Winners and losers from the MLB trade deadline

I was pretty caught up on all the happenings until the Zack Greinke trade, when I was working the real job for a few hours. And now I feel left behind! So this is as much for me as it is for you.

Let’s find out who won and who lost at the trade deadline—the fantasy baseball edition, of course. This is Fake Teams, after all.

WINNERS

Zack Greinke (Hou - P), 99% owned

How can you not be excited about a pitcher moving from any team to join Houston? The idea that Greinke could be even a tiny bit better AND enjoy the backing of that Astros offense is just downright formidable.

Nick Castellanos (ChC - OF), 80% owned

Getting to hit in front of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo? Fleeing Detroit’s offense for the Cubbies?

Marcus Stroman (NYM - P), 73% owned

This one feels a bit obligatory, and with the flurry of moves it seems like it happened forever ago. But a move to Citi Field has to be a bonus. Here’s more on Stroman to the Mets.

Hunter Renfroe, Manny Margot, Wil Myers (all Padres outfielders)

The Padres addressed their logjam in the outfield by dealing away Franmil Reyes. The three aforementioned should have an everyday chance to shine. I’m adding Margot in as many places as I can. Myers, to me, is more of a dart-throw given his extended slump. Renfroe (63%) is not owned nearly enough, however. Myers (42%) is the bigger name, but Margot (17%) is up to 15 swipes already and seems a bit more bankable to me at this juncture.

Franmil Reyes (Cle - OF), 54% owned

Not having to play the field all the time, just getting to focus on bludgeoning baseballs? Everybody say amen!

Jose Leclerc (Tex - P), 47% owned

I hesitate to add him here as he’s been so unreliable in 2019. Still, he should be in the mix for saves moving forward, and that bears mentioning.

Archie Bradley (Ari - P), 43% owned

He didn’t get traded elsewhere, which means he still has a chance to keep the closer’s gig in Arizona.

Zac Gallen (Ari - P), 37% owned

This one might be controversial, but I like that Gallen is with a new team with a better chance at securing wins. Given the humidor effect and Gallen’s recent performance, I am not worried about the park shift. I think Gallen is a must-own player in fantasy baseball right now.

Josh VanMeter (Cin - 2B, 3B, OF), 38% owned

Yasiel Puig moving on just solidifies the fact that VanMeter has everyday at-bats waiting on him. Here’s JT with a little more on VanMeter and this trade.

Jesus Aguilar (TB - 1B), 38% owned

Maybe the change of scenery will open up last year’s 35-homer power. Between DH and first base, maybe Aguilar will nab something of an everyday role in Tampa. He’s worth a dart-throw if you need power. Here’s JT with more of an in-depth look at Aguilar to Tampa. As JT states, Eric Thames owners can probably be feeling pretty good, too.

Adam Duvall (Atl - 1B, OF), 30% owned

The Braves did not add an outfielder at the deadline, likely due to the recent red-hot performances of Duvall and Ender Inciarte. With Nick Markakis shelved and Austin Riley slumping, Duvall has a serious chance to be an impact power bat down the stretch.

Tanner Roark (Oak - P), 26% owned

The Athletics really needed an arm, and I don’t know how excited Oakland’s supporters will be with this one. However, Roark has been useful in the past and now gets a positive shift to Oakland’s cavernous home digs. I’m not relying on him anywhere, but if you were (or if you are desperate for a decent back-end starter) Roark is a solid add.

Corey Dickerson (Phi - OF), 24% owned

C-Dick should get a decent pathway to at-bats in Philly, though the return of Jay Bruce may muddy the waters a bit. For now, though, I’d add away if I needed some pop.

Joe Jimenez (Det - P), 21% owned

Should get the first crack at closing duties now that Shane Greene is gone to Atlanta.

Trevor Richards (TB - P), 9% owned

So he was demoted to relief in Miami...so what? Who doesn’t want a piece of that Tampa Bay pitching pie? I could see Richards operating as a bulk reliever. I am taking a dart-throw on this guy in my next waiver wire runs.

LOSERS

Luke Jackson (Atl - P), 53% owned

The Braves added three relievers at the deadline: Shane Greene, Chris Martin, and Mark Melancon will now muddy the waters in Atlanta. But Greene should take over closing duties, and I’d imagine Martin might move ahead of Jackson in the pecking order, too. Here’s more on Chris Martin from JT.

Sergio Romo (Min - P), 43% owned

This one stings, as he was my third reliever in a good bit of places. He’s now relegated to middle/later relief work in Minnesota, as Taylor Rogers should have a stranglehold on closing duties.

Jose Urquidy (Hou - P), 25% owned

After getting roughed up against Cleveland yesterday, it would appear that Urquidy is potentially losing his gig in Houston after the additions of Zack Greinke and Aaron Sanchez. And don’t laugh at Sanchez—he is EXACTLY the sort of project that the Astros excel at taking on. Either way, Urquidy’s days as a streamer may be behind him if he doesn’t turn the corner soon.

Hunter Strickland (Was - P), 15% owned

Strickland is a major bummer for those who held onto him, thinking he would reclaim the closer’s role in Seattle. Now he’s relegated to middle relief work in Washington, as is lefty Roenis Elias, who also moved from Seattle to Washington. Here’s more from JT on the Washington roster moves.

It should be said that I view Yasiel Puig and Trevor Bauer moving as fairly lateral moves. I also think Nick Anderson—who was the presumed closer in Miami—may retain value in Tampa and even get a shot at saves. So if you added him in places, I’d hold on for now.

Who won or lost on your fake teams? I’m cutting Daniel Hudson after speculatively adding him in a ton of places a week ago. Let me know if I made any glaring omissions. Chime in below in the comments!