The 2025 MLB trade deadline has arrived, with contending teams deciding what they need to add before 6 p.m. ET this evening, Thursday, July 31. This is the place to find out the fantasy baseball implications as a result of the major wheeling and dealing.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have dealt away Eugenio Suarez. Now, do the Miami Marlins send Sandy Alcantara to a contender? How many current members of the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates will be wearing new uniforms come tomorrow?

Every season’s trade deadline has its own unique set of answers and repercussions. Eric Karabell and Tristan H. Cockcroft will analyze and provide an outlook for all of the key players on the move, as well as new opportunities that may arise from those left behind when all the dust has settled.

Note: Not every single transaction warrants the attention of fantasy managers, but for those trades that do merit analysis, you’ll find them listed below.

---

Carlos Correa traded from Twins to Astros

The Houston Astros offense has been plagued by injuries this season, from Yordan Alvarez‘s near-three-month absence due to a fractured right hand, to Jeremy Pena‘s rib fracture that has cost him the past month, to Isaac Paredes‘ recent hamstring injury that’s expected to cost him extended time. Pena, by all accounts, should be back in action this weekend. That’s what makes Correa’s acquisition so surprising.

Correa will shift to third base in his second tour with Houston, bringing extra position flexibility in fantasy leagues once he appears in 10 games there. He should move directly into the heart of the order for an Astros offense that ranks only 17th for the season in runs per game.

Correa, the No. 30 shortstop on the Player Rater and ranked 37th at the position in fantasy points, is no less risky on the injury front as a soon-to-be-31-year-old than he has been across the previous nine seasons — and more of a “name brand” than true value nowadays. The best that can be said for the move is that he’ll again have the Crawford Boxes to shoot for in left field, though park factors reveal that Minnesota’s Target Field was no worse a power environment for him.

Consider Correa to be what he has been to date: A 12-team mixed-league middle-infielder, which means that in our standard game, he’s best used as a daily streamer, feasting most on left-handed starting pitching. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Camilo Doval traded from Giants to Yankees

The New York Yankees continue to stockpile “2024 closer disappointments turned 2025 rebounds,” adding Doval to a deep mix of talented right-handers. Control has long been Doval’s weak spot, as it caused his second half of 2024 5.73 ERA, which ultimately cost him his closer role. While he did rein things in long enough to recapture the role in June, he does have a 5.32 ERA and a 15.0% walk rate in 21 appearances since June to reintroduce similar questions.

That’s sure to keep him a few steps from the closer role in the Bronx, likely slotting in behind Devin Williams, Luke Weaver and probably even newly acquired David Bednar — and that means a drop-off in fantasy value due to his trading in save chances for holds.

All-Star Randy Rodriguez should get the first crack at the closer job for the San Francisco Giants, and his elite control and filthy slider give him a chance at a top-10 valuation if he’s indeed the full-time guy. He should be added immediately in fantasy leagues, although it’s worth mentioning that Ryan Walker, the team’s Opening Day closer, does have a 3.03 ERA in 31 games since losing the role in May. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Dustin May traded from Dodgers to Red Sox

May, 27, was recently demoted from the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation to a long relief role, He is not having a strong season, but at least he has been healthy after missing the 2024 campaign having his elbow repaired. May finally surpassed 100 MLB innings. Few expected him to post a 4.85 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP along the way, though. His home numbers were fine, but a 7.09 road ERA is scary. Pitching in Fenway Park — that is, well, the road for him — half the time may be a problem. The Boston Red Sox need rotation help, though. Fantasy managers can do better. — Karabell (7/31)

---

Charlie Morton traded from Orioles to Tigers

Morton, 41, has misleading numbers this season. He went 0-6 with a 9.45 ERA in April, quickly losing the trust from fantasy managers who relied on him for more than a decade, then he lost his rotation spot. With few options, the Orioles gave him another chance in late May and Morton has gone 7-1 with a 3.88 ERA since then, with more strikeouts than innings. The result was a trade to a contender. Morton has ugly overall numbers, but now that he is on a contender, it may be time to rely on him again. — Karabell (7/31)

---

Bailey Falter traded from Pirates to Royals

Falter, 28, doesn’t possess elite stuff, but it had gotten tough for fantasy managers to ignore a 3.73 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP this season. Falter is not much of a strikeout pitcher, so his fantasy value is muted in that respect, but still he is among the top-65 starting pitchers in ESPN fantasy scoring this season. Falter didn’t achieve this success because he was pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, so moving on to the Kansas City Royals certainly shouldn’t hurt him. Falter is not the most exciting fantasy option, nor is there great upside, but he’s having a good season and probably should be rostered in more than 5% of ESPN leagues. — Karabell (7/31)

---

Taj Bradley traded from Rays to Twins for Griffin Jax

Bradley, 24, continued to underachieve based on his strikeout stuff this season, ultimately earning himself a trip back to Triple-A. Perhaps a change of scenery will help him. Bradley has a career 4.70 ERA over 67 starts and 354 innings, but also a solid strikeout rate that keeps fantasy managers interested. Will moving on to the Minnesota Twins solve the issues with control and home runs? Perhaps. Take a chance on him in deeper formats. This remains an arm with a future.

Jax, 30, stood next in line for saves with Jhoan Duran dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies. He is likely to handle a setup role with the Tampa Bay Rays, with RHP Pete Fairbanks sticking around. Jax has a bloated 4.50 ERA, but don’t read too much into that. He is among the leaders in holds with 21, and he is seventh among all qualified relief pitchers with a 36.4% strikeout rate. Expect Jax to continue piling on the holds and whiffs with the Rays. Cole Sands may be closing games for the Twins. — Karabell (7/31)

---

Nestor Cortes traded from Brewers to Padres

The San Diego Padres added further starting pitching depth, having traded two of their recent starters (Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek) and a host of prospects earlier in the day, by getting Cortes from the Milwaukee Brewers. “Nasty Nestor” is recovering from a left elbow flexor strain, but is ready to return after making a pair of solid rehabilitation starts for Triple-A Nashville. He was, however, the No. 19 starting pitcher in 2022 and No. 44 in 2024, illustrating the potential he can have when healthy.

Getting out of Milwaukee’s American Family Field, which granted hasn’t played quite as hitter-friendly in recent years as it had in the past, and into San Diego’s Petco Park will be good for him, and at the very least he should have streaming fantasy appeal with a chance at a top-50 rest-of-season positional valuation. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Phil Maton traded from Cardinals to Rangers

Fantasy managers who were hoping that Maton might take over as the St. Louis Cardinals closer were crushed when he was traded to the Texas Rangers, where he’ll most likely serve in a similar primary setup role. Maton was just outside the top 50 among pure relievers (meaning you don’t include any full-time starters with RP eligibility) in fantasy points, which seems about right. As for the Cardinals, this indeed makes it likely that JoJo Romero will lead a possible committee — if it’s not his job alone — including Riley O’Brien, Matt Svanson and/or Kyle Leahy. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Jose Caballero traded from Rays to Yankees

It’s not often that the MLB leader in stolen bases gets traded, but such was the case for Caballero, who essentially changed dugouts mid-game following Thursday’s rain delay (though by rule, he couldn’t be immediately activated). He’s the categorical leader despite making only 66 starts, and just as he was for the Tampa Bay Rays, he probably won’t be an everyday player for the New York Yankees.

There’s an outside chance that Caballero could threaten shortstop Anthony Volpe ‘s starting job, considering Volpe’s inability to reach his statistical ceiling and defensive struggles of late. Volpe’s fantasy managers should have concern about his playing time over the coming weeks. The upshot here is that Caballero will likely play less frequently for his new team, hurting his value and frustrating his rotisserie managers, but it shouldn’t be a significant amount. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Mike Yastrzemski traded from Giants to Royals

The Kansas City Royals have had by far the least productive outfield in baseball this season (.262 combined wOBA) and recently lost promising-but-disappointing rookie Jac Caglianone to the injured list, so the addition of Yastrzemski gives them a reliable, even if unextraordinary, upgrade. “Yaz” has one of the keenest eyes at the plate, his chase rate placing in at least the 80th percentile in every one of the past six seasons, and his 23.1% K rate this season represents a career best. Expect him to play regularly for the Royals the rest of the way, with relevancy in points leagues slightly larger than ESPN’s standard (think: five outfielders) and deeper. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Merrill Kelly traded from Diamondbacks to Rangers

Kelly is having an excellent season, his third such in the past four — the lone exception being 2024, when he missed nearly four months due to a shoulder injury. He’s currently ranked 21st among starting pitchers with his 285 fantasy points, and he has done so despite calling one of the better hitting environments, Chase Field, his home.

The move to Texas’ Globe Life Field should enhance his prospects of maintaining a true ERA well below what the metrics expect — his has been at least two-thirds of a run better than his Statcast expected ERA in each of the past three seasons and he has had a lower ERA than xERA in all seven of his MLB seasons — and he’s sure to maintain a regular spot for the duration for a Texas Rangers team that was in sore need of help in the rotation.

Kelly is one of the more underrated fantasy pitchers, illustrated by his near-20% availability in ESPN leagues, and he’s a plenty handy one to have as a third/fourth/fifth starter on your staff, even if his ceiling isn’t much higher. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Willi Castro traded from Twins to Cubs

Castro, 28, is helpful in fantasy because he is eligible at three infield positions (all but 1B) and the outfield. That utility comes in handy in deeper formats. It would be more helpful if Castro was a bigger statistical contributor. He stole 33 bases in 2023. He scored 89 runs in 2024. This season, Castro boasts a .742 OPS, just above league average and consistent with prior seasons, but with only 10 home runs, nine stolen bases, 48 runs and 32 walks (and only 27 RBI, somehow!). He is outside the top-150 hitters in ESPN fantasy points.

The Chicago Cubs don’t appear to have any room for Castro as a regular, unless they push rookie Matt Shaw aside at 3B, but Shaw boasts a 1.119 OPS since the All-Star break, with four home runs and three steals in 12 games. Castro has a .488 OPS since the break. Shaw has 1.5 WAR this season, Castro 0.5. Still, Castro, a switch-hitter doing his best work this year versus left-handed pitching, can fill in for regulars and amass some fantasy value that way, in theory. — Karabell (7/31)

---

Ryan O’Hearn and Ramon Laureano traded from Orioles to Padres

The San Diego Padres, behind aggressive general manager A.J. Preller, plugged yet another of their roster holes, acquiring the left-handed hitter they desired while also landing a quality fourth outfielder/platoon mate for left fielder Gavin Sheets in Laureano.

The American League’s starting DH in the All-Star Game, O’Hearn had a sensational first half of the season (through 54 Baltimore Orioles games) sporting a .340/.428/.558 hitting line, but he has regressed sharply since with .226/.320/.368 rates over his last 49 games. O’Hearn’s true value is probably near the midpoint of those numbers. He’ll likely slot in as a good platoon-mate for someone like Jose Iglesias (with Jake Cronenworth shifting to first base on those Iglesias days).

The move from Baltimore’s Camden Yards, one of the best hitting environments for a lefty, to San Diego’s Petco Park, represents a steep decline for O’Hearn, but he should remain a capable corner infielder for fantasy leagues that use them, and a solid streamer against righties in our standard game.

Laureano has been sensational across the past two-plus months, batting .328/.393/.557 with 10 home runs over his last 51 games, backed by the best contact-quality numbers he has ever registered in the majors. By all rights he should keep getting regular at-bats for so long as that lasts, as he’s actually ranked higher among outfielders on the Player Rater (41st) than O’Hearn (50th). However, chances are that the Padres will “pick and choose his spots” and therefore relegate him to similar streaming status in fantasy. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Jesus Sanchez traded from Marlins to Astros

The Houston Astros desperately needed a lefty-hitting bat in their lineup, and they get a league-average option in Sanchez, the No. 60 scorer among outfield-eligibles in ESPN standard leagues. Sanchez isn’t great, but he hits right-handed pitching well, he can run a little (25 stolen bases since the start of 2024). All of his numbers should improve leaving Miami’s pitcher-friendly ballpark for Houston.

Sanchez should handle left field for the Astros, perhaps in a platoon (since he has a dreadful .393 OPS against left-handed pitching), and Jose Altuve figures to move back to second base full-time. Journeyman Taylor Trammell has been leading off against right-handers. Sanchez may inherit that spot, which would help his numbers. Sanchez may be at least a top-50 fantasy outfielder over the season’s final two months.

As for the Miami Marlins, there isn’t much to watch in their outfield other than All-Star Kyle Stowers. Perhaps it is time to give prospect Victor Mesa Jr. a long look. The Marlins received RHP Ryan Gusto for Sanchez. He probably goes into their rotation, and the change in home ballparks is quite stark, but this is not someone to covet in fantasy. — Karabell (7/31)

---

Cedric Mullins traded from Orioles to Mets

Mullins, a fantasy star back in 2021 when he hit .291 with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, has not come particularly close to those numbers since then. This year, he is hitting .229 with 15 home runs and 14 steals and is sitting on a .305 OBP for a third consecutive season. He ranks just 49th among outfield-eligible players in scoring for ESPN standard leagues. He has been better in July, hitting .290/.346/.522 with three home runs and six steals. Perhaps moving to the contending New York Mets will keep the better stats flowing.

Mullins, 30, is an upgrade for the Mets, whose center fielders are hitting a combined .218 with a .301 OBP this season, but this trade should not alter his statistical trajectory much for 2025. A left-handed hitter these days (he used to switch hit), Mullins is hitting just .204/.272/.417 against right-handed pitching. He figures to hit no higher than sixth or seventh in the lineup. Expect 2B/OF Jeff McNeil, miscast in center field, to move around the diamond, or perhaps he will push 3B/2B Brett Baty aside at second base.

The Orioles may play Colton Cowser regularly in center field and perhaps give Heston Kjerstad another chance at regular playing time. He has been struggling at Triple-A Norfolk. — Karabell (7/31)

---

David Bednar traded from Pirates to Yankees

It’s been a rough trade deadline for fantasy managers of closers, as four of the top 26 pure relief pitchers in terms of fantasy points scored have now been traded, and another three of those 26 hail from bullpens that have since added another team’s closer, meaning a lot of competition for saves due to the consolidation.

However, unlike with the Detroit Tigers (Will Vest ranks 12th!), New York Mets and San Diego Padres, Bednar’s arrival in pinstripes is unlikely to result in any closer controversy. Devin Williams (for all his struggles) still appears to be entrenched as the New York Yankees finisher, and Luke Weaver has been successful enough in the role during the 2024 postseason (and earlier this year, as well as in setup duty) for the duo to maintain the one-two pecking order in the bullpen.

Bednar, 25th on the aforementioned list, is having an exceptional season, reminiscent of his best years in 2021-22. Though the move from Pittsburgh’s PNC Park to Yankee Stadium represents a threat to his ERA/WHIP, he’s riding a career-best 33.1% K rate and should slide in as one of the top hold-getters in his new role. Unfortunately, that role brings with it a big drop-off in fantasy value, particularly in rotisserie leagues that don’t given any reward for holds.

The Pittsburgh Pirates still seem likely to trade Dennis Santana, a successful fill-in during Bednar’s brief April stint in the minors, so they might soon be looking at a 2026 closer audition between pitchers like Braxton Ashcraft and Isaac Mattson. Mattson might be more deserving, but Ashcraft has the more appealing ceiling. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Eugenio Suarez traded from Diamondbacks to Mariners

Seattle gets Suarez for a package including 1B prospect Tyler Locklear. The Mariners reunite with Suarez, their starting third baseman from 2022-23, and improve a position they’ve struggled mightily to fill; their third basemen since Suarez left have a collective .290 wOBA for 2024-25, ranking 21st. The move deepens their lineup, which is a positive for strong-performing, heart-of-the-order hitters Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena, even if the upshot is only a handful more runs and RBIs and a slightly better chance of turning over the lineup more quickly.

For Suarez, however, the move from Arizona’s Chase Field to Seattle’s T-Mobile Park represents a noticeable downgrade. Statcast’s three-year park factors place T-Mobile dead last (and by a substantial margin) in run scoring and 22nd in home runs (24th for righties alone). While Chase Field was also a below-average home run environment, it did rank third in runs.

The 2025 Mariners rank 27th in wOBA at home (.296), and during Suarez’s time in Seattle in 2022-23, he had a wOBA only 11 points higher at home, but a BABIP 19 points lower than on the road. His production is going to take a hit, perhaps thwarting a run at his career high in home runs (49 in 2019). Still, there’s every reason to believe he can still be a top-10 third baseman the rest of the way (though his odds are greater in rotisserie scoring).

One streaming strategy note: The Mariners already sport one of baseball’s most strikeout-prone offenses. Their 23.0% rate ranking 24th, and Suarez’s addition pushes them further in that direction. Tuck that away as you consider opposing starters.

Locklear, the centerpiece of the Diamondbacks’ return, had just been recalled by the Mariners. We’ll see whether he gets a similar, immediate chance with his new team. He’d be a better choice at first base than Tristin English and his three-true-outcomes approach at the plate would warrant deep-mixed and NL-only attention if he indeed sticks in the majors. Suarez’s departure also improves the chances that Jordan Lawlar, the Diamondbacks’ top prospect currently sidelined with a hamstring injury at Triple-A Reno, will get a chance to play regularly for them once he’s healed. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Harrison Bader traded from Twins to Phillies

Bader is not among the top-75 scorers for outfielders in ESPN points leagues, and this trade to the Philadelphia Phillies may not alter that. The defensive-minded Bader is more valuable in roto/categories formats, as he has already reached double digits in home runs and stolen bases, the fourth time he has achieved this. Give Bader credit for his best walk rate since 2020, and he may reach a career high in plate appearances, too.

The Phillies needed a center fielder who could both hit and field well, and Bader is a clear upgrade on Johan Rojas and his .569 OPS, as well as platoon left fielder Max Kepler and his .654 OPS. However, Bader will be hitting in the bottom of the Philly lineup. Assume Brandon Marsh slides over to left field, perhaps in a platoon. Bader’s addition may cost Kepler his job and also means we aren’t likely to see a Justin Crawford promotion in 2025.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins have an opening in center field, and perhaps speedy DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and his .378 OPS (not OBP, OPS) over 95 big-league PA gets a chance to fill it. Prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez is on the injured list at Triple-A. — Karabell (7/31)

---

Kyle Finnegan traded from Nationals to Tigers

Finnegan is one of 13 pitchers with 20 or more saves, tied with new San Diego Padres RHP Mason Miller, but the comparisons surely end there. Finnegan, 33, has a bloated 4.38 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP, with the lowest strikeout rate of his career. His career ERA is 3.66 with a 1.31 WHIP. He mattered in fantasy roto leagues because the lowly Washington Nationals kept giving him save chances, and that’s about it.

The Detroit Tigers should know better than to present Finnegan the ninth inning, so RHP Will Vest should be safe for saves. Finnegan should be among numerous right-handers vying for the top setup role, though. The Tigers keep adding ordinary bullpen depth you may have heard of (Paul Sewald, Luke Jackson, Rafael Montero), but not necessarily reliable leverage options. Feel free to move on from Finnegan, rostered in 28.8% of ESPN leagues.

The Nationals may look to LHP Jose Ferrer for saves, though he isn’t exactly preventing runs (4.78 ERA) or missing many bats (20.1% K rate), either. — Karabell (7/31)

---

Mason Miller and JP Sears traded from Athletics to Padres

In an out-of-left-field move that immediately spawned speculation that another trade will be forthcoming, the San Diego Padres added to their already best-in-baseball bullpen (2.93 relief ERA) by acquiring Miller, the hardest-throwing and among the most promising young closers in baseball. It sets up a grand debate about the Padres’ ninth inning strategy, as they already have the majors’ top save-getter in Robert Suarez (30) and have now added one of the top long-term positional bets — one with four more years of team control.

Someone loses out significantly in fantasy terms here, either Suarez or Miller or perhaps both, if one is selected ahead of the other to close, or if they’re used in a co-closership. Additionally, if this leads to a Suarez trade, as has been immediately speculated, then he could either pose a threat to his new team’s closer or be demoted to setup relief there as well. As mentioned with the Ryan Helsley trade, holds carry less reward (2 points) than do saves (5) in ESPN standard leagues, and holds are typically less plentiful than saves.

Suarez and Miller have both had their moments this season, such as Suarez saving 21 of the Padres’ first 64 games with a 1.84 ERA, or Miller posting a 1.74 ERA and 32.9% strikeout rate over his last 20 appearances, but each has also had his share of hideous outings. On a contending Padres team, Miller could be an easy top-five, universally rostered fantasy relief pitcher, perhaps even a contender for the No. 1 spot. Suarez, who isn’t quite the strikeout artist that Miller is, ranks fourth among true relievers in fantasy points.

Sears, meanwhile, has been one of the most overlooked “good, but not great” starting pitchers in the game over the past three seasons. Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park was a miserable environment for an extreme fly-baller like him (an MLB-leading 39.3% rate), and San Diego’s Petco Park will do wonders to improve his streaming appeal in fantasy. Like other starters traded thus far (Paddack, Soroka), he has leapt a good notch or two on the streamers ranking list.

Back in Sacramento, shortstop Leo De Vries is a heck of a get for the Athletics. He’s a top-shelf prospect who, in two years or so, could be ready to begin a stellar MLB career. Dynasty managers will like that his future will no longer involve Petco Park, though we’ll see how the team’s new venue in Las Vegas eventually plays.

As for the identity of the team’s new closer, expect a committee from which anyone could emerge: Elvis Alvarado, Michael Kelly, Sean Newcomb, Jack Perkins and Justin Sterner might all see chances. Perkins, one of the team’s top prospects, is the most intriguing for fantasy purposes, although the Athletics probably won’t win often and, therefore, will have limited save chances. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Shane Bieber traded from Guardians to Blue Jays

It’s rare for a pitcher still on the mend from Tommy John surgery to get moved at the deadline, but Bieber, who last threw a big-league pitch in April 2024, is nearly ready for duty. Bieber fanned seven hitters over four effective innings for Double-A Akron on Tuesday, and he may need only one or two more rehab outings. Once activated, the Toronto Blue Jays may have Bieber on a pitch count, but there is statistical upside, too. LHP Eric Lauer could move to a swingman role.

Bieber, 30, posted a 3.22 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over parts of seven seasons for the Cleveland Guardians, earning the 2020 AL Cy Young and other Cy Young votes in 2019 and 2022. A fastball/slider pitcher mostly, with an effective changeup and knuckle curve, Bieber has never walked more than 40 hitters in a season. Perhaps it is too optimistic to presume he will return to being a top-20 fantasy starting pitcher over the final six weeks of this season, but it seems wise to add him. Bieber is currently just 18.8% rostered. Go get him. — Karabell (7/31)

---

Zack Littell traded from Rays to Reds

One of the most surprising performers of 2025, Littell’s 234 fantasy points to date rank 32nd among full-season starting pitchers (i.e. exclude Shohei Ohtani from the group). That’s a placement more shocking if you consider he has done it despite sporting the majors’ sixth-lowest strikeout rate (16.6%) among ERA qualifiers as well as calling Tampa’s George M. Steinbrenner Field his home. Littell deserves plenty of credit for the improvements he has made to his control over the past three seasons, as he ranks second in walk rate (3.9%), ninth in zone rate and 14th in first pitch strike rate among that same qualified group.

That said, Littell ranks only 46th among those 64 qualifiers in flyball rate and Statcast has his expected ERA sitting more than one run higher than his actual number, so we’re all patiently waiting for regression to strike. But here’s the wild part: With George M. Steinbrenner Field grading as such a hitter-friendly environment, Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park actually represents an upgrade for him as far as park factor goes, even if it’s only by a hair. Littell remains a streaming option more than an every-start candidate, so keep avoiding him against more loaded, HR-heavy offenses. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Michael Soroka traded from Nationals to Cubs

His has had an under-the-radar solid comeback campaign, as Statcast reflects that he should have a 3.32 ERA, rather than the 4.87 he actually possesses. Among pitchers leaning in that wrong direction who have faced at least as many as the 343 batters that he has, only Trevor Williams and Ben Brown have a wider divide in that department. That’s something the Cubs surely saw while scouting prospective starter acquisitions.

Soroka should be a mainstay for the Cubs for so long as he can stay healthy — he averaged 58 professional innings from 2021-24 — and he’ll surely benefit from the huge upgrades in terms of run support (the Cubs lead the majors in runs per game, while the Washington Nationals rank 19th) and bullpen support (the Cubs rank 13th in relief ERA to the Nationals’ dead last). There’s sneaky-good streaming potential here as a result of the trade. — Cockcroft (7/31)

---

Jhoan Duran traded from Twins to Phillies

Duran, one of the hardest throwers in the sport and a top-10 closer from fantasy draft day, should step right into the closer role for the desperate Philadelphia Phillies. Manager Rob Thomson often prefers a committee arrangement, but not here. LHP Matt Strahm and RHP Orion Kerkering will handle setup duties. LHP Jose Alvarado and RHP David Robertson will soon join them.

Duran has struggled a bit the past few weeks, and his strikeout rate is down from prior seasons, but give him important games to save and all should be well. This may be a top-five closer the rest of the season, and NL-only managers should get him. As for the Minnesota Twins, RHP Griffin Jax has had a leverage role all season and — a rough Wednesday outing notwithstanding — should be next in line, but rumors of him being moved in a trade are out there. Add RHP Louis Varland in case he gets a chance. He’s having the better season. — Karabell (7/30)

---

Ryan Helsley traded from Cardinals to Mets

Hours after strengthening their bullpen with the acquisition of dominating submarining right-hander Tyler Rogers, the New York Mets further fortified their relief corps by trading for one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in baseball in Helsley. Both are likely to slide into setup roles behind closer Edwin Diaz, meaning that Helsley, formerly the St. Louis Cardinals‘ closer, is this year’s example of the pitcher whose fantasy value in most formats dries up overnight.

Helsley hasn’t performed as well this season as last — his ERA up by nearly a full run (including a 0.80 Statcast expected ERA increase) — but he has pitched well lately, He has a 0.82 ERA and eight saves across his past 11 appearances and continues to get elite grades with his slider. Yes, as a setup man, he’ll still garner two-point holds in ESPN leagues, making the move less catastrophic than in it’ll be traditional rotisserie formats, but it’s still bad news universally, being that saves are worth five points and holds-getters tend to see lower totals in the category. Helsley can still carry value in our standard game and perhaps even vulture a save, but he had 81 fewer fantasy points as a closer than did Diaz, the No. 2 scoring reliever.

Back in St. Louis, Phil Maton would be the obvious replacement for Helsley, except he’s a trade candidate himself. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol could go with a committee of JoJo Romero, Riley O’Brien and perhaps Kyle Leahy, if Maton also goes. Romero is the one fantasy managers should add, being that he has a 0.36 ERA, 28.4% strikeout rate and 15 holds in his past 29 outings, not to mention that he enjoyed moderate, albeit brief, success in the role in 2023. — Cockcroft (7/30)

---

Seranthony Dominguez traded from Orioles to Blue Jays

It has been quite a week for the Baltimore bullpen, which first lost closer Felix Bautista to a shoulder injury, and has now seen both Gregory Soto and Dominguez, two logical fill-ins for Bautista, traded elsewhere. In Toronto, Dominguez will return to his former setup role, from which his 127 fantasy points are tied for 69th among relievers.

The Orioles, however, will need to find another ninth inning fill-in for Bautista, who will miss at least a couple more weeks, from among a group of relievers that hasn’t seen any other active individual score more than 88 points. Andrew Kittredge, the team’s most effective reliever in July (2.19 ERA, 3 holds), and Yennier Cano, who has a 2.98 ERA the past three years but hasn’t previously stepped up when granted the chance to close, are the most likely options. — Cockcroft (7/29)

---

Chris Paddack traded from Twins to Tigers

My, how much things can change in a year. At this time last season, the Detroit Tigers traded away right-handed starter Jack Flaherty while in “seller” mode, only to make a Cinderella run to the playoffs thereafter. This year, they’re clear contenders, and in fact the favorites to represent the American League in the World Series, and they’ve now acquired a solid, even if not Flaherty-caliber, right-handed starter in Paddack.

Before you scoff at Paddack’s 4.95 ERA or his outside-the-top-100 starters fantasy point total, appreciate the potential benefits of his move 600-ish miles southeast. First, the Tigers call a much more pitching-friendly environment their home than do the Minnesota Twins, as Statcast rates Comerica Park 19th for run scoring and 18th for home runs, compared to sixth and 11th for Target Field, which could prove plenty relevant for a fly ball-oriented pitcher who tends to do his best work at home (0.45 career home/road ERA differential; 1.06 this year). Second, the Tigers have more of their tougher pitching matchups in the books already than have the Twins, with only 12 remaining games against top-eight teams in runs per game to the Twins’ 25.

Paddack’s prospects as a streaming fantasy option have therefore improved as a result of the trade, even if only slightly, though he remains the same durability concern, with his 111 innings this year already his most since 2019. — Cockcroft (7/28)

---

Ryan McMahon traded from Rockies to Yankees

McMahon, 30, certainly is not having his best season, even as he may surpass his career high of 24 home runs. Perhaps joining a pennant race will invigorate him statistically. McMahon boasts four career playoff plate appearances, none since 2018. The obvious angle here for fantasy purposes is that any Colorado Rockies hitter leaving the friendly, altitudinous confines of Denver’s Coors Field is likely to see a drop in production. McMahon boasts an .856 OPS in home games this season and a mere .589 mark on the road. For his career, the splits are not quite as lopsided (.818 vs. .664).

Still, McMahon should play regularly at third base for the New York Yankees, perhaps losing some plate appearances versus left-handed hitting (if only he could platoon with 1B Paul Goldschmidt!), and likely hitting sixth or seventh in the lineup. McMahon should see ample RBI opportunities and, for a lefty pull hitter, there is the attraction of Yankee Stadium’s short right field. This isn’t the worst destination for McMahon, but his value (even in a down season) surely slips. Get him in AL-only formats, but don’t expect top-10 (top-20?) 3B numbers, either.

The Rockies acquire a few pitching prospects fantasy managers can ignore — really, we can ignore most every Rockies pitcher — and there is a vacancy at third base to likely be filled by a boring (at least statistically), right-handed hitting veteran with little power such as Orlando Arcia and Kyle Farmer. Meh. This is not a baseball team trying to win baseball games this season. Except for NL-only formats, we can ignore any of McMahon’s replacements. — Karabell (7/25)

---

Josh Naylor traded from Diamondbacks to Mariners

This is a good move for the Seattle Mariners, as their offense lacks first-base production, though fantasy managers may not enjoy the repercussions. Naylor hit .324 with an .855 OPS in home games at Arizona’s Chase Field, but Seattle’s T-Mobile Park is arguably the toughest place to hit these days. Naylor is the No. 28 hitter in ESPN points formats, and a top-five first baseman in both roto/categories and points leagues, boasting the best plate discipline (9.4% walk rate) and contact rate (86%) of his career. He has already reached a career-best 11 stolen bases, too.

Naylor should blend in nicely and lengthen Seattle’s strikeout-heavy lineup, perhaps earning the No. 5 spot behind C Cal Raleigh and OF Randy Arozarena, with SS J.P. Crawford and OF Julio Rodriguez entrenched in the first two spots. There will be myriad RBI opportunities. Naylor, with only 11 home runs after launching 31 blasts for last season’s Cleveland Guardians, is a different hitter this season, and this move probably won’t help for power, but he remains a valuable player.

The Arizona Diamondbacks received two minor league pitchers in the deal, neither of whom warrant fantasy attention. Other players may be on the move before next week’s trade deadline. For now, career minor leaguer Tristin English may see regular playing time at first base. English, 28, hit .340 with 11 home runs at Triple-A Reno. The Diamondbacks could platoon him with established veteran 1B Pavin Smith (currently on the IL with a strained oblique), who hits right-handed pitching. — Karabell (7/25)