Fantasy baseball waiver wire: Impact of Manny Machado, Brad Hand trades
Well now THAT'S more like it! Two major interleague trades have only scratched the surface of what could end up being complete chaos leading up to the July 31 deadline.
How do those players fit into their new situations? Here's what it all means to fantasy owners.
Double check: Last week's recommendations, including Lou Trivino, Steven Duggar
Suggested bid values based on $100 FAAB (free agent acquisition budget). Feel free to exceed the recommendation if league dynamics or team needs warrant. Stats through Thursday.
PRINCIPALS
SS/3B Manny Machado, Los Angeles Dodgers
(NL: $99)
There will be no greater impact performer coming over to the National League, so fantasy owners in NL-only formats should throw all their resources at a dual-eligible All-Star who's having a career year.
Machado hit .315 with 24 homers and 65 RBI with Baltimore, and while the change in home parks is a bit of a downgrade ... this is 26-year-old Manny Flippin' Machado we're talking about. He can carry you to a title.
RP Kirby Yates, San Diego Padres
(NL: $20; Mixed: $25)
Following the Padres' trade of closer Brad Hand to the Cleveland Indians, Yates is perhaps the biggest winner of the week from a fantasy standpoint. The previously undistinguished right-hander, 31, is now the odds-on favorite to take over the ninth inning in San Diego -- and why not? He has a 1.43 ERA and an 11.5 K/9 rate in 37 2/3 innings as a setup man. Don't go overboard though; there's a chance he could be traded as well.
The reason Yates is more valuable in a mixed league: NL-only owners need to balance their immediate needs with the likelihood someone even more valuable could arrive from the NL over the next two weeks.
RP Brad Hand, Cleveland Indians
(AL: $8)
Despite his recent struggles (8.00 ERA, 3 blown saves in nine appearances since June 13), Hand remains an elite talent.
However, he may only get a handful of save opportunities going forward because he'll serve mostly as a setup man for closer Cody Allen. Instead of saves, look for holds from Hand. He's a great insurance policy for Allen owners and he should return to form soon, but AL-only owners shouldn't pay a fistful of FAAB dollars for him.
NEW: RP Robert Gsellman, New York Mets
(NL: $8, Mixed: $7)
Gsellman picked up a two-inning save on Friday with soon-to-be-traded closer Jeurys Familia sitting idly in the bullpen. He'll get more chances going forward now that Familia has moved on. However, his ratios (4.15 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 8.3 K/9) are nothing special.
NEW: RP Jeurys Familia, Oakland A's
(AL: $6)
Familia is no longer one of the elite closers, which is why the A's had to give up only fringe prospects to acquire him from the New York Mets. (That, and it's the Mets we're talking about here.) He's not supplanting All-Star Blake Treinen as the closer, but could get some vulture wins and an occasional save chance down the stretch.
PROSPECTS
DH Francisco Mejia, San Diego Padres
Mejia, 22, started the season very slowly at Class AAA Columbus. Perhaps it was due to the Indians looking to find a position for him other than catcher, where they have no room for him in the majors. Things didn't work out at third base or the outfield, so Mejia became expendable -- even as his bat started warming up.
Since June 1, he's hit .383/413/.582 with four homers and 28 RBI in 36 games. The Padres will give him a shot at catcher, which will boost his value in keeper leagues.
OF Yusniel Diaz, Baltimore Orioles
The 21-year-old Cuban is the headliner Baltimore received in the package for Machado. He hit two home runs in the All-Star Futures Game, but has been more of a contact hitter so far in the minors. With more walks than strikeouts, he could help improve one of the Orioles' biggest weaknesses. Look for him to return to Class AA, with the possibility of a promotion before the season is over. He should have a chance to win a roster spot with the Orioles next spring.
Trade impact: A closer look at the 5 players traded for Machado
OTHER PICKUPS
OF Willie Calhoun, Texas Rangers
(AL: $10, Mixed: $6)
The Rangers' consensus No. 2 prospect, Calhoun was promoted Friday from Class AAA Round Rock (Texas). The 23-year-old was acquired last year in the Yu Darvish trade and saw action in 11 games with the Rangers, hitting a respectable .265 with a homer and four RBI in 34 at-bats. Like Mejia, Calhoun started this season slowly, but he's been red-hot lately. He recently had an 18-game hitting streak, during which he put up a .425/.481/.589 slash line. For the season, he's sporting a .306 average with eight homers, 42 RBI and four steals. Calhoun doesn't have a home defensively so that could limit his playing time in the majors.
NEW: OF Brian Goodwin, Kansas City Royals
(AL: $9; Mixed: $4)
The Nationals have a logjam in the outfield, and that's even before top prospect Victor Robles gets healthy and enters the picture once again. The Royals certainly can use a 27-year-old outfielder with some power and speed. He hit .251/.313/.498 with 13 homers and six steals in 278 plate appearances for the Nats last year. Goodwin instantly becomes Kansas City's best option in center field.
Follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner