Fantasy baseball trade deadline thread | KFFL.com - Fantasy Sports ...

31Jul/11

By Tim Heaney on July 31, 2011

Bourn to run

Your headquarters for fantasy baseball analysis of Major League Baseball's trade deadline moves

[UPDATE 4:25 p.m. ET] The Boston Red Sox have acquired SP Erik Bedard and RP Joshua Fields in a three-team deal which also involves the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mariners will receive OF Trayvon Robinson from the Dodgers and OF Chih-Hsien Chiang from the Red Sox. The Dodgers will receive C Tim Federowicz from the Red Sox and two additional minor leaguers.

Though Bedard's new park isn't as helpful (6.99 career ERA at Fenway Park), he'll have much more run support now that he's actually playing for that team. If he's still available in your league, pounce.

Robinson is an elite speed prospect that could immediately see a chance in Seattle; if not this year, he'll be in camp next season. AL-only players should go after him immediately, and deep mixed speed chasers could take a shot, as long as they don't go overboard on a bid.

Chiang is having a stellar campaign at Double-A Portland and gives Seattle even more outfield depth. The 23-year-old is a stashable prospect in dynasty setups

The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired OF Ryan Ludwick from the San Diego Padres, in exchange for a player to be named later.

FANTASY TIP: Ludwick will be in another pitcher-friendly park, but he now has a better lineup around him. He'll probably stick in the lineup even when Jose Tabata (quadriceps) returns from the DL. This slight bump makes Ludwick worth your time if you're yearning for, say, a fifth outfielder in deep mixed leagues.

This opens up time in the Padres' order for Kyle Blanks to stay in left, and possibly Jesus Guzman to play every day at first base. Both are worth a look in deep mixed leagues if you're hurting for power, but they're hardly guarantees to play. This trade might open up more time for Chris Denorfia, or possibly a promotion of James Darnell, as well. The last one listed is the most intriguing and should be an immediate signing if called up.

[UPDATE 2:50 p.m. ET] The Arizona Diamondbacks are expected to promote 1B Paul Goldschmidt from Double-A Mobile to the major leagues.

Goldschmidt is a must-add in all setups. His raw power and favorable batting ambience could be a boon for the rest of the fantasy season. With the earlier trade of Brandon Allen, Goldschmidt will have a long leash to hold down the 3.

[UPDATE 2:40 p.m. ET] The San Diego Padres have traded RP Mike Adams to the Texas Rangers, in exchange for minor league Ps Robert Erlin and Joseph Wieland.

Looks like Heath Bell is remaining as San Diego's closer. Adams moves to a setup role for Neftali Feliz; he's still a solid acquisition in deep mixed and AL-only setups, but this wasn't what Adams' speculators were hoping for. He still has a shot to close in 2012, though, if Feliz moves to the rotation.

The Atlanta Braves have acquired OF Michael Bourn from the Houston Astros for OF Jordan Schafer and Ps Brett Oberholtzer, Paul Clemens and Juan Abreu.

Bourn was already a top-notch fantasy speed option before the deal; he moves to a better offense that'll make use of his blossoming on-base ability.

Schafer's downgrade in surrounding lineup, however, hurts his already tenuous steals- and runs-based fantasy value. He could still be of use in deep mixed leagues, but he has miniscule power, a hurtful batting average and little power punch.

Oberholtzer has the most upside of the three prospects; all three are merely watchable dynasty commodities at the moment.

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired 1B Derrek Lee from the Baltimore Orioles Saturday, July 30, for minor-league 1B Aaron Baker.

Despite Lee's continuing decline and move to a pitcher-friendly park, his new offensive mates could actually improve his value - better hitters to drive in. CI-needy NL-only managers should wait to see if there are any other more potent bats, but if Lee is the biggest league swapper, he's worth a confident bid.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired RP Brad Ziegler from the Oakland Athletics for 1B Brandon Allen and P Jordan Norberto.

While Ziegler fits a need for Arizona, he doesn't hold any fantasy value. Allen, meanwhile, should get a chance to start for Oakland immediately. Though he has had a rough go of it in his big-league stints, he has massive power potential. His new home park suppresses it, but that's not enough of a deterrent to avoid taking a chance on him in AL-only setups.

Norberto still profiles as a late-inning reliever and could be K help in an AL-only setup if he comes up with the big club.

Source: http://www.kffl.com/fantasy-sports-blog/fantasy-baseball-trade-deadline-mlb/2011/07/31

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