Jul 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) warms up prior to a game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The trade deadline is just a couple of days away, but there have already been some big moves. Closers have new teams and two veteran pitchers join two young teams on the rise. Here are the fantasy implications to those trades involving starting and relief pitchers.
There were a few more trades involving other pitchers, but I believe these are the most relevant ones.
Tyler Clippard to the New York Mets
In what seemed like a ho-hum move, Clippard joining the Mets could help their bullpen troubles. Jeurys Familia is the current closer, but his recent outings could spell trouble to that. He has 27 saves already, but has blown his last two opportunities. With Jenrry Mejia suspended for a second time, the Mets needed another relief pitcher.
Clippard had a 2.79 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with the Oakland Athletics this season. He also recorded 17 saves for the A’s. If Familia continues to struggle, Mets management may pull the plug and have Clippard pitch the ninth innings.
This is also important for the A’s. Former St. Louis Cardinals closer Edward Mujica is now Oakland’s closer. He recorded 37 saves with a 2.78 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with the Cards in 2013. He is still a serviceable closer, and with few options on the waiver wire, he could be your last shot at some saves.
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Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals
Cueto moving has been a rumor for the longest time. If the Royals want to get back to the World Series, they needed to make a trade like this. Zack Grienke is long gone. James Shields is no longer with the team. Yordano Ventura is struggling. The Royals needed a true ace to lead this team back to the playoffs.
Cueto’s move to the American League hurts his value a bit. He no longer gets to pitch against terrible pitchers. He will now face some of the best hitters in the American League. He has a 2.68 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in Interleague play. He is 0-2 with a 2.08 ERA and 1.39 WHIP at Kauffman Stadium.
If you play in an AL-only league, I would do whatever it takes to add Cueto to your roster. It’s not very often that a pitcher of this quality lands on the waiver wire.
Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros
This was the first big trade of the summer. The Astros gave the A’s a couple of prospects in order to land the resurging Kazmir. Now, they have a pitcher who could start Game 1 or 2 of a playoff series.
Kazmir joins young pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh. With his veteran presence, the Astros can make a big impact on their way to a playoff berth.
Kazmir switching teams within the division should maintain his fantasy value. He knows the teams in the division very well, and pitches well in the American League. His ownership percentage should rise based on his performance for the rest of the season.
Steve Cishek to the St. Louis Cardinals
A.J. Ramos does not have to worry about job security any more. Ramos replaced Cishek as the closer early in the season and has never looked back. The Cardinals added depth in their bullpen. He joins Kevin Siegrist and Seth Maness as set-up men for Trevor Rosenthal.
Before his 2015 struggles, Cishek was one of the game’s best closers. He tallied 91 saves with a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP from 2011 to 2014. If Rosenthal gets injured or cannot be a reliable closer anymore, the Cardinals will have no problem relying on Cishek, Siegrist and Maness for saves to finish out the season.
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The Cardinals have made this kind of trade before, and it has worked out in the past. As for Cishek, he has very little fantasy value in standard leagues. Only add him for holds or as a handcuff to Rosenthal.
Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals
Say goodbye to your closer job, Drew Storen.
We all knew the Philadelphia Phillies would try to trade Papelbon. We did not know he would go to a team with an above-average closer. Since joining the Nationals in 2010, Storen has 95 saves. He is No. 23 among all active closers.
However, he is bumped for the No. 3 closer on that list. Papelbon was an excellent closer for the Boston Red Sox, recording 219 saves. When the Phillies signed him, he got paid. Then, the Phillies started to fall apart. They needed to unload some of that money, and they did.
Papelbon will give up some of that money in exchange for a guarantee for the 2016 season and a closer job. This makes Storen pretty much useless in standard leagues. Papelbon will bring his 1.59 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 17 saves this season to the Nation’s capital.
He pitches on a team with a better offense, which should give him plenty of save opportunities. He should have no problem reach 30 saves again this season.