantly check and listen for new trades and moves
2) pick up players that stand to benefit from potential moves before the moves actually happen.
If you’re like me, you do a combination of both and are looking to roster players this week that could provide huge value for you going forward.
*Please note, that I wouldn’t pick up these players if I already had a viable player at the position. These players are best picked up if you have room on your roster to do so or can drop a player that has limited fantasy value.
Best case these players provide you tremendous value for a free Waiver Wire or Free Agent pick-up. Worst case, a trade doesn’t happen and you drop them for a more appealing player.
Here are 10 players I’m picking today if I have room on my roster:
1. Luke Gregerson
If your in leagues like mine, Mike Adams is probably long gone. However, Luke Gregerson might be a better pickup anyway. With the Padres going nowhere this season and the potential quality prospects Jed Hoyer may receive, I fully expect him to trade BOTH Heath Bell and Mike Adams this trade deadline.
If this happens, I expect Gregerson to get the call as closer (to pump up his value for next year’s deadline.)
Scenario Needed: Padres trade BOTH Heath Bell and Mike Adams.
What leagues should he be picked up in: Deep 10 team & 12 team mixed leagues. Or if you need saves.
2. Edward Mujica
Going into this week, I thought Mike Dunn would get the call if Leo Nunez was traded. However, a man with more knowledge than I has seemed to contradict this, as manager Jack McKeon said Mujica would get the first call as closer in this scenario.
Scenario Needed: Leo Nunez gets traded.
What leagues should he be picked up in: Deep 10 team & 12 team mixed. Or if you need saves.
3. David Pauley
The last closer candidate on this list goes to Pauley as Brandon League appears to be on the trading block. He’s having a career year at age 28 (2.06 ERA, 0.975 WHIP) and while his K/9 is not closer caliber, lack of internal options leaves Pauley next in line for saves in Seattle.
Scenario Needed: Brandon League gets traded.
What leagues should he be picked up in: Deep 10 team & 12 team mixed. Or if you need saves.
4. Chris Davis
With the recent injury to Adrian Beltre, it might be a great time to take another chance on Davis. He’s tearing up AAA as always (1.229 OPS and 24 homers over 48 games) and could be a great addition for power hungry teams. Depending on the extent of Beltre’s injury or if he becomes a piece in any of the Rangers deadline deals, Davis could see MLB playing time in the near future.
Scenarios Needed: Beltre goes on DL for extended period OR Davis gets traded to team where he can get everyday at-bats.
What leagues should he be picked up in: Deep 12 team mixed & AL Only leagues
5. Matt Moore
Let’s face it, if Moore was on any other team, he’d have been called up by now. He’s been terrorizing minor league hitters for 5 years now (Career 12.6 K/9 in minors) and would have been up for any other major league squad other than the Rays. With the Rays 6.5 back for the Wild Card, expect James Shields and potentially Jeremy Hellickson (rumored in a Colby Rasmus trade) to be moved.
Once this happens, Moore could have a Stephen Strasburg type impact in the 2nd half. Without the injury!
Scenario Needed: James Shields or any starting pitcher gets traded.
What leagues should he be picked up in: Regular 10 team and 12 team mixed
6. Jason Bourgeois
While the Astros have said that they will be holding onto Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence this year, all it takes is one great offer for either to make them change their minds.
Bourgeois just got back from the DL and would be one of the main beneficiaries of any available playing time. And that’s a good thing for your steals totals. In just 103 at bats this year, he has 17 steals. All he needs is playing time.
Scenarios needed: Astros trade Hunter Pence or Michael Bourn.
What leagues should he be picked up in: Deep 10 team and 12 team mixed. Or if you need steals.
7. Devin Mesoraco
One of the top 10 prospects in the game according to ESPN’s Keith Law, Mesoraco’s name has been linked to the Rays, Mariners and Rockies. While I doubt the Reds would give up a talent like Mesoraco (Alonso, see below, or Grandal are more likely), if he was traded he’d probably receive playing time immediately for his new team.
Mesoraco has 25 HR power and could be a good catcher contributor on a new team or if the Reds trade Ramon Hernandez or Ryan Hannigan.
Scenarios needed: Reds trade Mesoraco OR trade one of their two current big league catchers.
What leagues should he be picked up in: Deep 10 team and 12 team mixed. Especially leagues with 2 catchers.
8. Yonder Alonso
The most likely of the Reds prospect to be traded, Alonso could provide immediate value to a new team and fantasy owners. Alonso is expendable not because he can’t play but due to the fact he plays the same position as the Reds best player, Joey Votto.
He’ll provide a good average and 20 HR pop for his new team.
Scenarios Needed: Alonso gets traded to a team with a 1B hole.
What leagues should he be picked up in: Deep 10 team and 12 team mixed.
9. Dee Gordon
An All-Star last year, Rafael Furcal’s production has fallen off a cliff this season due to injuries and diminishing skills. With a .176 average in 130 at-bats, the Dodgers will look for someone that’s willing to take on his contract and hope for a rebound.
If Furcal is traded, expect Dee Gordon to take his place. Called up earlier this year, Gordon started out strong only to slump and get sent down. But during his time in the big leagues, he showed fantasy owners his tremendous steals potential with 9 steals in 82 at-bats.
Gordon has 174 steals in 4 minor league seasons and can help in both runs and steals. But don’t expect power (only 7 HR’s in those 4 seasons.)
Scenarios Needed: Dodgers unload Rafael Furcal’s salary on another team.
What leagues should he be picked up in: Deep 10 team and 12 team mixed. Or if you need steals.
10. Mike Minor
The Braves have been one of the most active teams at the deadline and in trade rumors. If the Braves make an impact deal, expect them to trade from their stockpile of young arms (Teheran, Vizcaino, Delgado, Minor). I expect Teheran and Vizcaino to be near untouchable but Minor is a good young arm I could see them likely to deal.
If Minor is traded, fully expect to see him in his new team’s rotation. The 23 year old has been squeezed from the major league rotation but that’s moreso due to the great emergence of Jair Jurrjens and Brandon Beachy then his own doing.
A Minor for Beltran deal has been rumored and I’d love to see the young southpaw pitch most of his games in Citi Field.
Scenarios Needed: Mike Minor gets out of Atlanta’s crowded pitching situation via trade.
What leagues should he be picked up in: Deep 10 team and 12 team mixed.
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Super helpful post…thanks!!
Yeah great job with this Brabs. I didn’t realize Dunn wasn’t going to be the guy if they move Nunez.