While the MLB trade deadline is more than four weeks away, the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers swapped catcher Bengie Molina for reliever Chris Ray and a player to be named later on Thursday.
Although this deal may appear insignificant on the surface, it’s important to understand how this trade effects not only the fantasy values of the players involved, but others as well.
Molina’s move from San Francisco to Texas obviously boosts his value; not only because he’s now batting in a much more potent lineup, but because of the home ballpark factor as well.
While the eldest Molina brother has struggled this season (.257 batting average, three HRs, 17 RBI in 202 at-bats), his three-year averages (.278 batting average, 18 HRs, 85 RBI) suggest there may be something left in the soon-to-be 36-year-old’s tank...
The Phillies placed Chase Utley on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained ligament in his right thumb on Tuesday, making him the fourth player in recent weeks (Aramis Ramirez, Victor Martinez and Jason Heyward being the others) to be shelved due to a thumb injury.
It’s unclear how long the Phillies (and more importantly, your fantasy squad) will be without Utley’s services. Through 72 games this season, the 31-year-old was batting .277 with 49 runs, 11 homers, 37 RBI and five steals.
In his absence, Utley’s owners will be forced to ponder these waiver wire fliers as short-term replacements at second base...
After a forgetful May, Dustin Pedroia rewarded his faithful fantasy managers in June, batting .374 with four homers, 16 RBI and six steals in 23 games.
Just as it seemed Pedroia was on his way to a career year, the injury bug bit the Red Sox second basemen on the left foot. The injury won’t require surgery, but Pedroia is expected to miss six weeks. If the injury heals as expected, he should be back in the lineup around the second week in August.
With Pedroia on the shelf, fantasy managers will turn to the league waiver wire for viable replacements at second base...
Major League Baseball has seen 18 trades go down in the past week. While the contenders struggled to find the final missing piece, the cellar dwellers took on prospects with an eye towards the future.
So what does this have to do with fantasy baseball? Well, I’m glad you asked.
Did you know that Cliff Lee has a career 3.05 ERA against the National League? I’ll bet you didn’t...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
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