Mound Musings: Trading Places at the Deadline

The trade deadline has come and gone, and we finally have a few somewhat exciting deals to discuss! Everybody was looking for pitching – not at all surprising given the many injuries and sub-par performances on the mounds this crazy season – but there weren't all that many starting pitchers available who were perceived to be difference makers, and several of those didn't move. That didn't slow down all of the contenders however; many just shifted their focus to hopefully bolster their bullpens. Let's see how changes in latitudes might impact the key arms involved:

Taijuan Walker to Toronto:

Walker was the first named starting pitcher to change uniforms. Being dealt was perhaps expected, but where he landed might qualify as a bit of a surprise. The Blue Jays were apparently serious, as they are beginning to enjoy the development of their young position players, and their pitching has been good enough to keep them in the hunt. Walker has suffered through a long list of injuries, all of which have slowed his personal development, but he appears to be getting it all together this season. He still struggles with command at times, but barring any regression, he's a significant plus to Toronto's playoff aspirations. His debut with the Jays was certainly promising.

Tommy Milone to Atlanta:

For most teams (including fantasy teams) this acquisition won't move the needle, at least not in the right direction, but I wanted to include it to underscore the stretch teams might make trying desperately to fill a need. Milone is a left-handed journeyman who is best suited to long relief. He can start in a pinch – he has already started, albeit briefly (he allowed seven runs while recording just seven outs), for the Braves, but I'm at a loss to explain the appeal. Maybe the Braves think there is something there they can bring out? Stranger things have happened, but I'll have to see it to believe it. 

Mike Clevinger to San Diego:

The Padres landed the peach of the deadline deals when they acquired Clevinger. He was probably the only true top-of-the-rotation arm to change uniforms, and he moves the Friars closer to the Dodgers in the West. Add, to it he might have something to prove given the fact that him being dealt was influenced by Zach Plesac and him breaking COVID-19 safety protocols and going AWOL one evening about a month ago. You have to like the better offense, and there is time on his contract so hopefully he'll get to enjoy pitching in PETCO Park next year. He slots into a rotation that includes Dinelson Lamet and Chris Paddack, making them a formidable opponent come October.

Mike Minor to Oakland:

When you're desperately seeking more pitching, and who wasn't, you sometimes take a flyer on a struggling veteran. Minor fits that description. His velocity is down a couple ticks, and his command has been very spotty leading to an 0-5 record with an ugly 5.66 ERA with the Rangers. Assuming he is healthy (the A's likely would not have acquired him if he wasn't), his problems are probably in his mechanics. Word is he may start in the bullpen to try and work things out, and if the A's get him back on track, he could return to being a fantasy asset.

Robbie Ray to Toronto:

I love Ray's stuff. When he hits his spots, he's a strikeout machine. That's the problem though. This season more than any, Ray has been a left-handed version of Ricky Vaughn without his glasses. He has always struggled with maintaining his release point. This year he changed his mechanics, and it backfired. He has 43 punch outs in 31 innings, but he has also walked 31. The Jays didn't spend a lot on him (he'll be a free agent after the season) so he's a pure roll of the dice. If I had roster space, he's the kind of high upside pitcher I might stash, just in case they get him around the plate.

Cal Quantrill to Cleveland:

An interesting day for the Indians with Clevinger moving to San Diego. Quantrill was probably the most visible pitcher coming back, and he fits in their still rather deep rotation/staff. It was a case of quantity over clear quality in the deal, but on the whole it was a solid return for Cleveland. Quantrill fits best, at least right now, as a swingman where he can provide innings without being overexposed. My guess is he will be deployed as a long man out of the pen while staying stretched out enough to spot start should the need arise as the result of injuries or doubleheaders. Unfortunately that probably makes him more valuable to the Indians than to a fantasy team. 

Caleb Smith to Arizona:

I have not been a huge Smith fan dating back to last year, and his outlook for this year is still somewhat up in the air. Smith was caught up in the COVID-19 outbreak that cost a lot of Miami players the biggest part of a month to begin this season. He made just one appearance with the Marlins (back in July), allowing one run and striking out three over three innings. That's the good news. The bad news is he walked six. He's throwing again, and likely will return soon, but how much rust has accumulated on a pitcher who sometimes struggles with command is difficult go predict. He's young enough (29) to still pan out for the Diamondbacks, but I'd wait until next year and see what happens.

Ross Stripling to Toronto:

The Blue Jays picked up a nice starter early in Walker, then landed a very high risk/high reward possibility in Ray. They then completed their starting pitcher trifecta buy acquiring Stripling from the Dodgers. He is the ultimate swingman, but at least initially, he appears likely to take a regular turn in the rotation, especially with both Matt Shoemaker and Nate Pearson on the injured list, and the status of Robbie Ray's control issues yet to be determined. It's not easy to handle a swingman's duties, but Stripling has consistently managed to smoothly transition from the rotation to the pen, and back again. He may eventually return to that role, but for now, he's a nice addition to their rotation. It's not often a team rebuilds 60 percent of their rotation at the trade deadline. An interesting scenario.

And, in the bullpen, there were several moves of note …

Brandon Workman to Philadelphia:

The Phillies invested a lot in being a playoff contender, and it was working for the most part with the exception of their bullpen. At the trade deadline, they boasted the highest bullpen ERA in MLB, and it was an obvious problem to address. They acquired Boston's closer, Workman, along with a generally competent set-up guy in Heath Hembree. Workman is probably not the ideal ninth-inning option, but he's likely to fare better than Hector Neris who has good stuff, but also has a long history of inconsistency when asked to close games. Workman's value gets a modest boost.

Trevor Rosenthal to San Diego:

The Padres nabbed the best starting pitcher available in Clevinger, but only after adding the best late-inning reliever out there. With closer Kirby Yates out for the year, this was a clear need for San Diego as they hope to overtake the division-rival Dodgers. After a brutal 2019 where he compiled a 13.50 ERA, walking a shocking 26 hitters in just 15 innings, Rosenthal was in the process of resurrecting his career. He never had pinpoint control, but this year he has been in the neighborhood of the strike zone. If he keeps it up – and that's not an absolute – he should get plenty of save chances. Give him a mulligan for last year and hope the plate stays put for him.

Taylor Williams, Dan Altavilla and Austin Adams to San Diego:

They got their starter (Clevinger) and they got their closer (Rosenthal), but the Padres still had work to do. These three guys are now unlikely to make a huge impact in the fantasy world. Williams was actually closing (probably miscast) in Seattle, but he and Altavilla are more likely to see work in the sixth or seventh innings in San Diego. Adams is currently working his way back from knee surgery last fall, but should see similar work when he returns later this month. They all have decent stuff and add valuable bullpen depth, but are pretty far down on the food chain.

Andres Munoz to Seattle:

This one is a heads up for keeper and dynasty owners. Part of the return the Mariners received from San Diego is very possibly their future closer. Munoz has a cannon for an arm, averaging triple digits – that's right, averaging – with his fastball. There was considerable buzz about him, but unfortunately he required Tommy John surgery in the spring, so he won't be back until probably May 2021. Put him on your list.

Mychal Givens to Colorado:

This one offers potential fantasy impact. Givens is now with Colorado where their depleted bullpen could possibly bump up his fantasy value. He has worked primarily in a set-up role with Baltimore, but he does have 20 career saves and closing experience never hurts. The rub on Givens is vulnerability to left-handed hitters, so there's risk, especially in Coors Field, but the Rockies have no one who stands out as a closer. If you need saves (or at least holds) he could be a source, but again, there is risk attached.

Archie Bradley to Cincinnati:

At almost every deadline, we have a bit of a headscratcher, and this might be the one. The Reds have been a disappointment this season, currently under .500 and on the outside looking in for a playoff spot, but maybe they think there is still time to make a run. Bradley is a quality reliever actually best suited for key spot, sometimes multiple innings, work. It looks like he'll fill that role in Cincinnati with Raisel Iglesias maintaining the closer's gig. Unfortunately for Bradley owners, very few save chances in the future will equal a major hit to his fantasy value going forward.

And, on the fringe:

There were several other relievers dealt at the deadline. For example, the Cubs added bullpen depth in Josh Osich and lefty Andrew Chafin, the Phillies bolstered their struggling bullpen with experienced set-up man David Phelps. The Diamondbacks added Travis Bergen who has some upside, and the Mets tried to shore up their shaky pen with Miguel Castro. In one of the more interesting bullpen additions, if the Rays can straighten out Cody Reed he could potentially be a force at the back of their pen.

Some Notable Rotation Ramblings:

• The Cardinals Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina have been working together for a very long time, and it shows. They always seem to be on the same page. Now 39-years-old, Wainwright is a "what you see is what you get" guy, but the team could be a factor in the playoffs, and that lights his fire.
• Last year my notes on Deivi Garcia read, young, smallish, but he has great presence and his stuff moves, watch for improved command. He made his debut for the Yankees and threw all his pitches where he wanted them. Move him up.
• Garrett Richards bounced back from a couple rough outings, pitching three and two thirds shutout innings against the Rockies in Colorado. He was lifted after just 47 pitches, but he was reportedly fine physically, and the team just preferred not to push it, as he was coming back on just three day's rest.
• Minnesota's Michael Pineda returned from a 60-game suspension to make his first 2020 start against a red hot White Sox lineup. Not surprisingly, his command was a little spotty, but he kept them in check for the most part, and perhaps most importantly, he gave them six much needed innings, tossing 81 pitches.
• I continue to be impressed with the Marlins' Sixto Sanchez. I think his pitch sequencing will likely improve with experience, but his stuff is pure nasty, making him potentially dominating every trip to the mound. It's his changeup that's his difference maker, which makes it hard for lefty swingers to connect.
• Cleveland's Triston McKenzie doesn't quite have the pure raw stuff of Sanchez, but he too displays very good mound presence. Interestingly, he's not a horse, he's "wispy" to say the least, but you can add him to the list of recent call-ups who can contribute to a fantasy team's title push.

Endgame Odyssey:

Looking at endgame repercussions brought about by these deadline deals, the door of opportunity has swung open in a few cities. In Kansas City, initial usage suggests that Greg Holland could get the ball most often in the ninth inning. Josh Staumont could also see chances, but his control may still be too inconsistent for a fulltime closer's job. With Workman now in Philadelphia, Matt Barnes appears to be the guy in Boston. I like Barnes's stuff, but he has struggled when asked to close in the past. I think perhaps the most unsettled role assignments could be in Arizona. This could be an open audition period, but I think I would still like to see how Kevin Ginkel fares, especially given the lackluster competition of Hector Rondon, Yoan Lopez and Junior Guerra. Checking on a few other developing stories, Baltimore has relieved Cole Sulser of closing duties. With Hunter Harvey now back off the injured list, it's only a matter of time before he takes over the ninth full time. Similarly, the Tigers have taken Joe Jimenez out of the closer's role. Gregory Soto appears to be the primary benefactor and he has the tools to make it work.