Can Todd Frazier Find His Stroke In Yankee Stadium?
By Mike Marteny
Yankees Beef Up Offense and Bullpen With Todd Frazier and David Robertson
The Yankees proved that they are serious about getting back to the playoff this year by adding veterans Todd Frazier and David Robertson from the White Sox. The full transaction is as follows:
Frazier is mired in one of the worst seasons of his career, but is he really? He still has 16 home runs in 280 at bats. That would project to roughly 34 if he comes to the plate 600 times. His .207 average leaves a lot to be desired, but he only hit .225 last year. Frazier is here to hit for power. Whatever the case, you can expect more from Frazier. He is going home!
Frazier should see a slight uptick in power numbers. Yankee Stadium isn’t much more of a hitter’s park for righties than Guaranteed Rate Field is. However, Frazier may just be rejuvenated by being traded to his favorite childhood team. If Frazier is available in your league, I would go get him. Chances are that everything will pick up a little in Yankee Stadium, even the average. If you are targeting him in a trade, just keep in mind that his power numbers likely will not take a huge jump, and he isn’t going to steal any more bases than the four he stole in Chicago. He would be nice to have, but don’t give up too much to find out.
The loser here is Chase Headley. Headley likely wasn’t owned but in deep leagues anyway, but his playing time is going to take a pretty big hit. He can safely be dropped in any format.
The winner is uber-prospect Yoan Moncada. The White Sox called him up and inked him in the starting lineup at third base. Moncada has nothing left to prove at AAA, and he could be a real shot in the arm to the Sox and fantasy teams alike. Moncada was hitting .282 with 12 homers and 17 steals for AAA Charlotte this year. He can help in power and speed, and should be owned in far more than the 32.6% that he currently is. If he is available in your league, especially larger leagues, go pick him up!
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Robertson was the closer in Chicago, but he will be a setup man along with Dellin Betances here in New York. In fact, Robertson may settle into the seventh inning role since the back of the Yankee bullpen is almost like Fort Knox anyway. If you own Robertson in a league that doesn’t count holds, he can safely be dropped. There are better ratios out there if you are deploying middle relief for help in ERA/WHIP.
The big winner here is likely going to be Tyler Clippard. Clippard has served as as closer in three previous stops, but was mostly a seventh inning guy for the Yankees. Given his experience, the White Sox will likely give Clippard the nod on the South Side for now. Those desperate for saves can pick up Clippard, just be aware that his ERA may not go down from his current 4.95 mark.
The piece that surprised me most about this deal was the inclusion of Tommy Kahnle. Many, myself included, had sprung for Kahnle in anticipation of him taking over the closer role when Robertson was moved. Now Kahnle becomes just another piece in a ridiculously loaded bullpen. He can help in leagues that count holds, but even in those leagues, his value will likely take a hit.
Ian Clarkin wont make an impact in the majors for a while yet. He is 4-5 with a 2.62 ERA in 14 starts in High A ball this year. It could be a couple of years before you see him in the majors.
Tito Polo is hitting .382 for AA Trenton in 14 games there, and seems to be on a fast track right now. He tore up A ball before his promotion, and could find himself in AAA before the season ends. There is a chance that he could be in the majors next year because of his speed. Polo has 22 steals this year!
The major piece in this deal for the Sox is 2016 first round pick Blake Rutherford. Rutherford is hitting .281 in A ball with two homers and nine steals. He likely wont be called up anytime soon, but he has a much clearer path to the majors now than he did in New York. Those in dynasty leagues may want to keep an eye out.
Next: How Will J.D. Martinez Do In Arizona?
Stay tuned for fantasy analysis of all of the other deadline deals, along with DFS picks for MLB and the PGA tour. We even have some fantasy football stuff for you since football never really has an off season!