Fantasy Impact of Justin Upton Trade: Part 2

In Thursday's noon piece, I discussed the fantasy impact of the players involved in the Arizona-Atlanta trade that sent Justin Upton to the Braves, along with Chris Johnson, for Martin Prado, Randall Delgado and a few prospects. Today, I will discuss how this trade impacts a few other players on each roster.

But before I get to that, let's take a look at what Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers has accomplished this offseason. His first trade this offseason saw him deal outfielder Chris Young to the A's for shortstop Cliff Pennington, who just signed for two years for $5 million. Young is an excellent defensive outfielder with a solid power/speed tool, but he was very prone to the strikeout.

Then he proceeded to deal top pitching prospect Trevor Bauer to the Indians in a three way deal. The Diamondbacks traded Bauer, and relievers Bryan Shaw and Matt Albers and in return they received shortstop prospect Didi Gregorius, reliever Tony Sipp and first base suspect Lars Anderson.

And now the Upton deal.

So, let's take a look at the roster turnover in Arizona:

Arizona traded: Chris Young, Trevor Bauer, Matt Albers, Bryan Shaw, Justin Upton, Chris Johnson

Arizona received: Cliff Pennington, Didi Gregorius, Tony Sipp, Lars Anderson (susbsequently DFA'd), Martin Prado, Randall Delgado, Nick Ahmed, Zeke Spruill, and Brandon Drury

Seems to me like they gave up a lot of talent for very little. Reports out yesterday stated that the Diamondbacks are looking for guys that play like Kirk Gibson did when he was a player. Look, as a Dodgers fan, I still get chills when I see replays of his dramatic game 1 home run in the 1988 World Series, but if he is behind the trading of all this talent, this organization may long regret these trades down the road.

Now let's take a look at a few more players whose fantasy values were impacted by the Justin Upton trade:

Adam Eaton

Before this trade went down, I had the thought that Eaton would be the Diamondbacks starting centerfielder, but that may not have been the case. With Upton, Cody Ross, Jason Kubel and Gerardo Parra already on the roster, Eaton could have started the season in AAA with Ross and Parra manning center for manager Kirk Gibson. Not now. Eaton will be the starter in center, Ross in right field and Kubel in left field. Eaton will be the leadoff hitter the Dbacks have been searching for for several years. He has little pop, but knows how to get on base and steal a few bags, so he will be very fantasy relevant in 2013. He has more value in NL only leagues than in standard mixed leagues this season, as he should be a mid-round outfield target. Then again, with a hot spring, he could shoot up a few rounds.

Matt Davidson

With the trade for Martin Prado and the subsequent talk about signing him to an extension, one has to wonder what GM Kevin Towers will do with third base prospect Matt Davidson. Davidson hit .261-.367-.469 with 23 HRs, 81 runs and 76 RBI last season in AA ball, and he knows how to take a walk as his 12% walk rate would indicate. But, he has shown a propensity to swing and miss a bit (22% last season), which may not be what Towers is looking for in a third baseman based on his recent deals to trade Justin Upton and Chris Young this offseason. Upton and Young have been known to strike out quite a bit, so Davidson could end up as trade bait come July 31^st, assuming Prado is signed to an extension before then.

Gerardo Parra

A few hours after the trade was announced, there were reports that the Diamondbacks want to give each of their outfielders 450-500 at bats in 2013. That is good news for Gerardo Parra as he has never had 500 at bats in any of his four major league seasons. Parra only has value in NL only leagues, but should be good for a .270 BA, 7-10 homers and 15 stolen bases. He will backup all three outfielders and should see 3 starts a week.

Juan Francisco

The 25 year old third baseman does one thing well, and it is not a good thing. He strikes out a ton. He also has power, as he has hit 20+ homers at three different levels in the minors, and barely missed hitting 20 at AAA. He will more than likely be in a platoon with Chris Johnson at third base, but I see Johnson getting most of the at bats in Atlanta until someone better comes along.

Julio Teheran

The Braves have now traded away Tommy Hanson and Randall Delgado this offseason, so 2013 will be the year that we finally get to see what Teheran can do in a big league rotation. He has proven that he has nothing to prove in AAA, even with the sub-par performance last season. He was hurt by the long ball last year, and talk of a flat fastball is the main reason. I am sure Atlanta pitching coaches will work with him in spring training to change some things. Once a top prospect, his star has fallen over the last few seasons, so with a few minor changes he could quiet his critics in 2013.