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Could Deadline Deals For Bullpen Arms Help Your Fantasy Team?

By Mike Marteny

Jun 13, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger (46) throws during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger (46) throws during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 1, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman speaks to reporters after the trade deadline prior to a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman speaks to reporters after the trade deadline prior to a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Could any of these trade deadline deals for bullpen arms help your fantasy team?

We all know the deals. The ones were some prospect that you haven’t heard of moves for a bullpen arm that you have only heard of because he has pitched against your favorite team once or twice. The ones that happen after all the big name closers are gobbled up.

By my count, there were five on Monday alone! These are the five deals that we are going to look at a little more in-depth to see if there is some fantasy value in there for you.

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I know that many of you play in non-standard leagues like I do. Most non-standard leagues count holds. Most of these guys can at least help with holds, but which ones can help your K and ERA totals? Who throws enough innings?

We will also take a look at the prospects heading the other direction. How many of them will be in the majors by the end of the year? Picking up these guys on August 31st could change your team down the stretch!

Let’s get started!

Next: Who In The Heck Is Pat Light?

Jul 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Fernando Abad (58) pitches to the Chicago White Sox in the tenth inning at Target Field. Abad takes the loss as the White Sox win 6-5 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Fernando Abad (58) pitches to the Chicago White Sox in the tenth inning at Target Field. Abad takes the loss as the White Sox win 6-5 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

The Red Sox pick up a much-needed left handed bullpen arm in Fernando Abad. They also activated Craig Kimbrel from the disabled list, which is a bigger addition than most teams got.

Abad was 1-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 39 appearances for the Twins. Abad had a good year with the Nationals in 2013, and a couple of solid seasons in Oakland before ending up in Minnesota, then Boston. Abad has 222 career strikeouts in 262 career innings. His 3.61 ERA is a little high for those of us chasing K’s in standard leagues, but his season numbers are good enough to use in leagues of 12 teams or more.

If your league has a start cap, and you are getting close to it, you need to maximize value elsewhere. Abad could be one of those places. If your league has an innings cap instead of a start cap, you can likely do better.

The Twins got 25 year old Pat Light in return. Light gave up eight runs in 2.2 major league innings earlier in the year. However, he did have a 2.32 ERA in 25 appearances for AAA Pawtucket. Light likely wont pitch in any high leverage situations anytime soon, so he wont have a fantasy impact this year.

Next: A Scott Feldman Sighting!

Aug 1, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Scott Feldman (46) pitches during the fourteenth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Scott Feldman (46) pitches during the fourteenth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Scott Feldman will help the Blue Jays for obvious reasons. They need someone to eat innings so they can save Aaron Sanchez for when they really need him. Feldman was 5-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 26 appearances (five starts) for Houston.

Feldman has never been a high strikeout guy, but he can be worth using in favorable spot start situations. For now, he will be used in long relief. So long as he is stuck there, he has no fantasy value.

In return, Houston gets a long-term project in Guadalupe Chavez. Chavez was 4-1 with a 1.69 ERA in rookie ball this year. He has compiled a 2.41 ERA in 19 minor league starts. He seems to be ready to take another step forward. It is too early to pounce on him just yet, but keep him on your radar in dynasty leagues. There could be something here.

Next: Toronto Adds Another Versatile Arm

Jul 31, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jesse Chavez (30) throws a pitch during the twelfth inning in a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. The Baltimore Orioles won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jesse Chavez (30) throws a pitch during the twelfth inning in a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. The Baltimore Orioles won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

This is a rare deal between two contenders. Even more rare is the fact that both of them were in the majors at the time of the deal.

Jesse Chavez was more effective as a starter for Oakland in 2013 and 2014 before moving back to the bullpen. He was 1-2 with a 4.57 ERA in 39 appearances for the Blue Jays this year. The Jays apparently wanted someone who operates more as a true starter. The Dodgers wanted an experienced pitcher.

Chavez has been averaging about a strikeout per inning this year. He is worth monitoring to see how the Dodgers use him. Pay attention to what situations he is brought in to, and how long he pitches in each appearance.

28 year old Mike Bolsinger has had limited success at the major league level. He had a 3.62 ERA in 21 starts for the Dodgers last year, but lost his rotation spot this spring. He is 1-4 with a 6.83 ERA in six starts with the Dodgers this year.

Bolsinger may do well with a change of scenery. Right now, he is insurance against an injury so they don’t have to move Sanchez back to the rotation in case of emergency. Considering Francisco Liriano is starting the day after Sanchez this weekend, it is possible that Bolsinger could take the spot of Sanchez.

If he does, Bolsinger is worth monitoring. He is worth using in the right matchup. It would be unusual for a player’s stats to improve going from the N.L. West to the A.L. East, but it could happen.

Next: Cubs Add Another Piece As They Chase Title

Jul 5, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Joe Smith (38) throws a pitch at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Joe Smith (38) throws a pitch at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Joe Smith was 1-4 with a 3.82 ERA in 38 appearances with the Angels. Statistically, this is the worst year of his 10 year career. Smith has a 2.94 career ERA, and does have some closing experience.

The bad news for Smith is that he joins a bullpen that is already deep at the back end. Hector Rondon will pitch the eighth and Aroldis Chapman will pitch the ninth. If you were using Smith for holds, there are going to be better options out there now. Especially when you factor in his pedestrian K/9 ratio.

This is a better trade for the real teams than it is for fantasy purposes. At least the Angels get an interesting prospect in 20 year old Jesus Castillo.

Castillo was 2-3 with a 3.27 ERA in seven starts for class A Eugene this year. If he does have a fantasy impact, it wont be for several years.

Next: Dodgers Add Another Piece

Oct 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Fields (35) throws against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning in game four of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Royals won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Fields (35) throws against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning in game four of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Royals won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Josh Fields had a 6.89 ERA in 15 major league appearances this year, but had a 1.65 ERA in 23 appearances with AAA Fresno. Fields was a valuable piece of the Houston bullpen last year, but has yet to pitch well at the major league level this year.

If Fields gets back on track, he is of great interest to you. He has 197 career strikeouts in only 159 innings. He can really help you if he isn’t blowing up your ERA.

In return, Houston lands 19 year old Yordan Alvarez. Alvarez is a Cuban import who, like most Cuban prospects, has a very high ceiling. Especially since he is one of the first that will get to organized baseball in America at this young of an age.

Alvarez is a complete wild card, so Houston has a chance to really win this trade. If they do, the full effects wont be known for several years.

Next: Can Jonathan Lucroy's Value Possibly Increase?

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