I wrote this article exactly one year ago and it was a great deal of fun. Taking a look at all the transactions that went down at last year’s deadline – big and small, but mostly small – one year removed I can patently say it was… well… interesting. In the end, it advised fantasy managers (based on the various trades and baseball’s shuffling rosters) to add Josh Bell, Davis Schneider, and Nick Pivetta all before they hit a late-season stride, which was great. On the other hand, I also have to acknowledge it endorsed Noah Syndergaard (DFA’d August 27th) and Spencer Howard (did not appear in the MLB post-deadline) as pitching options.
Ultimately though the point of the article was to stray away from the blockbuster trades (Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander at the time) and analyze the smaller ones; the type that too often go unnoticed, and the type that could secure enterprising skippers victory in cutthroat leagues. And with that in mind – as well as the knowledge this advice has to be taken with a grain of salt (see Syndergaard) – nothing has changed this year. Without further ado, the five transactions worth reactions in this crazy post-deadline world.
The Five Deadline Deals to Care About Most
Christopher Morel to Tampa Bay
The Cubs got talented Isaac Parades to assist them in their wild card push, so by no means did they lose this trade. But the Rays are scrappy and didn’t earn their reputation as one of baseball’s smartest clubs by accident. That means they don’t miss on a lot on their trades or transactions, and acquiring Christopher Morel from Chicago feels like it could be another slam dunk from the Rays’ front office.
Slashing a tough .199/.302/.373 with 18 HR and 7 SB over 362 AB before the deal, the trade made sense for the playoff-hopeful Cubs (mind you, the Rays have a considerably better record). But don’t forget Morel is just one year removed from a .247/.313/.508 campaign in 372 AB just last season. Additionally, circulating well around the league the last few days is Morel’s Savant page. Faith-inspiring to say the least, it suggests that the 25-year-old’s actual stats should be a lot better and that he has what it takes to be producing at a high level.
Now factor in the murmurs proposing that the Rays may move him into left field next season because of his dreadful defensive shortcomings at third base (partly why he was available along with RHPs Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson) – a potential scenario that would see Morel gain infield and outfield eligibility next year for those in dynasty leagues – and things really look up for the young slugger fantasy-wise. Tampa Bay has a track record for turning around down-on-their-luck players, and there’s so much to like about Morel. After all, would it be that out of character for the Rays if next season he became the next Randy Arozarena? And who knows, maybe it’ll start in August.
Christopher Morel with @RaysBaseball:
2 games, 2 homers 💪 pic.twitter.com/eJXNG6FLK5
— MLB (@MLB) July 31, 2024
Carson Kelly to Texas
At first, the Kelly trade appeared to be a somewhat bland move involving two undecided fringe buyers, but there was a lot more behind the lower-profile transaction. The Rangers got a solid catcher and all-around contributor in Carson Kelly (exceeding expectations with a .240/.325/.391 slash line at the time of the trade), and the Tigers were able to clear out a very valuable roster spot behind the plate – leading immediately to the call-up of 25-year-old catcher Dillon Dingler.
Their No.11 prospect, Dingler was slashing .308/.379/.559 with a whopping 17 HR over 263 AB in the minors and forced Detroit’s hand. A second-round pick in 2020, entering the season Dingler was relatively under-the-radar and still escapes the Top 100. However, production like that from the Big C won’t be available for long. Seemingly slotting in every day at catcher for the rest of this season and probably into the future, Dingler is a great add in dynasty and someone to consider if he starts hitting down the stretch. Alejandro Kirk and Joey Bart are probably* both better options right now in re-draft, but that could change quickly with a talent like his.
Mark Leiter Jr. to New York
For a moment, let’s ignore his slightly bloated 4.02 ERA and look at things pragmatically. In just 40.1 IP this season, Leiter Jr. has an impressive 58 K. Even better? Just 1 ER in his last 11.2 IP over July and August (4 IP with the Yankees). As a result, though he can be difficult to trust the RHP instantly puts himself into high leverage for the Yankees and thus greatly improves upon his own fantasy relevance. He isn’t in a closing role so there probably* isn’t anything to do as of now for most skippers, but on a Yankees team that has gotten a significantly greater amount of wins than the Cubs this season, it’s crucial to keep an eye out for Leiter Jr. Simple as that.
Note: The Carlos Estevez trade also deserves a spot on this list because it gives rookie sensation Ben Joyce a chance to close, but by this point it’s probably too late (as it always seems to be with closers).
The Toronto Prospect Haul
It’s surprising given their situation as a club, but the consensus around baseball seems to be that the Blue Jays – in the midst of a horribly disappointing season that began with serious October aspirations – had one of the best deadlines. They ended up keeping Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, trading away all but one non-rental player (Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, who is under contract through 2025). And in the end, they got very impressive returns for players not expected to command nearly as much as they did. Just take a look:
- Yusei Kikuchi to HOU –> Joey Loperfido (Graduated), Jake Bloss (TOR No.3), Will Wagner (TOR No.21)
- Justin Turner to SEA –> RJ Schreck (TOR No.29)
- Danny Jansen to BOS –> Cutter Coffey (TOR No.28), Eddinson Paulino (TOR No.20), Gilberto Bautista
- Yimi Garcia to SEA –> Jonatan Clase (TOR No.7)
- Isaiah Kiner-Falefa to PIT –> Charles McAdoo (TOR No.13)
- Trevor Richards to MIN –> Jay Harry
- Kevin Keirmaier to LAD –> Ryan Yarbrough
Wow indeed. Granted Toronto had a very depleted farm system prior to this deadline, but kudos to the Blue Jays. The crucial thing here is that a lot of prospects the Blue Jays received – including Clase (OF), Loperfido (OF, MLB), Bloss (RHP) and Wagner (3B) – are on the cusp of cracking the major league roster (Loperfido, Clase, and Bloss already have this season, respectively) and happen to be dominating the minor leagues with huge upside. If they can keep it up, all four of them could easily be seeing time in the show on a team that’s already thrown their towel in on the season. Fantasy managers should monitor the Blue Jays down the stretch for legitimate help as they promote their exciting young prospects. It’s hard to over-emphasize the success they’ve enjoyed in the minors.
Paul DeJong to Kansas City
Not to LA or Atlanta, but in fact it was Kansas City (the team with that shortstop hitting .344 with 20 HR and 25 SB…what was his name again?) that ended up acquiring SS Paul DeJong. Interesting. Acquired as depth behind Bobby Witt Jr. and to provide some thump to a lacking Kansas City lineup, it was a good deal for the Royals. But more importantly with DeJong out of the picture, the White Sox (much like Detroit a la Carson Kelly) are primed to give infield prospect Brooks Baldwin an everyday shot at the keystone.
No.22 in the White Sox farm system, indeed now that DeJong is out of the picture Baldwin has seen everyday time at his main position of shortstop. He hasn’t exactly raked (although he’s really picked it up post-deadline) since the July 19th transaction that brought him to the majors (.212/.255/.346, 1 HR, 2 SB) but it’s important to be patient. After all, Baldwin broke onto the scene out of nowhere because he managed an incredible .324/.391/.460, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 17 SB and 40 R line over 315 AB this season in the minors. Adding Baldwin right now is a tough call and depends on specific team needs – granted he and newly acquired Miguel Vargas are batting No.2 and No.1 in the Sox lineup should that make a difference – but monitoring the young infielder closely is a must knowing his immense potential in an everyday role.
BROOKS BALDWIN HAS HIS FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE HOME RUN 😎 pic.twitter.com/fhMoWxGxg9
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) August 4, 2024