Mound Musings: The Trade Winds Are Blowing

I love this time of year because a change of scenery can be a huge boost to the value of a pitcher struggling to survive in his old haunts. Yes, it's true, a deal can also be a ticket to oblivion, and those instances are usually just as noteworthy in the fantasy scheme of things. Interestingly, going from a contender to a rebuilding team isn't always a bad thing, and going from a disaster to the penthouse in the division standings, while normally a good thing, can be problematic as well. The trade winds have already been blowing, and it's again time to see who went where, what it means, and what other deals might be on the horizon. There's still time on the clock, so maybe we can speculate on who might still be in play. Let's see how changes in latitudes might impact the arms involved so far:

Jose Quintana to Chicago (NL):

The under-performing Cubs made the first big splash in the deadline derby by acquiring Quintana from the White Sox. He immediately made an impression by hurling seven shutout innings (with 12 strikeouts) in his first outing for the north-siders. After a huge 2016, the young Cubs were expected to establish a dynasty, but after a so-so first half hovering around .500, the results have been far from dominating. A lackluster rotation has been a significant factor, so nabbing someone like Quintana could be a huge boost. Luckily for the Cubs, division-leading Milwaukee and the other teams have their own holes to fill, so the opportunity to make a playoff run is there for the taking.

Quintana isn't an ace, but he has top-of-the-rotation skills, a history of providing quality innings (more than 200 in each of the last four seasons), which will help the bullpen as we get deeper into the season, and he figures to benefit from the jump to a somewhat friendlier Wrigley Field and the National League in general. Having spent his career with the White Sox, he's not as familiar to NL hitters, which also provides a bit of an edge.

I'd be remiss if I didn't explore the other side of the deal. The White Sox have been quietly collecting a stable of potential stars, including the diamond in this deal, outfielder Eloy Jimenez. Subtracting Quintana certainly opens some doors in their rotation, and there's a good chance Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, and/or Dylan Cease will get a look at some point during the last couple of months, and all three have potential fantasy impact. With the recent return of Carlos Rodon, we're getting a preview of the future, and it looks bright. This clearly is a team to watch.

Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson to Washington:

Sometimes pitching help comes in the form of bullpen additions. That certainly has been the case for the high-flying Nationals with the acquisition of both Doolittle and Madson. Washington is about 20 games over .500 despite a bullpen that has been nothing short of abysmal most of this season, and they have a comfortable lead in the NL East. They have a sometimes spectacular rotation, but front-to-back, the bullpen has cost manager Dusty Baker a lot of toothpicks this season.

Before you get too excited from a fantasy perspective, it might be prudent to step back and take a closer – not to be confused with "closer" – look at the likely repercussions. Both pitchers provide experience and competence as set-up guys. Both have closed in the past, but that's not their ideal role. Doolittle hasn't allowed a hit to a left-handed hitter all year but that's in limited innings because of his fragile health. He and Madson are both better when their workloads can be carefully managed.

With Koda Glover, the only reliever who has demonstrated some reliability in the end game, out until at least mid-August, and barring another acquisition – a very real possibility – Doolittle and Madson likely will share the closing duties depending on matchups and availability. Ideally, someone else will take the ninth allowing the new guys to do their thing in the seventh or eighth, but that depends on at least one more addition, and with Joe Ross out, the rotation may need help too.

David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle to New York (AL):

It's a rich get richer deal that makes the Yankees bullpen ridiculously deep, but it will also probably cause some shuffling of fantasy rosters. With Aroldis Chapman entrenched as the Yankees' closer (barring any further health concerns) and set-up anchor Dellin Betances on board, neither Robertson nor Kahnle figure to see save opportunities. They will both probably accumulate holds, pitching in high leverage situations, and they do provide a lot of insurance in the Bronx.

By cleaning house in this one, including third baseman Todd Frazier, the Yankees put a lot of pressure on the arch rival Red Sox, and I think there's a good chance they aren't done. Keep in mind, they just lost Michael Pineda to Tommy John surgery, so there's a hole in the rotation. They currently are running out a patchwork of Bryan Mitchell and Luis Cessa, in the five spot, but neither is the stalwart they would prefer to deploy in a pennant race. They do have a blue chip prospect, Chance Adams, waiting in the wings, but they likely would hope to add a veteran starter. If they fail to acquire that veteran presence, look for Adams in August, and a heavy reliance on that bullpen.

So, what does this mean for the Sox bullpen? Robertson was their closer, and with the eternally injured Nate Jones out for the year, Kahnle was the presumed heir apparent. Time for Plan D. Anthony Swarzak has been very good but he's better suited to longer relief, they did get Tyler Clippard from the Yankees, and he will reportedly get the first shot, but he has struggled and doesn't really figure into their future, while Jake Petricka has some closing experience, but he's currently on the disabled list. Let's be honest; none of those sound very exciting. Perhaps they'll give one of their prized kids a shot? A profile closer, Michael Kopech has been starting at Double-A Birmingham, and then there's Lucas Giolito who has the tools also. Certainly names to ponder.

Keeping vigil while teams continue to test the trade waters:

At deadline for this article, there were still plenty of trade rumors circulating. One of my favorites, Justin Verlander, has been mentioned prominently as a possible target for contenders. He has a heavy no-trade clause, but I'd love to see him in a new city for the possible spike in intensity. His price tag will be high as there is team control past this season in his contract, but with Quintana off the board, Sonny Gray should draw plenty of interest. Across the bay, the Giants have been experiencing a lost season so names like Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija have surfaced, and in San Diego, teams are checking on Trevor Cahill. Even the soon-to-be potential free agent Yu Darvish has been a thought, albeit many think the Rangers would like to keep and re-sign him. Several key relievers also are being talked about, including Justin Wilson (Tigers), Brad Hand (Padres) and Addison Reed (Mets). Obviously, if any of these arms move there could be significant impact on the saves category. I'll be updating in the comments below if and when other deals occur, so stay tuned.

Some Notable Rotation Ramblings:

• As mentioned above, with Michael Pineda gone for the year, and probably all of next year, the Yankees will assuredly be looking for a steady arm to fill that rotation spot. They have been taking on water for the past month or so, but the strong start has allowed them to remain in the race in the rugged AL East.

• Joe Ross also has a partially torn UCL meaning Tommy John surgery and a hole in the Nationals' rotation. They have taken a large step toward bolstering their bullpen but they are probably looking for a reliable arm to replace Ross in the rotation. They have playoff depth so the target just needs to supply innings.

• The Angels will be quite anxious to see where Tyler Skaggs is along the developmental timeline, and fantasy managers might want to check in as well. Skaggs has been out with an oblique injury, but he's currently on a rehab assignment, and could return in early August. He has some upside.

• A team seriously in need of rotation reinforcements, the Reds starters have compiled an ERA north of 6.00 this season (third worst since MLB started keeping ERA as a stat) but they will also hope to see Anthony DeSclafani in August. He's expected to make a rehab start this weekend.

• I'm always skittish with shoulder injuries, but if the Indians' Danny Salazar was cut loose in your league, he could be a high reward pick up. He's expected to return from the disabled list on Saturday, and with his stuff, if he's fully healthy and has his mechanics ironed out, he could be a very valuable commodity.

• I always have a hard time recommending Colorado starters, but I'm really liking Jeff Hoffman more and more each time I see him. You probably should avoid home starts, especially against better hitting teams, but if you limit his exposure, he can be a valuable asset to your fantasy pitching staff.
  

The closing assignment continues to swing much like a pendulum in St. Louis between Seung Hwan Oh and Trevor Rosenthal. Oh looked better in a few outings, but has again struggled so the responsibilities appear to be heading back to Rosenthal. This will remain a fluid scenario unless one of them steps up. It's been kind of an up and down season for Seattle's Edwin Diaz, but he has looked dominant lately. He has the kind of stuff that can shut down opponents when he trusts it. With Doolittle and Madson both gone, Oakland has fewer choices to think about as Santiago Casilla continues to fumble. Their best bet for the future is probably Frankie Montas, but Liam Hendriks may be a viable option right now. The Orioles have eased Zach Britton back into their bullpen mix, affording Brad Brach a couple more save opportunities. He still hasn't pitched on consecutive days, but it appears he is ready to step back into the ninth.