The MLB Trade Deadline has passed and we can now sift through the roster changes. The majority of the players traded are already rostered, but some value can remain on the waiver wire. Some of the names below will include players with an opportunity that was not there (or not as obvious) prior to the deadline.
Pick Them Up
David Bote – 2B/3B, Chicago Cubs
Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 2%
The Cubs’ fire sale was difficult to watch, but it opens opportunities for players like Bote. Cubs management have always thought highly of him and he's healthy for the first time in months. Bote will get a lot of at-bats and has enough power to be fantasy-relevant.
Adam Duvall – OF, Atlanta Braves
Yahoo: 60%, ESPN: 53%
The Braves traded for an entirely new outfield and I think Duvall gets the opportunity to play every day. He has an excellent arm and I have been steady on adding his power to fantasy teams. His rostership is higher so check his availability.
Myles Straw OF/SS, Cleveland Indians
Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 24%
I did not see Straw being moved, but going to Cleveland is as good a situation for him to get consistent at-bats. I don't expect a bump in production but more a plateau based on playing time. His speed being available on the wire is still a mystery.
Jorge Soler – OF, Atlanta Braves
Yahoo: 52%, ESPN: 56%
Leaving Kauffman Field appears to be one of the better things for the 29-year old.
Cesar Hernandez – 2B, Chicago White Sox
Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 40%
The White Sox team co-leaders for home runs are Jose Abreu and … Cesar Hernandez. His power will play at home and as a switch-hitter.
Patrick Wisdom – 1B/3B, Chicago Cubs
Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 26%
Wisdom has legit power and like so many Cubs infielders left on the team, plenty of at-bats.
Worth A Look
Carter Kieboom – 3B/SS, Washington Nationals
Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 2%
The addition of Trea Turner in the Max Scherzer deal and Starlin Castro’s legal troubles opens an opportunity for Kieboom on the left side of the infield. His latest stint with the big club has not been promising; Kieboom is 1-for-11 with a 4:1 K/BB ratio.
Rafael Ortega – OF, Chicago Cubs
Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0%
At 30, Ortega is not an upside player beyond the next month or so. He has been excellent in July with the playing time he has been given. The outfielder is hitting .354 with five runs, three RBI and one stolen base in 53 plate appearances this month.
Jacob Stallings – C, Pittsburgh Pirates
Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 13%
Catcher-needy teams did not bite on the 31-year-old, and that is okay. He appears to enjoy his role in Pittsburgh and has a career-best .402 slugging percentage so far this season.
Short-Term Solutions
Josh Harrison – 2B/3B/OF, Oakland Athletics
Yahoo: 27%, ESPN 51%
Harrison’s addition hurts Jed Lowrie and Tony Kemp, but until their roles are secured, it is difficult to get excited about either of this trio. The reason to target Harrison is giving up assets to add the former All-Star.
Hunter Renfroe – OF, Boston Red Sox
Yahoo: 47%, ESPN: 65%
The addition of Kyle Schwarber complicates the Red Sox outfield once Schwarber is healthy. Renfroe will continue to play a lot until then.
Abraham Toro – 3B, Seattle Mariners
Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 4%
Toro is the only player in MLB history to hit a home run for and against the same two teams in MLB history. He is also getting playing time at second base with Kyle Seager in town. Toro appears to be the heir to the hot corner throne.
I Am Skeptical
Yan Gomes – C, Oakland Athletics
Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 6%
Gomes’ move to Oakland hurts the fantasy value of Sean Murphy and himself. Both have power but this appears to be headed for a fight for playing time.
Eddie Rosario – OF, Atlanta Braves
Yahoo: 64%, ESPN: 76%
He's a couple weeks out from playing due to an abdominal strain, which hurts his chances of playing time once he is available. The biggest plus for Rosario is that he hits left-handed.
