Fantasy Baseball Trade Deadline Tracker: Jack Flaherty gets bump with Dodgers; Eloy Jimenez gets second life (2024)

The trade deadline has come and gone, and if you weren't keeping tabs on it, you missed a lot.

Fortunately, there's the Trade Deadline Tracker to sum it all up for you. Here, you'll find quick-hitting analysis from Chris Towers and myself (Scott White) and all the moves that matter for Fantasy Baseball, beginning with the Dodgers' big acquisition of Jack Flaherty right at the buzzer.

Other notable moves include Jazz Chisholm to the Yankees, Isaac Paredes to the Cubs and a three-team deal that gives Miguel Vargas room to roam with the White Sox. The story of the deadline, though, was probably the Marlins, who built a stable of prospects through a series of savvy moves.

Buckle in because it's a wild ride.

Jack Flaherty traded to Dodgers

Flaherty was one of the most obvious candidates to be moved at the deadline, and he ends up with one of the World Series favorites just under Tuesday's deadline. Flaherty is enjoying a heck of a bounce-back season, as he joins the Dodgers with a 2.95 ERA backed up by a 2.95 xERA. He has put up the best strikeout (32%) and walk rates (4.6%) of his career, in large part due to the re-emergence of both his fastball and slider; the fastball has his best whiff rate ever, while the slider whiff rate is his best since 2021. It gives him three legitimate swing-and-miss pitches to lean on, and now he moves from a team with a middling offense backing him up to one of the best in the league.

Jack Flaherty SP

LAD L.A. Dodgers • Age: 28

2024 Stats
W-L 7-5	ERA 2.95	WHIP 0.96	INN 106.2	BB 19	K 133

The question, of course, is whether Flaherty will be able to sustain his success down the stretch. Injuries have been a significant issue for him since his breakout 2019 season, and he has missed some time with a troublesome back injury over the past few months. That injury hasn't really slowed him down, however, as he has a 1.53 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 17.2 innings of work in July, his fastball velocity remaining up from last season. Given his sustained success well into the summer, I don't see much reason to be skeptical about Flaherty, whose chances of racking up a few more wins just went up significantly. He remains a must-start pitcher for Fantasy as long as he stays healthy.

In return for Flaherty, the Tigers are receiving a couple of minor-leaguers: Thayron Liranzo, a catcher who may not be able to stick there long-term, and Trey Sweeney, a shortstop who will probably have to move off that position in the long run. Sweeney is further along of the two, and there's some modest power/speed appeal there; however, he has also hit below .255 at every stop along the way in the minors, so there isn't much to get excited about here. Liranzo is both younger and more well regarded, but if he can't stick behind the plate, his prospect standing takes a big hit; he's hitting just .220/.344/.356 at High-A this season, which is pretty bad for a catcher and completely unplayable for a first baseman. He's young enough to turn things around, but this is a pretty underwhelming return for Flaherty in a market where single-inning relievers have seemingly fetched more. --Chris Towers

Mark Canha traded to Giants

Mark Canha 1B

SF San Francisco • #16 • Age: 35

2024 Stats
AVG .231	HR 7	SB 4	OBP .337	OPS .687	AB 320

Canha gets away from the spacious confines of Comerica Park only to land in one of the other toughest parks in baseball for hitters. It's also likely that Canha is moving from a full-time role in Detroit to a part-time role on a Giants team that loves to platoon. He'll see some time at 1B and the outfield, as well as possibly DH, and it's probably a better lineup he'll find himself in when he's in it. But with Canha likely losing playing time as a result of the trade, the arrow is pointing down for a guy who was already a pretty fringe Fantasy option. Even in 15-team leagues, Canha looks pretty droppable. --Chris Towers

Eloy Jimenez traded to Orioles

The Orioles are taking a shot on Jimenez being able to bounce back from what has been by far the worst season of his career. Jimenez has missed his customary time due to injuries, but when he's been on the field this season, he has hit just .240/.297/.345 with – and I swear this is not a typo – 18 runs and 16 RBI in 65 games.

Eloy Jimenez DH

BAL Baltimore • #72 • Age: 27

2024 Stats
AVG .240	HR 5	RBI 16	R 18	OPS .642	AB 229

When you look under the hood, Jimenez still does some things well. He is in the 91st percentile among all hitters in average exit velocity and 93rd percentile in hard-hit rate, with an xwOBA more than 30 points better than his actual mark. Of course, a .314 xwOBA is still a below-average mark, and the move to Baltimore is no guarantee to fix that. There's no accounting for the effect of moving from the most hopeless team in baseball to one with legitimate championship aspirations, but while BaseballSavant's xHR metric doesn't have Jimenez losing any homers over the past three seasons at Camden Yards, it's still a tough place for a right-handed power hitter to call home. In order for this trade to matter for Fantasy, Jimenez needs to bounce back quickly, because the Orioles have the depth to bury him in a part-time role if he doesn't.

As of now, expect Jimenez to be one of the team's primary DH options, with the potential to figure into the outfield mix if he forces their hand. The arrow is certainly pointing up for Jimenez with the improved landing spot, but unless he can turn things around, it may not matter. This was a salary dump for the White Sox, with the Orioles probably viewing it as a relatively low-stakes opportunity to grab a guy who was once an impact bat. There's upside for Fantasy, but certainly no guarantee that Jimenez will bounce back. --Chris Towers

Bryan De La Cruz traded to Pirates

Bryan De La Cruz RF

PIT Pittsburgh • #41 • Age: 27

2024 Stats
AVG .245	HR 18	SB 3	OBP .289	OPS .707	AB 424

The Pirates find themselves in the unfamiliar position of being on the fringes of the playoff race, and so they saw fit to upgrade what's been a weak outfield corps, apart from Bryan Reynolds. It may turn out that De La Cruz isn't much of an upgrade, though. His productivity with the Marlins basically comes down to his home run total -- he has a pitiful .289 on-base percentage and isn't much of a stolen-base threat -- and it just so happens that he's going to the single worst home run venue for right-handed hitters over the past three years. LoanDepot Park is bad. PNC Park is worse. In fact, Statcast estimates that if De La Cruz had played every game at PNC Park over the past three years, he'd have hit 10 fewer home runs, including four fewer this year. With the Marlins, he was only borderline rosterable in five-outfielder leagues, and this trade likely doesn't improve his standing. --Scott White

Tanner Scott traded to Padres

Tanner Scott RP

SD San Diego • #66 • Age: 30

2024 Stats
SV 18	ERA 1.18	WHIP 1.01	INN 45.2	BB 27	K 53

So much for Tanner Scott being a closer. The left-hander is going to a Padres team that's about as settled in the ninth inning as one could be, with Robert Suarez emerging as an All-Star this year. For all the hand-wringing over Scott early on, he's gone on to have a good season, albeit with a walk rate nearly twice as high as last year. Scott could overtake Jeremiah Estrada and Jason Adam as the backup plan for saves, but then again, because he throws left-handed, the Padres may prefer to keep him versatile. As for who replaces Scott as the favorite for saves in Miami, it may be a committee to start out. Anthony Bender would make some sense, but Calvin Faucher has been the eighth-inning guy lately.

From a real-world perspective, the more interesting side of the deal is the prospect haul going back to the Padres. Starting pitcher Robby Snelling has lost some of his shine with a poor performance at Double-A, but was a consensus top-50 prospect coming into the year. Adam Mazur has made a few starts for the Padres this year, and while they didn't go well, he still profiles as a steady strike-thrower. Graham Pauley likewise has seen his stock slip but was a 20-20 guy with a .308/.393/.539 slash line in the minors last year. Between this, the Jazz Chisholm trade, the A.J. Puk trade and the Trevor Rogers trade, the Marlins continue to buy low on interesting and under-the-radar prospects, giving them more bites at the apple as they look to build a new foundation. --Scott White

Alex Cobb traded to the Guardians

Alex Cobb SP

CLE Cleveland • #35 • Age: 36

2023 Stats
W-L 7-7	ERA 3.87	WHIP 1.32	INN 151.1	BB 37	K 131

The Guardians are taking a bit of a leap of faith on Cobb, who hasn't pitched in the majors this season after offseason hip surgery. There have been some bumps in the road along the way, with a shoulder injury and then his expected debut delayed recently with a blister, but he should be in the Guardians rotation after one more rehab start. His velocity has been a bit down on his rehab, but as The Athletic's Eno Sarris noted, his overall stuff metrics still look pretty good. Cobb isn't an ace, but he has a 3.79 ERA over the past three seasons and should be a solid Fantasy option with the very good Guardians lineup backing him up.

In return the Giants received minor-league pitcher Jacob Bresnahan and a player to be named later. Bresnahan is a 19-year-old who has made one start above the complex level, so he's clearly a ways away. However, the young lefty did pitch well at the complex level, posting 12.3 K/9 and a 2.54 ERA and could be a name to know in, oh, around 2028. --Chris Towers

Trevor Rogers to the Marlins for Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers

Trevor Rogers SP

BAL Baltimore • #28 • Age: 26

2024 Stats
W-L 2-9	ERA 4.53	WHIP 1.53	INN 105.1	BB 46	K 85

It's not hard to see why teams would be interested in Rogers, a big lefty who has looked like an ace at times in the majors and has multiple years of club control left. Of course, that was mostly three years ago at this point, and Rogers' stuff isn't nearly as impressive as it once was, so the Orioles have to be betting on two things: One, that pitching at Camden Yards, with a much better supporting cast will maximize what Rogers is capable of; and two, that they will be able to unlock something the Marlins haven't since his initial breakout. I'm pretty skeptical that there's much upside left here, but Rogers is young enough, and the situation is good enough that it's not impossible that he could take a big step forward here. At the very least, his chances of getting a couple more wins the rest of the way certainly just went up.

Given the very obvious knocks against Rogers, the Marlins seemingly did exceptionally well to get Norby and Stowers in return, and that's actually the more interesting side of this deal for Fantasy. Norby is a 24-year-old with some positional versatility – he has played both corner outfield spots as well as second and third base and even a small amount of shortstop – and should immediately step into an everyday role for the Marlins after struggling to find playing time in Baltimore. He hasn't done well in the majors but is a career .296/.371/.505 hitter in Triple-A, and actually gets a park upgrade moving from Camden Yards to Miami. In deeper leagues, Norby is worth an add in response to this trade.

And Stowers might be, too, with the Marlins sending Josh Bell to Arizona shortly after this deal became official. Stowers is an intriguing talent in his own right who has hit .253/.351/.519 in his Triple-A career. There's some of new teammate Jake Burger in his game, though probably without quite as much raw power, which makes the likeliest outcome that he's just a fringe option in categories leagues, where you're hoping for 25 homers and a batting average that won't kill you. Still, after struggling to find consistent playing time in Baltimore, he should get a shot in Miami. --Chris Towers

Josh Bell traded to Diamondbacks

Josh Bell 1B

See Also

Fantasy Baseball: 10 players whose value could change at the trade deadline, as Zach Britton's already hasFantasy Baseball Trade Values: Overall rankings for H2H, Rotisserie leagues for Week 3Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer: Target these category specialists ahead of Yahoo's default deadlineFantasy Baseball Prospects Report: Trade deadline puts a spotlight on these 15

ARI Arizona • #9 • Age: 31

2024 Stats
AVG .239	HR 14	OPS .699	AB 398	BB 34	K 88

With Christian Walker suffering an oblique strain on the eve of the deadline, the Diamondbacks found themselves with a sudden need at first base. In steps Bell, who has had a disappointing season, but who has been red hot of late, homering five times in his past seven games and hitting .326/.426/.761 over his past 12 games. Bell's career has been defined by inconsistency, and the situation isn't that different than it was a year ago, when the Marlins acquired Bell when he had a .701 OPS. He would go on to hit .270/.338/.480 over the final two months, and he's still capable of that kind of showing. It's a significant upgrade in lineup, probably a neutral park shift, which does give Bell a better outlook, at least for the month or so Walker is likely to be out. Bell is 40% rostered right now and is a worthwhile add as a CI if you're looking for some upside there. --Chris Towers

Jorge Soler traded to Braves

Jorge Soler RF

ATL Atlanta • #2 • Age: 32

2024 Stats
AVG .240	HR 12	OPS .749	AB 341	BB 44	K 97

The MVP of the 2021 World Series is back with the team for which he hit his famous home run in Game 6, and the Braves sure could use him with all the injuries to their outfield. He comes over with another member of that 2021 Braves team, reliever Luke Jackson, in what was essentially a salary dump for the Giants. Soler's production has been lacking and his Statcast page is not quite as red as usual, but he was in even worse shape when the Braves acquired him from the Royals in 2021 and went on to hit .269 with 14 homers and an .882 OPS in 55 regular-season games for his new club He may have started down that path already, having gone 11 for 18 with a homer and three doubles in his past five games.

Ultimately, changing teams probably has no bearing on whether Soler surges down the stretch, but he'll presumably be batting leadoff with some big bats behind him. Consider his value unchanged for the moment, but it wouldn't be a total shock if he became a must-add player down the stretch. --Scott White

Yusei Kikuchi traded to Astros for Joey Loperfido, Jake Bloss

Yusei Kikuchi SP

HOU Houston • #16 • Age: 33

2024 Stats
W-L 4-9	ERA 4.75	WHIP 1.34	INN 115.2	BB 30	K 130

The Blue Jays also received a pretty interesting infielder, Will Wagner, in the deal. From the Blue Jays' perspective, it's a nice return for an impending free agent who hasn't actually pitched all that well this year. From the Astros' perspective, Minute Maid Park wouldn't seem like the best destination for a left-hander with some propensity for the long ball. Granted, Kikuchi's strikeout-to-walk ratio, which ranks 15th among qualifiers, would suggest he's underachieved so far -- as would his 3.98 xERA, 3.64 FIP and 3.39 xFIP -- so you could speculate that he'll benefit from a change of scenery. You might have hoped for better scenery, though.

Joey Loperfido LF

TOR Toronto • #9 • Age: 25

2024 Stats
AVG .236	HR 2	SB 2	OPS .658	AB 106	K 43

From a Fantasy perspective, Loperfido may seem like the big get here, but most real-world prospect lists actually rank Bloss higher. He's made three starts for the Astros this year, having recently returned from a bout with shoulder inflammation, but he had a 1.64 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 8.6 K/9 in 13 minor-league starts. It's more of a pitch-to-contact profile but one that generally works, and it's likely he slots into the Blue Jays rotation right away. Loperfido, meanwhile, could fill the lineup vacancy created by the Justin Turner trade. The left-handed hitter has strikeout issues but has seen his exit velocities spike in the minors this year, indicating real power potential. I'd be more inclined to pick him up than Bloss in a deeper Rotisserie league, but we'll need to see how the playing time shakes out. --Scott White

Frankie Montas traded to Brewers

Frankie Montas SP

MIL Milwaukee • #47 • Age: 31

2024 Stats
W-L 4-8	ERA 5.01	WHIP 1.44	INN 93.1	BB 41	K 78

Montas' disastrous stint with the Reds ends with a move up to the division-leading Brewers, who have had some success setting pitchers on the right path. Montas gives them something to work with, namely a splitter that still generates whiffs at a high rate, but after a year (mostly) lost to shoulder surgery, the command simply hasn't been there. He doesn't have much value now, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him turn things around. Perhaps a change of scenery could trigger it. Going the other way in the deal are Joey Wiemer and Jake Junis, who have been on the fringes of mattering in the past. That's especially true for Wiemer, but with three homers in 235 minor-league plate appearances this year, the 25-year-old isn't of much interest right now. --Scott White

Lane Thomas traded to Guardians

Lane Thomas RF

CLE Cleveland • #8 • Age: 28

2024 Stats
AVG .253	HR 8	SB 28	OPS .738	AB 300	K 72

For as productive as the Guardians offense has been this year, they've once again found themselves short-handed in the outfield. This move, in which they give up Alex Clemmey and a couple other prospects, addresses that need neatly enough. Thomas has remained a must-start Fantasy player after his breakout season a year ago, though the shape of his production has changed a bit. Last year, he had 28 homers and 20 steals over 156 games, but if you pace this year's stats over the same number of games, he ends up with 16 homers and 56 steals. His increased willingness to run is part of the reason you can still feel confident in him even as he heads to a venue that's not so good for right-handed power. Statcast estimates that Thomas would have 11 fewer home runs over the past three years if he played every game at Progressive Field.

With every opening the Nationals create in their outfield (because, remember, they already traded away Jesse Winker), the chances of a Dylan Crews promotion increase. The second pick in last year's draft has a modest .263/.336/.436 slash line between Double- and Triple-A but with strong plate discipline and exit velocity readings underneath it. --Scott White

Justin Turner traded to Mariners

Justin Turner 1B

SEA Seattle • #2 • Age: 39

2024 Stats
AVG .254	HR 6	OPS .720	AB 299	BB 39	K 60

Turner's one season with the Blue Jays was a disappointment, and it seems unlikely that a move to the Mariners, who play in the worst park for hitters statistically, will be what rights him. The Mariners are desperate for offense, though, and will presumably hand full-time DH duties to him, bumping the disappointing Mitch Garver to a part-time role. This move opens up more at-bats in Toronto, though it's not clear that anyone is deserving of them. Alejandro Kirk has already ascended to full-time duty with the Danny Jansen trade, and Joey Votto has yet to resume a rehab assignment after tweaking his ankle. Perhaps Davis Schneider could see more playing time, which might be enough to renew his sleeper appeal. --Scott White

Tommy Edman, Michael Kopech traded to Dodgers.

The Dodgers' return in the three-team deal with the Cardinals and White Sox gives them some much-needed versatility. Playing Mookie Betts at shortstop was always a stretch, and there's been talk during his absence for a fractured hand about shifting him back to second base once he returns. The acquisition of Edman allows for that, or it could instead bolster their outfield should Gavin Lux's recent production continue. The simplest way to put it is that Edman's versatility and all-around defense prowess is a huge asset for a team that's had a difficult time filling holes across the diamond.

Tommy Edman 2B

LAD L.A. Dodgers • Age: 29

2023 Stats
AVG .248	HR 13	SB 27	OPS .705	AB 479	K 84

The Dodgers' interest is also a pretty strong indication that reports on Edman's wrist are good. The 29-year-old has yet to play in a big-league game this season because of a slow recovery from offseason surgery, but he's been on a rehab assignment for much of July. He's been a valued speedster in Fantasy for several years now, contributing mainly to the stolen base category but with modest contributions in batting average and home runs, and his standing only improves in the Dodgers lineup if he's indeed back to full health. You should probably be stashing him in all but the shallowest of leagues.

Michael Kopech RP

LAD L.A. Dodgers • #45 • Age: 28

2024 Stats
SV 9	ERA 4.74	WHIP 1.35	INN 43.2	BB 24	K 59

As for Kopech, it's hard to imagine the Dodgers would include him in their closer committee, at least to start out, so his limited Fantasy appeal is effectively zapped for now. He's still brimming with potential, though, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Dodgers extract more of it, potentially moving him into a more prominent role. As for who replaces him as White Sox closer, I would guess it's a combination of not-so-appealing options. --Scott White

Erick Fedde, Tommy Pham traded to Cardinals

Erick Fedde SP

STL St. Louis • #12 • Age: 31

2024 Stats
W-L 7-4	ERA 3.11	WHIP 1.14	INN 121.2	BB 34	K 108

See Also

Fantasy Baseball Trade Values: Sell high on red-hot rookie Bryce Miller?

Erick Fedde has been a surprise performer this year, not only because he was totally off the Fantasy radar prior to his year spent in Korea but also because it's difficult to pin down exactly what makes him successful. His control is merely decent, his ground-ball rate close to average, and his swinging-strike rate among the worst in the league. Nevertheless, he's been reliable enough for a contender to covet him, with the Cardinals acquiring him in a three-team deal with the Dodgers and White Sox. He's actually won games at a decent clip with the White Sox, but the chances of it continuing of course improve with the Cardinals. I would still think it's more likely he takes a step back than forward, though, judging by his 3.77 xERA, 3.76 FIP and 3.96 xFIP.

Tommy Pham RF

STL St. Louis • #29 • Age: 36

2024 Stats
AVG .266	HR 5	SB 6	OPS .710	AB 271	K 63

The Cardinals are already well acquainted with Tommy Pham, seeing as they're the team that first brought him to the majors, and he presents an immediate upgrade in the outfield over a placeholder like Michael Siani. He'll essentially fill the seat that was being kept warm for Tommy Edman (who now belongs to the Dodgers via this same deal), and the improved lineup should make him viable in five-outfielder leagues again. --Scott White

Miguel Vargas traded to White Sox

Miguel Vargas 3B

CHW Chi. White Sox • #20 • Age: 24

2024 Stats
AVG .239	HR 3	SB 1	OPS .735	AB 71	K 16

Vargas never quite measured up to the Dodgers' defensive standards at any of the positions he tried (namely third base, second base and outfield). Even with the myriad of holes that developed in their lineup this year, they couldn't bring themselves to install him anywhere. The depleted White Sox won't have that trouble, and while it's not yet clear which of their many holes he's in line to fill, you can be certain that Vargas will have every opportunity to contribute offensively.

That's the part of his game that's so intriguing for Fantasy. In 41 games at Triple-A this year, the 24-year-old slashed .290/.440/.566 with eight home runs, eight stolen bases, and more walks (38) than strikeouts (33), and that's basically how his minor-league career has always gone. Judging by the exit velocity readings, his power will more likely be in the 20-homer range than the 30-homer range, but with a good batting average to accompany it. This move makes him a priority pickup in deeper leagues, and he at least bears watching in the shallower ones. --Scott White

Michael Lorenzen traded to Royals

Michael Lorenzen SP

KC Kansas City • #24 • Age: 32

2024 Stats
W-L 5-6	ERA 3.81	WHIP 1.28	INN 101.2	BB 48	K 75

The Rangers aren't thought to be sellers, but they apparently like the upside of Walter Pennington, a left-handed reliever who they acquired in the deal. They also possibly wanted to clear a rotation spot for Tyler Mahle, who just went four innings in his latest rehab outing and is nearing a return from Tommy John surgery. The Royals will presumably install Lorenzen in place of Alec Marsh, but it's unclear whether that's actually an upgrade. Lorenzen has done a reasonably good job limiting damage (and pitching half his games at Kauffman Stadium should help with that) but he's a low-strikeout, high-walk pitcher whose ERA estimators are all verging on 5.00. This trade keeps his Fantasy appeal firmly in the "streamer" category. --Scott White

Isaac Paredes traded to Cubs for Christopher Morel

Isaac Paredes 3B

CHC Chi. Cubs • #17 • Age: 25

2024 Stats
AVG .247	HR 16	OPS .793	AB 361	BB 51	K 68

The Rays continued their sell-off with a move that brings back some major-league talent. In fact, it's almost more of a challenge trade given that Paredes is under control through 2028 and Morel through 2029. Paredes gives the Cubs a more sure-handed defender at third base and a steadier performer at the plate -- in theory, anyway. His power only plays down the left-field line, though, and while he's an expert at delivering the ball there, the outline of Wrigley Field doesn't work in his favor, measuring 355 feet deep at the foul pole. I would expect his production to slip with this move, with a chance of it outright ruining him. Statcast estimates that Paredes would have lost 13 homers the past three years if he had played every game at Wrigley Field.

Christopher Morel DH

TB Tampa Bay • #24 • Age: 25

2024 Stats
AVG .199	HR 18	SB 7	OPS .676	AB 361	K 103

Morel remains more of an upside play at this point, having cut his strikeout rate from 31.0 percent last year to 24.5 percent this year but for some reason failing to live up to his .242 xBA and .451 xSLG. You don't have to squint too hard to see another Randy Arozarena, who the Rays recently traded away, and maybe Morel winds up back in the outfield given his deficiencies at third base. It's possible the Rays just confine him to DH for the time being, but then again, this is the Rays we're talking about. I'd worry about some disruption to Morel's playing time just because that's what they do.

Junior Caminero 3B

TB Tampa Bay • #13 • Age: 21

2024 Minors
AVG .268	HR 13	OPS .868	AB 183	BB 19	K 42

So nothing but bad news? Well, the removal of a third base staple clears a path for Junior Caminero, arguably the top prospect in baseball. It's not clear that the Rays are ready to make that move -- they might prefer to wait until September to keep his rookie status intact for next year -- but the 21-year-old is batting .321 (9 for 28) with two homers and two doubles in seven games back at Triple-A after contending with a strained quadriceps. In addition to Morel, the Rays also acquired an up-and-coming reliever named Hunter Bigge, who could go on to play a critical bullpen role if Pete Fairbanks follows Jason Adam out the door. --Scott White

Jesse Winker traded to Mets

Jesse Winker RF

NYM N.Y. Mets • #3 • Age: 30

2024 Stats
AVG .257	HR 11	SB 14	OBP .374	OPS .793	AB 315

Lately, the Mets had been forced to play Jeff McNeil in the outfield because that's where the need was with the injury to Starling Marte. This trade makes for a more elegant solution. Winker has been a surprisingly useful player this season, not only regaining some of his former hitting (and particularly on-base) prowess after two seasons wrecked by injury but also becoming the unlikeliest of base-stealers. The Nationals had recently taken to sitting him against left-handed pitchers -- a decision supported by the splits -- and you have to figure the Mets will do the same, perhaps even more reliably with them having so much more to play for. He probably loses some value in Fantasy if for no other reason than that, putting him on the fringes in three-outfielder leagues.

On the Nationals side, does this move open the door to a Dylan Crews call-up? Probably not immediately, but some on the Nationals beat have been floating that possibility for a while now. The second pick in last year's draft has a modest .266/.339/.438 slash line between Double- and Triple-A but with strong plate discipline and exit velocity readings underneath it. --Scott White

Carlos Estevez traded to Phillies

If you thought Estevez was a big closer simply because the Angels had no better options, think again. This move unfortunately means that Jeff Hoffman, who has arguably been the best reliever in baseball this year, has even more competition for saves. That's not me saying it but Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. "It wouldn't surprise me if he gets a lot of ninth innings," Dombrowski said.

Carlos Estevez RP

PHI Philadelphia • #53 • Age: 31

2024 Stats
SV 20	ERA 2.38	WHIP 0.74	INN 34	BB 5	K 32

In fairness, Estevez has been better this year than most Fantasy Baseballers probably realize. He's become an elite strike-thrower, which is in stark contrast to the rest of his career. Still, it's hard to see this trade as anything other than a net loss for Fantasy because of what it likely means for Hoffman. And it probably brings down Estevez's stock, too, given that manager Rob Thomson has shied away from conventional bullpen roles all year.

Ben Joyce RP

LAA L.A. Angels • #44 • Age: 23

2024 Stats
ERA 2.33	WHIP 1.29	INN 19.1	BB 10	K 16

The Angels' side of this deal is just as interesting because one of the pitching prospects they're getting back, George Klassen, has generated a fair amount of buzz in the lower minors, going from being a reliever who didn't know where the ball was going in college to a starter with at least some command over his 100 mph heat. The Angels also have to settle on a new closer, and while Ben Joyce would be the most interesting choice with a fastball that peaks at 104, I could see manager Ron Washington leaning toward veteran Luis Garcia, at least until he's traded. --Scott White

Jazz Chisholm traded to Yankees

Jazz Chisholm 3B

NYY N.Y. Yankees • #13 • Age: 26

2024 Stats
AVG .249	HR 13	SB 22	OPS .730	AB 386	K 107

Some trades that send shock waves through the real baseball world are basically of no consequence to Fantasy Baseball, but this one has a chance to matter in both because it represents a night-and-day shift in Chisholm's circ*mstances. OK, so his playing time is unaffected, but he goes from one of the worst lineups in baseball to one of the best and one of the worst parks for home runs to one that's particularly suited for his left-handed stroke. In fact, Statcast estimates that if he had played every game at Yankee Stadium this year, he'd have 19 home runs instead of his actual 13.

Of course, his combined home run and stolen base output is impressive as it is and might lead you to believe he ranks higher than he does, but that's where the supporting cast comes in. For as healthy as Chisholm has been this year (a welcome change from years past), he's on pace for just 72 runs and 78 RBI. Those paces might be 20 higher if he was batting among the Yankees top three all year. The downside for Fantasy is that Chisholm's arrival might forestall Jasson Dominguez's return to the majors, but then again, should Gleyber Torres continue to struggle, it's possible Chisholm could take his place at second base rather than staying in the outfield. His versatility was among the qualities touted by the Yankees brass. --Scott White

Zach Eflin traded to Orioles

Zach Eflin SP

BAL Baltimore • #24 • Age: 30

2024 Stats
W-L 5-7	ERA 4.09	WHIP 1.16	INN 110	BB 13	K 87

As successful as Eflin's first season with the Rays was, it's hard to view this year as anything more than a failure. And because of that, the Rays decided to cut bait on their biggest free-agent signing in history, dealing him for their usual bounty of interesting-but-not-high-end prospects (with the versatile Mac Horvath probably being the most notable). It's a positive development for Eflin, who'll now be backed by a top-five offense rather than a bottom-five offense, but whether the Orioles can help him recapture his 2023 form is the bigger question.

On the one hand, he's still an elite strike-thrower, and his 3.37 xERA isn't so different from last year's 3.02 mark. On the other hand, the Rays are one of the organizations most known for maximizing player outcomes, and they just sold low on him. If nothing else, this move should make you think twice about discarding Eflin in shallower leagues, and if you see him throw his curveball more in an Orioles uniform, you have even more hope for his stock to rise. --Scott White

Yimi Garcia traded to Mariners

Yimi Garcia RP

SEA Seattle • #93 • Age: 33

2024 Stats
SV 5	ERA 2.61	WHIP 0.77	INN 31	BB 8	K 44

Before Garcia even had a chance to reclaim the closer role following his month-long absence for elbow neuritis, the Blue Jays dealt him to the Mariners, who of course already have a closer -- or at least as close as they can come to having one with Scott Servais as their manager. On that note, Garcia likely takes over the uniquely Mariners role of occasional saves vulture, recently vacated by the since-traded Ryne Stanek, but for the most part, this trade ruins Garcia's Fantasy value. It does bring some clarity to the Blue Jays bullpen, with Chad Green no longer facing competition for saves, but it sounds like he could be on the move as well. Stay tuned. --Scott White

Austin Hays traded to Phillies

Austin Hays LF

PHI Philadelphia • #9 • Age: 29

2024 Stats
AVG .255	HR 3	OPS .706	AB 161	BB 9	K 41

The Orioles finally dealt from their outfield excess, trading one of their less-interesting options for right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez. The move does have a chance to resuscitate Hays' value for a couple reasons. The biggest is that he's expected to play every day for the Phillies, shifting Brandon Marsh to center field and bumping the offensively-challenged Johan Rojas from the lineup altogether, but there's also the not-so-small matter of Camden Yards crushing Hays' power the past three years.

In his 65 games there in 2021, the year before they reconfigured it with the deepest left-field fence in baseball, Hays hit .270 with 13 home runs and an .852 OPS. His home OPS in the three years since isn't even within 100 points. It's hard to make much of the data this year with as little as he's played, but if he had played every game last year at the Phillies' home venue of Citizens Bank Park, he would have hit 23 homers as opposed to the 16 he actually hit, according to Statcast. That pace, presuming it holds, would likely make him just a fourth or fifth outfielder in Fantasy, but that's still a big improvement.

Colton Cowser LF

BAL Baltimore • #17 • Age: 24

2024 Stats
AVG .236	HR 14	SB 7	OPS .766	AB 284	K 94

This move has the added effect of freeing up more at-bats for up-and-comers Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad. The presence of Anthony Santander, Cedric Mullins, and Ryan O'Hearn still leave the duo fighting for at-bats, but now if one catches fire, he's more likely to seize a job for himself. It may already be happening for Cowser. --Scott White

Randy Arozarena traded to Mariners

Randy Arozarena LF

SEA Seattle • #56 • Age: 29

2024 Stats
AVG .212	HR 15	SB 16	OPS .712	AB 354	K 103

The first high-profile move of trade deadline season sent one of the hottest hitters of the past two months to one of the coldest lineups. Between that and T-Mobile Park having the worst overall park factor for hitters, this trade may seem like nothing but bad news for Arozarena. And it's not good news -- don't get me wrong -- but the most likely outcome is that his stock remains the same. Tropicana Field is also one of the worst places to hit, and the Rays lineup has also been among the worst in baseball.

The real change for Arozarena is that after hitting .158 through May 31 and seeming to be in premature decline at age 29, he's hit .283 (43 for 152) with seven homers, nine steals, and an OPS near .900 in 44 games since. That's more like the Arozarena we've always known and likely why the Mariners saw fit to acquire him. And as for T-Mobile Park, he's hit .289 (13 for 45) with three home runs and just three strikeouts in 11 career games there. --Scott White

A.J. Puk traded to Diamondbacks

A.J. Puk RP

ARI Arizona • #33 • Age: 29

2024 Stats
SV 1	ERA 4.20	WHIP 1.33	INN 45	BB 24	K 46

Puk's name had been bandied around as a possible stash in deeper leagues should the Marlins trade closer Tanner Scott, but it turns out Puk was the first of the two lefties out the door. He gives the Diamondbacks a nice late-inning bullpen weapon, having recovered from his disastrous stint in the starting rotation to throw 16 consecutive scoreless while striking out 23 and allowing just seven total baserunners, but it's unlikely he'll overtake Paul Sewald for the ninth-inning role.

Mostly, this trade is worth mentioning for one of the prospects the Marlins acquired in return, first baseman Deyvison De Los Santos, who has been one of the minor league's top performers with a .325 batting average, 28 homers and 1.011 OPS between Double- and Triple-A this year. The power is legitimate, but the numbers conceal a concerningly high chase rate and are inflated by favorable hitting environments. Still, De Los Santos will have a better chance of breaking through for the Marlins than he did for the Diamondbacks. --Scott White