Mound Musings: Examining Trade Deadline Pitching Repercussions

The trade deadline has arrived, and we finally have some exciting deals to discuss! Everybody is looking for pitching – not at all surprising given the many injuries and sub-par performances on the mounds this season – but there weren't all that many starting pitchers available who were perceived to be difference makers, and several of those haven't moved (yet). That hasn't slowed down all of the contenders however; as many teams might shift their focus to hopefully bolster their bullpens. Interestingly, the first couple deals had something in common. Both involved the Tampa Bay Rays, a team deep in the playoff hunt, and here's something unusual, the key players involved, Nelson Cruz and Rich Hill, are both more than 40 years of age.

Please note, this column goes to the editor on Wednesday night to be posted Thursday. I have waited as late as possible since trade news can break with little or no warning at any time of the day or night, but it's virtually guaranteed more trades will have occurred before you read this. We'll certainly discuss those in the comments, and a complete recap of deadline deals will be the focus of next week's Musings. That said, let's see how changes in latitudes so far might impact the key arms involved: 

Rich Hill to New York (NL):

Just hours after acquiring Cruz, the Rays sent Hill to the Mets for, well, pretty much nothing. In return, they received 35-year-old journeyman reliever Tommy Hunter, who has been out with a back injury and may not pitch again this year, and minor league catcher Matthew Dyer who has been at Low-A, and isn't considered a significant prospect. In other words, Hill helps pay Cruz' salary. The veteran is pretty much a "what you see is what you get" guy at this point in his career, so he could be some help to the Mets as a five-inning starter, who need Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Carlos Carrasco to get healthy. Perhaps more notably from a fantasy perspective, Hill's departure could potentially hasten the arrival of Shane Baz in Tampa.

Tyler Anderson to Seattle:

I guess it shouldn't be too surprising that the deadline deals started off rather slowly. On Tuesday afternoon, Anderson was reportedly dealt from the Pirates to the Phillies for a couple prospects, but the deal fell through. Undaunted, a few hours later, Anderson was on his way to Seattle. The M's are seemingly sending mixed signals as we approach the trade deadline, having just dealt away their best relief pitcher. As for Anderson, he likely steps in as the Mariners fifth starter. He is actually a small upgrade there, but if he is an upgrade for your fantasy rotation, you aren't likely to be in the playoff hunt.

Jesus Luzardo to Oakland:

I'd have to say this is the first "big" deal of the trading season, and it's the best kind of trade, as I think both teams won. Miami lands a high-end pitching prospect, while the A's come away with a very productive veteran outfielder in Starling Marte who will help them in the field and at the plate. Luzardo has had some injuries that have slowed his progress, but he's still just 23 years old, and if he gets healthy, he has the tools to become a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Miami is a good landing spot for him. I wouldn't expect great things this year, but the future could be another story.

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

Andrew Chafin to Oakland:

Chafin was the first high-profile reliever to be dealt as the trading deadline approached. I used the reference "high-leverage reliever" because while he is unlikely to close with his new team, he should have a role similar to the job he had while with the Cubs where he accumulated 17 holds. The lefty has good stuff and can deal with hitters from both sides of the plate, which means the A's can call on him at just about any critical point in a game. Oakland is better than the Cubs so he could benefit slightly in fantasy terms.

Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero to Houston:

Things are getting more serious here. Graveman wasn't very good as a starter, but he figured to fit better in the bullpen, and he has. Now, the Astros have him available to bolster their bullpen. Actually it will be interesting to see what role he fills. Both he and Ryan Pressly profile better as set-up guys, but my guess is the versatile Graveman serves as a set-up, noncloser, which adversely impacts his fantasy value. The recently DFA'd Montero is an enigma. He is loaded with raw talent, but no one has been able to unlock it long term. Meanwhile, the Mariners added a very talented young third baseman in Abraham Toro, and the move likely means Paul Sewald and/or Drew Steckenrider should see a significant bump in fantasy value.  

Luis Cessa, Justin Wilson and Mychal Givens to Cincinnati:

With an injury riddled and glaringly ineffective bullpen, the Reds may be exercising a throw it against the wall and see if anything sticks approach. All of these guys are veterans, and Wilson has been consistently effective prior to this year, so perhaps they can bolster the pen's depth. None of the trio really profiles as a back-of-the-bullpen guy, but with a few uneventful innings, one (or more) of them could emerge as set-up options

Yimi Garcia to Houston: 

Similar to the Reds in some ways, the Astros have made moves to shore up what they clearly perceive to be a vulnerability – the bridge between their starting pitchers and their closer. Be aware though, there is a pretty big difference. The Reds have been collecting marginal bodies, and hoping someone pans out, while Houston is adding more proven arms. Garcia floated to the top of the Marlins undermanned pen and turned out to be their best option for the ninth inning. For fantasy managers, that's the bad news. His closing days are very likely over. No one really stands out as the next closer in Miami, but I expect Anthony Bender or maybe Dylan Floro to surface as the favored successor. Austin Pruitt comes to Miami in the deal, but he is unlikely to be fantasy-relevant.

John King to New York (AL):

The headliner here was, of course, Joey Gallo, but the Yankees also received southpaw reliever King. He has done a competent job for Texas, often pitching multiple innings, but he has limited stuff and is unlikely to be a fantasy factor. He'll probably fill a similr role in New York, helping eat up some innings as they push later into the season.

That's a recap of trades reported through late Wednesday night, but the deadline is still nearly two days away, and most of the bigger names mentioned in rumors are still with the teams with which they opened the season. There is plenty more to come!

Some Notable Rotation Ramblings:

• It was just a couple years ago that the Braves Touki Toussaint came into the season surrounded by hype and lofty expectations. I was one of those looking for very good things from him. He stumbled out of the gate and the hype died quickly. He's back, folks, and he looks better than ever. I like him (again).
• A major frustration has been the injury woes of Royals southpaw Danny Duffy. He reworked his mechanics and pitch sequencing with very encouraging results. But, those results have been spotty due to minor injuries. He's on the IL right now with a flexor strain, but the team does expect him back (again) in late August.
• In a major announcement, Stephen Strasburg is undergoing thoracic outlet surgery, ending his season. He has made just seven starts over the past two years, and while he "could" be back as soon as next spring, my experience with this procedure tells me a return to his former status is extremely questionable.
• Another pitcher is reminding us that some organizations are more likely to elevate a pitcher's performance. Cleveland's Cal Quantrill is gradually winning me over as he becomes more consistent with his command and pitch sequencing. He's not destined to be an ace, but he may be potentially useful.
• Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty has come out firing bullets in his rehab at Triple-A Memphis. In his first outing, he threw 21 of 31 pitches for strikes and did not allow a run over two innings. It's all about building up stamina now. Assuming no setbacks, it's realistic to expect a mid-August return to St.Louis.
• I remain intrigued with the Rays Chris Archer. They had him, they dealt him away, and then they reacquired him. They see something. He's on a rehab assignment, coming back from a forearm injury, and he has looked exceptionally sharp. He'll return soon, and I'm tempted to take a shot with him.

Endgame Odyssey:

Normally, Noah Syndergaard and Dinelson Lamet updates would be found in the starting pitcher commentary, but both have been mentioned as possible relievers for September. They simply don't have enough time to build up to a starter's workload this year. I expect them to be back in the rotation next year, and I would consider myself an enthusiastic buyer for 2022, but I already own them both in every league I'm in. I have to say, the hoopla regarding the presumed end of Kenley Jansen's reign as the closer in Los Angeles was probably a bit knee-jerk. All players, including closers, have an off day or two occasionally. He blew three saves – albeit one was a horrible play by the Dodgers second baseman, and an equally horrible call by an umpire on a checked swing – so it's hard to blame him for a save requiring five outs. He will eventually hand the job to someone else, but I think he's good for a little longer. Similarly, Aroldis Chapman went through an ugly stretch, but he has not been scored upon in six of his last seven outings. He's not as sharp as he was early in the season, but he appears to be righting the ship.