AJ Mass, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Fantasy 30: Players most affected by the trade deadline

Fantasy, Fantasy MLB, MLB

Even when you're a fan of one specific major league baseball team, it can be difficult to keep track of all of the news that surrounds your favorite club on a daily basis.

However, when you're a fantasy baseball owner and you now have to multiply that effort by 30 in order to be as up to date as possible with each and every club? It's a fool's errand that borders on the impossible.

Fear not! We'll be here each and every Monday to give you a snapshot of what's going on in the world of baseball, with one fantasy takeaway from each of the league's 30 teams. Think of it as your one-stop shop for the week ahead.

Here are the takeaways for this week, as the non-waiver trade deadline is sure to play havoc with rosters right up until the 4:00 p.m. point of no return:

Arizona Diamondbacks: Jake Barrett has been primarily a setup man for the Diamondbacks this season, posting a 2.79 ERA and a solid 9.1 K/9 rate. However, now that Arizona has traded away both Brad Ziegler and Tyler Clippard, the time has come for the 24-year-old rookie right-hander to take over as closer. As manager Chip Hale puts it, "I think of the guys this season, the young kids especially, he's the one kid who has sort of earned it, earned that chance."

Atlanta Braves: A trade with the Padres has netted Matt Kemp in return, and the plan (for now at least) is to have Kemp play left field. Braves GM John Coppolella explains, "We think this guy can hit right behind Freddie Freeman, can give us some power that we sorely lack, and that he'll be a really good help ... as we try to get back to being a playoff-caliber team." Kemp is expected to be in uniform on Tuesday and should bat cleanup, barring any further deadline deals.

Baltimore Orioles: Engaged in a three-team fight to win their division, the O's have acquired Wade Miley from the Mariners. Miley becomes the team's only left-handed starter, something that might come in handy, given the staff's .281 BAA versus left-handed bats, compared to just .243 against righty hitters. Miley has a .239 BAA facing left-handers in 2016 and has experience pitching in AL East parks.

Boston Red Sox: Blake Swihart is still not close to a return to the Red Sox. The converted catcher has been out with an ankle injury since early June, but as manager John Farrell puts it, "I can't say he's out of the woods yet." Chris Young (hamstring), on the other hand, is traveling with the team right now and is looking good for a return to action next week.

Chicago Cubs: Obviously the biggest news of the past week for the Cubs was the acquisition of closer Aroldis Chapman. Manager Joe Maddon said he doesn't believe any more wheeling and dealing will be necessary, as his club has built-in reinforcements on the way in the form of rehabbing outfielder Jorge Soler (hamstring) and reliever Trevor Cahill (knee), both of whom are close to a return. "There's nothing going on as far as I know -- crickets," Maddon said Sunday.

Chicago White Sox: Amid rumors that Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and David Robertson might all be on the block, the White Sox got some good news in the form of the return of Carlos Rodon to their rotation. Rodon had been out since July 5 with a sprained wrist but was able to take the mound on Sunday against the Twins. A shaky first inning saw Rodon giving up three runs on four hits, but the left-hander was able to hang in there and complete 6⅓ innings on 99 pitches, 68 for strikes.

Cincinnati Reds: With sources saying Jay Bruce has been moved to the Mets on Monday, Zack Cozart might also be headed out the door -- potentially to Seattle. If that deal comes to pass, it would open up the door for the Reds to play 22-year-old Jose Peraza on a regular basis at shortstop, rather than shuffling him around both the infield and outfield in a quest for at-bats. Peraza has 10 steals this season in just 93 plate appearances.

Cleveland Indians: Cleveland was able to swing a deal with the Yankees for reliever Andrew Miller on Sunday, further bolstering the back end of the Indians' bullpen. The question as to whether it's Miller or Cody Allen who ends up as the closer going forward might be moot. Manager Terry Francona won't make any official declarations -- "We have guys at the end of the game that are a little bit interchangeable. We're going to have a chance to leverage guys and, believe me, we will."

Colorado Rockies: After winning nine of their past 11 games to pull back into wild-card contention, the Rockies appear as if they're not going to be "sellers" after all. Of course things could change quickly if Colorado doesn't perform well on their upcoming homestand against three playoff-caliber teams: the Dodgers, Marlins and Rangers. But for now, it appears Charlie Blackmon, Carlos Gonzalez and Boone Logan will all be staying in Denver.

Detroit Tigers: J.D. Martinez has been rehabbing with Triple-A Toledo, and might be ready for the final hurdle before his coming back to Detroit: playing right field. Martinez has been limited to DH duties because his elbow has still been bothering him when he throws. However, he is expected to play right early this week, with an eye on returning to the Tigers by the end of their current homestand.

Houston Astros: Yulieski Gurriel has had his visa approved and made his debut for the Gulf Coast League Astros on Saturday. Gurriel led off as the team's DH and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. It should be a few weeks before the Cuban national is ready to face big league pitching, but at least the ball is now rolling toward his eventual arrival in Houston.

Kansas City Royals: Closer Wade Davis returns to the disabled list for the second time this season after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 flexor strain in his right forearm. Manager Ned Yost did offer that "the elbow looked fine" in Sunday's MRI, and the current hope is that Davis can return as early as Aug. 12. In the meantime, Kelvin Herrera, who hasn't allowed an earned run since July 6, will handle ninth-inning duties.

Los Angeles Angels: Huston Street entered the ninth inning on Sunday with a 3-0 lead over the Red Sox. By the time the dust had settled, he was being tagged with a 5-3 loss. It's the third time in his past six outings he's allowed runs, and his ERA over that stretch is 12.60 with a .417 BAA. Still, manager Mike Scioscia says he doesn't want to demote Street in favor of Cam Bedrosian, who last gave up a run in May. "Not right now. ... For sure, we need a guy in the ninth inning who's going to hold leads, and that's where Huston comes in."

Los Angeles Dodgers: Even if there's no movement before Monday's deadline, expect the Dodgers to try to add some starting pitching to their roster over the next few weeks. With the team already using a four-man rotation thanks to off days, Bud Norris lasted just 13 pitches on Sunday with tightness in his back. Manager Dave Roberts said he believes Norris will be good to go for his next start, but Norris himself was uncertain -- "I don't know yet. I don't want to speculate. ... My goal is to be back in five or six days. I hope to get a healthy side session in and get this out of my head."

Miami Marlins: Colin Rea's debut with the Marlins lasted just 44 pitches. The former Padres pitcher was cruising toward a win when he called for the trainer in the fourth inning because he felt some elbow soreness. He has already been placed on the 15-day disabled list, and an MRI on his right elbow today is expected to reveal the severity of the injury.

Milwaukee Brewers: Catcher Jonathan Lucroy was not in the starting lineup for the Brewers on Sunday, as he presumably had been traded to the Indians. However, Lucroy exercised his no-trade clause and vetoed the deal. A pinch-hit at-bat earned him a standing ovation from the home crowd, but odds are good that some other team, not on the list of teams he can nix, will make Milwaukee an offer he literally can't refuse.

Minnesota Twins: Jose Berrios struggled mightily in his brief stint with the Twins earlier this season, which ended after a disastrous two-thirds of an inning on May 16 in which he allowed seven runs to the Tigers. Now he's back and will get a chance to redeem himself. Berrios will start on Monday against Cleveland, with Tyler Duffey moving to the bullpen. Berrios had 10 wins and a 2.44 ERA with Triple-A Rochester.

New York Mets: Neil Walker better watch his step. The Mets' second baseman is now the last man standing from the Mets' opening day infield after Asdrubal Cabrera had to be carried off the field Sunday after straining a patella tendon in his left knee. Wilmer Flores, who was already filling in at third base for the injured Jose Reyes, might move to shortstop with Kelly Johnson taking over at the hot corner, unless a minor league shortstop (either Matt Reynolds or Gavin Cecchini) is summoned.

New York Yankees: The team has reportedly been receiving phone calls about both Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran. Quite frankly, after sending away both Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller, the only player on the roster who is likely to be untouchable right now is Dellin Betances. The three-time All Star as a setup man will finally be tasked with closing from this point forward. "Obviously for me it's a different role, but I have to go out there and believe in myself and trust myself and try to get the job done," Betances said.

Oakland Athletics: Rich Hill's his blister problem might end up being the best thing that could have happened to him. Hill's name has been bandied about in trade buzz leading up to the deadline, but with his injury causing him to be placed on the disabled list, interest has waned a bit. Hill wants to stay with the A's, and the team appears to also want the relationship to continue. "We're not just going to give him away because he's a potential free agent next year. And who's to say we're not interesting in keeping Rich beyond this year," general manager David Forst said.

Philadelphia Phillies: Vince Velasquez turned a lot of heads when he struck out 16 batters in April. Since then (though his dominance hasn't been nearly as impressive) and in fact, over his last 10 starts, he's had a 4.20 ERA and a .302 BAA. But there's a ton of promise here, which is why the Rangers are scouting him heavily. It wouldn't be at all surprising to see the Phillies take in a big haul for Velasquez at the deadline.

Pittsburgh Pirates: With closer Mark Melancon dealt to Washington, manager Clint Hurdle wasted no time in declaring his new late-inning hierarchy. Tony Watson will take over as closer, with Neftali Perez handling the primary setup duties. Newly acquired Felipe Rivero, who struck out two batters in his Pirates debut, should slot in as the primary seventh-inning option going forward.

St. Louis Cardinals: Shortstop Aledmys Diaz was hit on the right hand by an Andrew Cashner fastball on Sunday, and while X-rays showed no fracture, there's a chance he could miss some time. Of note was the fact that immediately after Diaz left Sunday's game, Jhonny Peralta -- playing in a rehab game -- slid over from third base to shortstop. Peralta is due back with the Cardinals on Tuesday.

San Diego Padres: Jon Jay's name would likely already be a part of the growing list of traded Padres, if not for the fact he's been on the disabled list since mid-June with a broken forearm. However, Jay's cast has finally come off, and the outfielder is awaiting clearance to begin swinging a bat. While a deal isn't likely to get pulled off before Monday's deadline, seeing him get through waivers and dealt in August once he proves his health seems to be a foregone conclusion.

San Francisco Giants: It took almost two full months for Hunter Pence to be able to return from his hamstring injury, but the outfielder finally returned to the Giants' outfield over the weekend. Pence had hits in both games he started against the Nationals and, perhaps more importantly, he played a full nine innings in both contests. San Francisco has been in the mix when it comes to Jay Bruce rumors, but at least with Pence finally back in action, there's clearly no need for the team to go "all-in" with that plan of attack.

Seattle Mariners: On Sunday, Wade Miley was sent to Baltimore in exchange for 27-year-old left-hander Ariel Miranda. Miranda, who debuted in relief on July 3 against the Mariners, obviously impressed the organization with his four K's in two innings, despite the three runs allowed on four hits. Miranda will report to Triple-A Tacoma, but as GM Jerry DiPoto noted, "[He] is a power left-handed pitcher with a four-pitch mix that is major-league-ready that provides us with flexibility."

Tampa Bay Rays: Chris Archer is scheduled to take the mound tonight for the Rays, at home against the Royals. Of course, the game's first pitch is not until 7:10 p.m., which is several hours after the trade deadline. Several teams, including the Giants and Dodgers are interested in several of the Rays' starters -- including Matt Moore and Jake Odorizzi -- so there's still a decent chance of a late scratch on the mound today.

Texas Rangers: While the Rangers seem intent on making a deadline deal of some sort, it's hard to know exactly what will materialize. Rumors overnight had Texas balking on an one-for-one swap of Joey Gallo for Jonathan Lucroy, and the Brewers seem intent on not packaging their catcher and their top relievers together. As the afternoon hours start to dwindle, though, perhaps something will give.

Toronto Blue Jays: After getting hit on the hand by a pitch in the sixth inning on Sunday, Troy Tulowitzki had to leave the game. The verdict is a chip fracture in his right thumb. For now, the team will see how their shortstop can deal with any pain, but a trip to the disabled list could certainly be on the horizon. The interim answer would likely be Darwin Barney or perhaps a recall of Ryan Goins from Triple-A. Either way, this will hurt a bit.

Washington Nationals: Let's just say clubhouse camaraderie has never seemed to be a strong suit for Jonathon Papelbon. Just ask Bryce Harper about that. That said, Papelbon is saying all the right things as the team welcomes their new closer, Mark Melancon. "We're fighting for a championship; this is what it takes to achieve it. I'm just going to have to do whatever it takes to accept a new role and a new challenge for myself," Papelbon said. One can hope.

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