Fantasy GM is just an article that suggests actual trades that could be made in the MLB that would benefit all parties and increase fantasy value for multiple players. The trades themselves not only make sense for both parties, but I would like to think that they could possibly occur in the future. If they do occur, they would likely put multiple players in more favorable situations, making it a win-win situation for teams, players, and fantasy owners. Still don’t get it? Well, just check it out. It doesn’t really have much purpose in terms of strategy, but if these trades (or similar ones) occur down the road and have a significant fantasy impact on your team, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Trade #1: Astros Trade RP Brad Lidge to Red Sox for SP Jon Lester & prospects
The Astros’ patience with Lidge has been growing thin after posting career-worsts in ERA, WHIP, Hits Allowed, HRs Allowed last season and struggling all season long to maintain consistency and record saves. Lidge still has phenomenal stuff, but his confidence has been shaky and he has been hittable. The Astros have themselves a solid,cheap bullpen and a closer waiting in the wings in Dan Wheeler. Shipping Lidge to Red Sox allows the Astros to propel Wheeler into the closer role, while the Red Sox get a major upgrade at closer themselves, for the small price of mid-level lefty prospect Jon Lester, for whom there is no room in the rotation. Lidge also gets a much needed change of scenery and will likely get more save opportunities after the swap. Lester gives the Red Sox an intriguing young arm to solidfy the back of the rotation and an upgrade to Wandy Rodriguez. The Red Sox rotation is left untouched, but they get a significant upgrade at closer, while the Astros see little dropoff at closer and improve their rotation. Everyone wins here, except maybe Joel Pineiro.
Trade #2: Rockies trade 1B Todd Helton to Angels for SP Kelvim Escobar & OF Juan Rivera
With the emergence of young power hitters including Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, Brad Hawpe, and others, the Rockies now have the depth to finally deal the greatest hitter in the organization’s history. With Helton’s continuing injury issues, declining defensive skills, and reduction in power, he looks best suited for a move to power-heavy AL lineup that gives him the ability to split time between 1B and DH. The Rockies then are able to move Garrett Atkins to first (where he’s better suited) and allow either third base prospect, Ian Stewart or Jeff Baker to take over at the hot corner. The Angels, meanwhile, get themselves a huge upgrade at first base and give Vlad some much needed protection in the lineup. The Angels give up their 4th outfielder, Juan Rivera, who is out of place with the signing of Gary Matthews Jr., and Kelvim Escobar, who can easily be replaced in the rotation by a healthy Bartolo Colon. Both Rivera and Escobar give the Rockies upgrades in CF and in the rotation while giving opportunities to their top prospects. Again, everyone wins here, except maybe Willy Taveras.
Trade #3: Padres trade RP Scott Linebrink to Diamondbacks for LF Eric Byrnes & RP Jorge Julio
Linebrink has been the heir-apparent to Trevor Hoffman for years, but after Hoffman posted a 2.14 ERA and 46 saves last season, it doesn’t look as if he’s going anywhere soon. Combine this with the fact that the Padres went out and acquired minor league closer Royce Ring and may have uncovered a gem in middle reliever Cla Meredith (1.07 ERA in ‘06), and Linebrink may become expendable for the Padres. The Diamondbacks who intend to be a contender this season are relying on inconsistent Jose Valverde in the ninth inning and could use an upgrade if they want to make a run at the division. Valverde has wicked stuff and could still develop into a closer, but he still needs some work and in the meantime, would make for a stout 8th inning man. The Diamondbacks are loaded with OF prospects, so while shipping Byrnes may be difficult, they can absorb the loss. Jorge Julio would just be a casualty with an added arm for the D’Backs, and give the Padres another potential future closer. Byrnes would be a great fit in spacious Petco Park with his doubles power, his great range and ability to cover plenty of field. He and Mike Cameron would make it very difficult in the outfield for hitters and give the Padres some much needed pop, meanwhile the D’Backs get to give some opportunities to deserving prospects and get a potential top 15 closer and allow them to shift Valverde to being a setup man, where he’s best suited.
Trade #4: Phillies trade SP Jon Lieber to Indians for 3B/OF Casey Blake
The Phillies are looking to whatever they can to ship Lieber, who currently doesn’t have a spot in the rotation. The Indians looked to have their five men penciled in on their rotation, but with Cliff Lee now slated to start the season on the DL, there is an opening for a veteran innings-eating arm until he is ready to return. Casey Blake is a suitable platooner for all four corner positions and with the Phillies tentatively starting Shane Victorino, Wes Helms, and Pat Burrell in three of those spots, Blake would make for a great utility player, who would be sure to get plenty of at-bats and could step up into a starting role if needed. The trade gives the Indians another solid arm in the back of the rotation while Lee recovers and allows prospect Ryan Garko to take over at first base, after clearly showing he is major league ready with a solid 2006 campaign.
Trade #5: Marlins trade SP Dontrelle Willis to Mets for OF Lastings Milledge, SP Oliver Perez, & RP Duaner Sanchez
I was always opposed to the Marlins trading Willis for more prospects when they already were the youngest team in baseball with the lowest payroll and one of the deepest farm systems, but this is just too good for both teams to pass up on. The Marlins have four young arms all with rotation quality and still have prospects like Yusmerio Petit, who could develop into an elite starter. Willis looks to be in need of a change of scenery and the Marlins have the depth in the rotation to part ways. The Mets rotation, on the other hand, is very much in transition, with a slew of aging veteran arms past their prime and young prospects not quite ready for the big leagues. Willis gives them an ace during his peak years and makes the rotation infinitely better. The Mets give up top prospect Lastings Milledge, but he’s fell out of favor with the veterans, and with outfield prospects Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez on the way, the loss will be absorbed. It also allows Endy Chavez to thrive as the 4th outfielder. The Mets also part ways with Oliver Perez, who has no spot on the staff but could find a niche for the Marlins, and top reliever Duaner Sanchez, who has had some run-ins with the organization and after missing the postseason after a questionable injury, he looks to be on the outs with the Mets. The Marlins who are desperately seeking a closer would be a perfect fit for the setup man extraordinaire Sanchez. The Marlins’ current favorite to start in CF is Alex Sanchez, so there’s no need to emphasize the impact Milledge would have, as well. Interdivisional trades are often shunned upon, but this deal would be perfectly address both teams’ biggest weaknesses at the right price.
Posted by James 