This article is part of our In Some Depth series.
For a few weeks, we speculated who might get traded, and who might take those players' spots on their jilted teams if/when they did move. Well, we can speculate no more, as we now know who left, and we have a few days' worth of data about who replaced them.
Without any further ado...
Tigers RF
Yoenis Cespedes is inspiring one too many Festivus-related jokes in Frank and Estelle's home borough. But who is left to air grievances in Detroit? His exit has allowed the Tigers to employ Rajai Davis on a more regular basis. Davis had been limited to starts against left-handed starting pitchers in his previous platoon with Anthony Gose in center, but now the two will play side-by-side in the outfield. That platoon had more to do with Gose's weakness against lefties than Davis' against righties, so the increase in playing time should not impact Davis' rate states too severely.
Indians RF
Starter: Lonnie Chisenhall
Next: Tyler Holt, Ryan Raburn, Jerry Sands
Au revoir Brandon Moss and David Murphy. Murphy and Moss combined for 83 percent of the innings in right for the Indians this season, but both were gone by the end of last week. Into their place steps Lonnie Chisenhall, who had all of four career games in the outfield before his start in right field July 30. At present, there do not appear to be many more attractive options, and it is unclear if Nick Swisher might get a few
For a few weeks, we speculated who might get traded, and who might take those players' spots on their jilted teams if/when they did move. Well, we can speculate no more, as we now know who left, and we have a few days' worth of data about who replaced them.
Without any further ado...
Tigers RF
Yoenis Cespedes is inspiring one too many Festivus-related jokes in Frank and Estelle's home borough. But who is left to air grievances in Detroit? His exit has allowed the Tigers to employ Rajai Davis on a more regular basis. Davis had been limited to starts against left-handed starting pitchers in his previous platoon with Anthony Gose in center, but now the two will play side-by-side in the outfield. That platoon had more to do with Gose's weakness against lefties than Davis' against righties, so the increase in playing time should not impact Davis' rate states too severely.
Indians RF
Starter: Lonnie Chisenhall
Next: Tyler Holt, Ryan Raburn, Jerry Sands
Au revoir Brandon Moss and David Murphy. Murphy and Moss combined for 83 percent of the innings in right for the Indians this season, but both were gone by the end of last week. Into their place steps Lonnie Chisenhall, who had all of four career games in the outfield before his start in right field July 30. At present, there do not appear to be many more attractive options, and it is unclear if Nick Swisher might get a few starts in right once he returns from teh disabled list.
Phillies CF
Starter: Odubel Herrera
Next: Jordan Danks
Ben Revere had only been a nominal starter of late anyway. In the month of July, he tallied 10 starts to Herrera's 15. Herrera had a .969 OPS in those starts, and he may be hitting the point in the season where is has begun to adjust to the league's adjustments to him. The Phillies recalled Jordan Danks from Triple-A Lehigh on Friday, but he has an all-glove, no-bat profile.
Brewers OF
Starters: Khris Davis, Shane Peterson
Next: Logan Schafer, Elian Herrera
Gerardo Parra's deparrature cleared a logjam in left that had been in place since Davis returned from the disabled list at the beginning of July. It appears right field is all his for now, so maybe it's time to start hitting? Davis is slugging just .320 since that aforementioned early-July return, and the loss of the platoon means he must now face a steady stream of both left-handed and right-handed starting pitchers.
Carlos Gomez's eventual departure from Miller Park leaves an even bigger hole in center. Parra had been the team's No. 2 centerfielder, but their simultaneous exits mean the Brewers must use some combination of Shane Peterson and Logan Schafer in center. Domingo Santana's name came up has been buzzy since the Brewers acquired him in the Gomez deal, but be profiles more as a corner glove than a guy who will play center everyday.
Mariners LF
In the mix: Seth Smith, Franklin Gutierrez
Dustin Ackley's playing time in Seattle had been trending down lately (way down), but his departure portends good news for Seth Smith. Smith and Ackley had been spltting time against right-handed starters, but all of those at-bats should go Smith's way now. Franklin Gutierrez will continue to play against lefties (until he ends up back on the disabled list).
Rays LF
In the mix: Mikie Mahtook, Grady Sizemore, John Jaso, Brandon Guyer, Desmond Jennings
The Rays have used many men in left field this season, and David DeJesus had been used the most often, with 44 starts in 101 games. His departure for winning-er climes leaves a little bit of a vacuum in left, which should be filled by a mix of Mike Mahtook, Grady Sizemore, John Jaso, and Brandon Guyer. Desmond Jennings could shoot to the top of that group if he can successfully rehab himself back from a 60-day DL stint.
A's 2B
Starter: Eric Sogard
Next: Brett Lawrie, Marcus Semien
Zobrist is a Royal, and the A's are back to their normal Eric Sogard ways at second base. Sogard has a lifetime 70 OPS+, yet he has served as the A's regular second baseman for much of the past three seasons. The team's acquisition of Zobrist was supposed to solve that, but well… you know… Brett Lawrie has played all of 11 innings at second this season for the A's, but he could play there after playing 244 innings at the spot for the Jays the past two seasons, to middling results. Marcus Semien could also move across the diamond to play second given his previous experience at the position and his less-than-stellar play at short.
Rockies SS
Starter: Jose Reyes
Next: Daniel Descalslo
In the minors: Trevor Story
This is easy. Out with Troy Tulowitzki. In with Jose Reyes. Sub in Daniel Descalso infrequently. Call up Trevor Story if/when Reyes hits the disabled list or the 2016 season (whichever comes first). One has to be intrigued at what Reyes might do on the basepaths when the ball is flying at Coors Field, but an equal level of intrigue should be shared with Trevor Story, who has slugged .540 between Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Albuquerque.
