trade deadline Archives | DraftBuddy.com

After a flurry of Friday deals, a number of quality fantasy players changed teams. In case you missed it, check Baseball Trades Fantasy Impact 1 for trades that happened prior to noon on Friday.

C/1B Victor Martinez, Red Sox
Every year there seems to be a middle of the order bat on the move and destined to change a team’s October fortunes. Mark Teixeira has filled that role since 2007 and this year V-Mart takes over. The Red Sox add a polished all-star calibre bat to the middle of a very good batting order and shore up the C/1B/DH rotation all at the same time. The change to a better lineup will result in better production from Martinez and you can expect an uptick across the board (AVG, R, RBI, HR). It’s also important to note that Cleveland’s Progressive Field is dead last in Home Runs while Boston is more towards the middle of the pack at 22. Playing at Fenway and the other AL East launch pads should help Martinez significantly.

SP Jarrod Washburn, Tigers

Washburn joins a hot Tigers team looking to make a playoff run and figures to profit from a few extra win opportunities. Many will note that Washburn is leaving the friendly confines of Seattle’s Safeco Field, but a quick check of the park factors indicates that Seattle is only a notch better than Detroit’s Comerica Park. Washburn’s peripheral stats were a little sneaky to begin with, so you can expect a slide from the 2.7-ish ERA, but he should notch on a few more wins.

1B Nick Johnson, Marlins

Johnson’s injury history and mediocre power stats have made him nearly useless in most fantasy baseball formats. A move to the Marlins will certainly get him more run producing opportunities and a move out of Washington should turn a few fly ball outs into home runs. Even with the help, I don’t recommend buying Johnson unless you are playing in a deep NL only league.

SS Orlando Cabrera, Twins

The Twins filled one of the more glaring holes evident among playoff contenders. Cabrera will add an immediate improvement in hitting production from the shortstop position and Twins studs Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer figure to have a few more RBI opportunities as a result. Cabrera should see an improvement in his counting stats (R, RBI, SB) save Home Runs where you can expect the change of scenery to do little.

3B Scott Rolen, Reds

Rolen got his much sought after trade to move closer to his home in the mid-west and joins a Cincinnati lineup that should offer him an opportunity to at least maintain the pace he set in Toronto. Great American Ballpark is a notoriously good hitting park, but the statistical difference to Rogers Centre is negligible. Expect more of the same from this steady gold-glover.

1B Casey Kotchman, Red Sox, 1B Adam LaRoche, Braves, 3B Jerry Hairston Jr., Yankees, P Justin Masterson, Indians and 3B Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays

All of the above players changed teams on the 31st of July and they are grouped together here because none of them figure to have a fantasy impact. Masterson has a bright future in Cleveland but the rest of this group is either not fantasy quality or was traded into a bench role. None of these are rosterable players except in the deepest leagues.

Every July a host of players change teams as World Series or playoff contenders shore up perceived positions of weakness. In these “pros for prospects” deals, there is no mistaking which team comes out on top during the current season. In the fantasy world though, we have to dig a little deeper to judge the impact of each deal.

SP Cliff Lee, Phillies

After striking out on Roy Halladay, the Phillies went to Plan B and unquestionably improved their rotation. On the surface it’s pretty easy to say that Lee will profit from improved run support, pitching in the NL and team defense. You can’t overlook the move to Citizen’s Bank Park though. The Phillies home stadium has the 8th worst park factor year-to-date, while the Indians’ Progressive Field ranks all the way down at 28th. Lee might help the Phillies win a few more games, but expect his ERA and WHIP to suffer along the way.

2B Freddy Sanchez, Giants

Sanchez was already a legitimate fantasy player and can be counted on to continue hitting for average. What you should see is an increase in his runs scored. Perhaps more importantly, Pablo Sandoval will have somebody to drive home at the top of the lineup. As a team, the Giants figure to take a decent step forward offensively with the additions or Sanchez and Ryan Garko. Keep this in mind when you start pitchers against them.

SS Jack Wilson and SP Ian Snell, Mariners

Of all of the deadline deals, the Mariners acquisition of Wilson and Snell offers the biggest change in fantasy value. Wilson should immediately see a bump in his batting average, OBP and Runs statistics due to his presence in a better hitting lineup. The large outfield will not hurt this line drive hitter as much as it would a power guy. Ian Snell is said to be on his way down to the minors. If he does come back, don’t forget the ballpark factor. Snell could be a decent spot start at home against the right competition. That’s a big improvement from being un-rosterable previously!

1B Ryan Garko, Giants, 1B Adam LaRoche, Red Sox and OF Ben Francisco, Phillies

It probably goes without saying, but none of these guys are going to light the world on fire. Of this trio of minor acquisitions, Garko has a chance to produce somewhat meaningful results and should also have a small positive impact on Kung-Fu Panda’s stats at the plate. LaRoche and Francisco will struggle to get on the field and were acquired to add depth.