Dodgers acquire Yu Darvish: Fantasy Impact
The Los Angeles Dodgers waited for the last minute of the Trade Deadline to acquire Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish. Darvish heads to a rotation that already had the leagues best ERA.
Dodgers are 74-31 sitting 1st place in the NL West, leading the division by 14.0 games. Meanwhile, the Rangers are 50-54, 4th place in the AL West, and trailing the Houston Astros by 18.0 games. The Rangers disappointing season led them to deal their ace Yu Darvish for three prospects.
For the season, Darvish has had an underwhelming season with 6-9 record, 4.01 ERA and 1.188 WHIP. He is posting 7.6 H/9, 1.3 HR/9, 3.0 BB/9, 9.7 SO/9 ,and 3.98 FIP. He has a career high in ERA, FIP, BB/9 and HR/9, he also has a career low SO/9.
Going to Dodger Stadium should help him, it is a pitcher friendly park. Dodgers pitchers at home are 47-13 2.83 ERA and 1.051 WHIP. They are posting 7.6 H/9, 1.0 HR/9, 2.8 BB/9 and 9.3 SO/9 at home. Darvish fantasy owners should be happy with his move to the Dodgers as he should see his numbers improve for the rest of the season.
The big get in the deal for the Rangers is power-hitting 2B Willie Calhoun who was ranked 4th in the Dodgers system. For the season Calhoun is slashing .297/.357/.574 with 23 HR and 67 RBI in Triple-A. Also, he has .276 ISO, 8.7 walk rate and 11.8 strikeout rate.
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He is currently blocked by 2B Rougned Odor who has had a disappointing season this year. He could potentially see some time in the majors if Odor continues to struggle and their DH Mike Napoli is struggling, too.
Calhoun could be brought up next season to be their DH, while Mike Napoli is on a 1-year contract. He has had a great season in Triple-A thus far and is inching closer to making his MLB debut. Dynasty owners should be pleased with Calhoun’s trade with Rangers. He should be a dangerous hitter in a hitter-friendly park once in the MLB.
A.J. Alexy is the 2nd best prospect in this deal, he was the 17th best prospect in the Dodgers system. Alexy is a 19-year-old RHP in Single A. His ETA is 2020. This season in Single A, Alexy has 73.2 IP, a 2-6 record, 3.67 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 3.49 FIP. He is posting 10.5 K/9 4.52 BB/9 0.37 HR/9 and 6.2 H/9.
Alexy has solid upside being only 19 years old and having a solid season in Single A. Dynasty league owners should keep an eye out on Alexy who could quickly rise in the Rangers system as he maintains his success in the minors.
Brendon Davis is the last prospect in the deal, the Dodgers 27th best prospect. He is a 20-year-old utility fielder that plays 2B/3B/SS in High A. Davis has split time in Single A and High A, which he has had a sub-par season.
In Single A, Davis slashed .245/.357/.403 with 8 HR and 35 RBI. He had 12.9 BB%, 29.2 K% ,and .158 ISO. He has struggled in High A slashing .200/.273/.400 with 1 HR and 8 RBI. Davis seems like depth guy in the minors with a small chance to play in the majors.
Next: Red Sox add Addison Reed to bullpen
The big winners are Darvish and Calhoun. Both should benefit from going to a team that fits their strengths. Alexy could be the sleeper here as he rises through the Rangers system.