2012 Fantasy Baseball, Trade Deadline: How Recent Trades Affect Player’s Stocks
Brett Myers traded to Chicago (AL)
I start off with this one because it is the easiest. Myers brought value to fantasy owners as a closer, compiling 19 saves for Houston. In other categories such as strikeouts (5.91 K/9) and ERA 3.38 (FIP of 4.13) he was mediocre. Now that he is a White Sock, he will not be getting the majority of the save opportunities, as they have an established closer in Addison Reed.
The one bright spot for those in deeper leagues, is that he is inducing more ground-balls this year, at a 53.7% clip (47.7% career), which means that US Cellular should not hit him too hard. Regardless, his stock is down.
Wandy Rodriguez traded to Pittsburgh
In what was a bit of a perplexing move for real-baseball reasons, the Pirates acquired Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez. The first thing that sticks out is that in Houston he was pitching in the 12th easiest park to hit a home run in, but now in Pittsburgh he will be in the third hardest park to hit one out of. He also goes from pitching for a team that has allowed a .306 BABIP, to one that has allowed a .277 average on balls in play this year. Even though his strikeouts are down this year, at just 6.19 K/9, he has kept the ball on the ground at a 50.7% pace. This should play well with the good Pittsburgh defense, and HR-power sapping ballpark. Rodriguez has performed nearly perfectly in line with his peripherals this year, posting an ERA of 3.79, a FIP of 3.78, and an xFIP of 3.90. Now pitching for Pittsburgh, in PNC Park, he should see a boost in ERA and most likely wins as well. Wandy’s stock is up.
Hanley Ramirez traded to Los Angeles (NL)
On what was the most exciting trade we saw, the Dodgers acquired Hanley Ramirez for Nathan Eovaldi and another minor leaguer. I do not see the change in ballpark helping Hanley much either way, as both suppress power. I think that the change in scenery could be a help, but I really do not see Hanley becoming anything like the Han-Ram of old. Stock is static.
Zack Greinke traded to Los Angeles (AL)
In what may be the biggest blockbuster of the season, Zack Greinke was dealt to the Angels for Juan Seguera and two minor league pitchers.
Greinke has been allowing home runs at a shockingly good pace, at just .51 per 9 innings. He Has lowered his fly-ball rate to 24.3% down from 37.4%, which would signal that the low HR/9 is sustainable. Greinke has started throwing a cutter this year (13.4% of the time), and that pitch has taken up some of the situations in which he would throw change-ups and sliders.
Going from a non-playoff team to a playoff contender should increase Greinke’s win totals, and he may be used on short rest in September if they are still in the playoff hunt.
All in all, I would say Greinke’s stock is up, but slightly.
Written by Spencer Schneier, exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. For more great fantasy baseball advice, give Spencer a follow on Twitter @BaseballSpencer.
(July 26, 2012 – Source: Jason O. Watson/Getty Images North America)
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