by Will Overton
We are officially nine days away from the trade deadline and if the past years are any indication it could be an interesting nine days. Whether it will be interesting rumors and talks of trades or actual interesting trades happening remains to be seen.
Yesterday gave us a small taste of what’s to come with a couple of minor deals. No real big names swapped teams, but there might still be some hidden value on the move. Here’s a breakdown of yesterday’s two deals.
Houston Trades Brandon Lyon, J.A. Happ and David Carpenter to Toronto for Francisco Cordero, Ben Francisco, Joe Musgrove, Asher Wojciechowksi, David Rollins and Carlos Perez.
The guy with the most immediate fantasy value in this swap is likely J.A. Happ, but I don’t think a move to Toronto elevates his or lowers his value. It may provide a few more wins, but his control issues will continue to offset his upside if something doesn’t change. With his 8.0 plus K/9 potential Happ has the ability to make a splash in fantasy leagues, but he’s too inconsistent to own in anything but deep leagues. I don’t see that changing with a change of scenery, especially not going to the AL East.
Brandon Lyon has looked good this year, but Casey Jannsen hasn’t given the Jays any reason to make a change at the back end and at most Lyon will be the guy in waiting. As for David Carpenter many believe he has the tools to work his way into a closer role a few years from now, but he’s struggled a great deal this season so right now he doesn’t hold any fantasy value.
Ben Francisco could be a guy to watch in deep leagues, especially NL Only ones. Houston has two outfield spots being manned by underachieving youngsters and it shouldn’t take much for Francisco to overtake them. The last time he had regular playing time he put together a 15/15 season so there is a small amount of upside.
As of right now Francisco Cordero will be the setup man in Houston, but if Brett Myers were to get flipped, which this gives them the chance to do that, Cordero would be next in line. Something to watch for, but he’s been pretty awful thus far. One good thing is he is very familiar with the NL Central.
Houston got some intriguing prospects back in the move, though none are anywhere near close to MLB ready. Joe Musgrove in particular is one to watch in about three years though as a starting pitcher and Carlos Perez could be the Astros catcher in a few seasons.
Colorado Trades Jeremy Guthrie to Kansas City for Jonathan Sanchez
Think Kansas City regrets giving up Melky Cabrera for Jonathan Sanchez yet? They may have good talent evaluators in Kansas City, but they struggle with trade making. Both pitchers in this deal are in serious need of a change of scenery.
Guthrie has been awful in Colorado and for a guy who doesn’t strike people out he can’t be surrendering hits and HR’s at the rate he has been. I’d be in no rush to grab him just cause he’s in KC now. He’s a deep league spot start at best right now until further notice.
Jonathan Sanchez will always be an intriguing guy because of his strikeout potential, but he has no control and sports a career 1.43 WHIP with a 2.04 WHIP so far this season. There’s no guarantee he even joins the big league team right away, but if he does he has a lot to prove before you think about rostering him.
