One of my future July 4 destinations was to head out to Coney Island and watch the annual Nathans hot dog eating contest. Where else can you go to watch a person like Joey Chestnut consume more hot dogs in a few minutes (74 this year) than most have consumed in the last five years? Since competitive eating is sort of considered a sport, a fantasy league for this should not be too far behind. July is also the month where the future destinations of some players will be discussed ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline. So, we begin the countdown to see what deals are made and how it impacts our Fantasy teams.
Keep up with all the latest Fantasy Baseball happenings with Van Lee, Jeff Zimmerman and Rob Silver on the Launch Angle Podcast.
MLB News for July 9
Where will Mike Moustakas be after the trade deadline?
Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas reportedly has a number of suitors around baseball. According to some baseball sources, Phillies and Royals officials have had discussions about Moustakas and Royals scouts have been peeking in on prospects in the Phillies’ minor-league system in advance of a possible deal.
The Cardinals have also been linked to Moustakas in the recent past, including this past offseason when he was still on the market. Acquiring Moustakas, though, would create a pretty crowded corner infield situation, what with Matt Carpenter, Jose Martinez, and Jedd Gyorko already on the active roster.
Then the Yankees have recently shown interest, looking at him primarily for first base, which has been an underperforming position in the Bronx. The biggest issue trade deadline deals is for owners in AL- or NL-only leagues and having some of their better players traded to the other league. It’s definitely a situation worth monitoring this month.
Several teams interested in Manny Machado
Orioles shortstop Manny Machado is up for free agency once the 2018 season concludes. Given his elite status, it makes sense that the club would try to flip him at the trade deadline for whatever prospects they can get, rather than simply letting him walk away. Reports out of Baltimore indicate that the Orioles are considering seven different offers from the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Brewers, Braves, Indians, and Cubs, with a few other teams rumored to be interested as well. Machado, who turned 26 on Friday, is finishing a seven-season campaign with the Orioles. He entered Saturday’s game batting .310/.381/.560 with 21 home runs, seven stolen bases, and a .942 OPS through 375 plate appearances. Again, AL-only fantasy owners face a decision on whether to trade him or risk losing him if he is traded to the other league.
Happ gaining interest from contenders
The Cubs are the latest team in the mix for Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ, joining the Yankees, Brewers, and Mariners as other teams interested in adding the southpaw. Happ has been a stable presence in the Jays’ rotation over the last three seasons. He is 10-5 through his first 18 starts of 2018 and holds a 4.44 ERA through 105 1/3 innings.
The Dark Knight back to his old form?
The trade deadline is not the only thing Fantasy owners need to be paying attention to. Matt Harvey seems to have found a new life in Cincinnati. He has a 1.88 ERA over his past four starts and allowed three runs (two earned) in 5²/₃ innings in Saturday’s loss to the Cubs in which the Reds blew a big lead. The outing didn’t hurt Harvey’s possibility of being a trade target as the July 31 trade deadline approaches as a few contenders seem to have some interest, which would enhance his fantasy value even more.
Matt Harvey lost out on win but didn't damage trade prospects https://t.co/WMaMapFw9L pic.twitter.com/xU9r0fujkj
— New York Post (@nypost) July 8, 2018
Chapman sits on Sunday with a sore knee
Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman was forced out of Saturday’s game in Toronto after pitching to just one batter due to a sore left knee. The good news is that Chapman already was pain-free by Sunday and could have pitched in the Yankees’ series finale with the Jays. However, the Yankees went with David Robertson to close out their 10-inning win. Chapman’s situation should be monitored throughout the week.
Updates on the status of Aroldis Chapman and Aaron Hicks. pic.twitter.com/wOyaVXu9jv
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 8, 2018
Astros prospect called up
The Astros promoted top prospect Kyle Tucker for Saturday’s game against the White Sox. The 21-year-old outfield prospect was ranked No. 1 in the Astros’ system prior to the 2018 season and No. 8 among the league’s current prospect class. After decimating the competition in Single- and Double-A over the last three years, he was called up to Triple-A Fresno this year and hit .306/.371/.520 with 14 home runs, 14 stolen bases, and a .891 OPS through 371 plate appearances. Tucker went 1-for-4 with a bases-loaded walk and three strikeouts in his major league debut on Saturday. His speed and power make him a double threat at the plate and he would make a great addition to most Fantasy teams.
Welcome to the big leagues, Kyle Tucker https://t.co/Nc4I6WiZ55
— SportsRadio 610 (@SportsRadio610) July 8, 2018
Brewers Suter lands on DL
The Milwaukee Brewers placed left-hander Brent Suter on the 10-day disabled list with forearm tightness. He’s 8-5 with a 4.53 ERA in 18 appearances this season, including two in relief, and had gone 7-2 with a 3.60 ERA in a nine-outing stretch before allowing nine runs over his last two outings. Right-hander Aaron Wilkerson will get the starts during Suter’s absence.
Boston’s Vazquez, Brewers’ Braun also head to DL
Christian Vazquez went on the 10-day disabled list Sunday with a broken right pinkie he suffered sliding into second base Saturday night. The Red Sox catcher will be replaced by Sandy Leon. Ryan Braun went on the 10-day DL with a back strain. Braun was scratched from Saturday night’s lineup against the Atlanta Braves, but pinch hit in the ninth. However, the Brewers did activate Lorenzo Cain from the DL on Sunday.
Cubs prospect suspended
Pitcher Oscar De La Cruz of the Chicago Cubs organization has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Furosemide, a Diuretic and Masking Agent, in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. De La Cruz is currently with Double-A Tennessee and is considered one of the Cubs better prospects. He’s been struggling thus far this year, however, posting a 5.24 ERA in 16 starts.
Gleyber Torres heads to the DL
Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right hip strain. Torres is hitting .294/.350/.555 with 15 homers and 42 RBI over his first 63 major league games. Given that he won’t be available until July 14, there’s a good chance he’s done for the first half, even if the issue is a minor one. In his absence, the Yankees will likely play Neil Walker at second base.
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