Reacting to More MLB Trades from Fantasy Baseball Perspective: Erick Fedde, Jorge Soler, Lane Thomas, Justin Turner, Yusei Kikuchi and More

Several more MLB trades took place on Monday, July 29, and instead of waiting until the actual trade deadline passes, it makes sense to offer some fantasy baseball thoughts on the deals that went through on Monday.

I have done two similar stories already (early trades, weekend trades), and will do one last trade reaction article on Wednesday that recaps the deals that happened on Tuesday.

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Cardinals Nab Erick Fedde in Three-Team Trade

The biggest move on Monday was the St. Louis Cardinals trading for Chicago White Sox’s Fedde. It was a three-team deal that also included the Dodgers.

The Cardinals also got Tommy Pham in the deal. The Dodgers got Michael Kopech from the White Sox, Tommy Edman from the Cardinals and a prospect. The White Sox got two prospects, a player to be named later or cash and then Miguel Vargas. Let’s look at the fantasy outlooks for the major league players in the deal, starting with Fedde.

In 21 starts with the Sox this season, Fedde was 7-4 with a 3.11 earned run average. He has 108 strikeouts over 121 2/3 innings pitched. 

Fedde will be pitching in a bit tougher park, but being on a much better team now, his fantasy value increases. The White Sox were one of the worst-fielding teams in the league, while the Cardinals are one of the best, so that also works heavily in Fedde’s favor.

Pham played in 70 games with Chicago this season, posting a .266 average and .330 on-base percentage along the way. He had 14 doubles, five home runs and one triple among his 72 total hits, along with 29 RBIs, 33 runs scored, six stolen bases, 25 walks and 63 strikeouts.

Pham might actually see his playing time decrease now that he’s on a better team. He could fill the short side of a platoon with Michael Siani. 

Fedde should be rostered in all fantasy leagues after the trade, while Pham remains an option in deeper leagues.

Kopech is likely to serve a non-closing role, but he’s worth mentioning because the Dodgers’ closer job is up for grabs right now. Kopech was 2-8 with a 4.74 ERA across 43 appearances and 43 2/3 innings this season. He had nine saves and 59 strikeouts along the way.

Kopech is worth keeping an eye on in case he gets a couple saves and eventually becomes the full-time closer.

Edman hasn’t played this season yet, but has been making rehab starts, so he’s closing in on returning to the big leagues. He’s rostered in just 30% of leagues and could see that number skyrocket if he can fill a starting role for the Dodgers. 

That makes Edman another player to keep a close eye on over the next couple weeks. He’d be an option first in deeper leagues, but could be usable in standard formats in short order.

Vargas is not a big-time fantasy player, but should retain a starting role the rest of the season in Chicago, so this trade does wonders for his fantasy value.

In 30 MLB games this season, Vargas had a .239 average and .313 OBP. He also had four doubles and three homers among his 17 total hits, along with nine RBIs, 11 runs, a stolen base, eight walks and 16 strikeouts.

He’s rostered in just 4% of leagues and immediately could be a waiver wire option for deep league fantasy owners given he should have a starting role the rest of the regular season. I doubt Vargas becomes anything more than a deep league option, but at least add him to your watch list.

Jorge Soler Traded to Braves

Soler was dealt from the San Francisco Giants to the Atlanta Braves. Soler has been trending upward of late and was rewarded by being sent to a better contender. 

He has a .240 average and .330 OBP this season, with 23 doubles, a triple and 12 home runs among his 82 total knocks. Soler also has 40 RBIs, 57 runs scored, one stolen base, 44 walks and 97 strikeouts this season.

The Braves have underperformed this season with the bats, but Soler gives the lineup a nice little boost. Soler should hit in a fruitful spot in the order, so his fantasy value goes up a touch from his old team. He’s also in a more hitter-friendly park now, so that is another positive for him.

He’s up to 65% rostered after his recent hot streak, and should go up several more percent before the end of the week.

Dodgers Pick Up Amed Rosario

The Dodgers made another move for a bat on Monday, landing Rosario from the Tampa Bay Rays. This move won’t make a lot of headlines, but I really liked the move.

Rosario had a .307 average and .331 OBP with the Rays across 76 games this season. He had 17 doubles, three triples and two home runs among his 81 total knocks, along with 26 RBIs, 22 runs scored, nine stolen bases, seven walks and 48 strikeouts.

He can play all over the field and should draw regular starts against lefties. Rosario’s fantasy value definitely gets a boost, but he’s still probably only going to be a fantasy asset in deeper leagues. He’s worth watching in case he continues to rake and starts every single day.

Guardians Acquire Lane Thomas

This was another low-key sort of deal that I really liked. The Cleveland Guardians added to their outfield by trading for Washington Nationals’ Thomas.

In 77 games with the Nats, Thomas had a .253 average and .331 OBP. He had 16 doubles, eight homers and three triples among his 76 total knocks. Thomas also has 40 RBIs, 42 runs scored, 28 stolen bases, 32 walks and 72 strikeouts on the season.

Thomas might be sandwiched between Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez in the order, which is a major fantasy upgrade for Thomas. He might not steal as many bases now, but he should make up for that with more runs and RBIs.

Thomas is currently rostered in 89% of leagues, and should be at 100% after the trade. 

Mariners Add Justin Turner

The Seattle Mariners landed Turner from the Toronto Blue Jays. 

In 90 games with the Blue Jays this season, Turner had a .257 average and .351 OBP. He had 17 doubles, six homers, 77 total hits, 31 RBIs, 37 runs scored, 39 walks and 60 strikeouts.

He should slot into the heart of the Seattle lineup, and on a much better offense now, should see his fantasy value rise. He’s rostered in 45% of leagues and could become a standard league startable player before long if he excels with his new team.

Yusei Kikuchi Heads to Houston

The Blue Jays made another deal, sending Kikuchi to the Houston Astros.

Kikuchi has allowed 16 runs over his past three starts, but was still one of the better starting pitchers available at the deadline. He was 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA in 22 starts this season. He had 130 strikeouts in 115 2/3 innings.

Both parks are pretty similar, but with a better offense behind him now, I’d expect Kikuchi’s fantasy value to bump up a touch. His new defense is also a lot better now, so that will work in Kikuchi’s favor.

Kikuchi has been a streaming option for a while now and will continue to be one (albeit with a little more fantasy value) until he proves he can shut down opposing offenses.