The Trade Deadline either brings a rush of hope or a tsunami of despair among fanbases across Major League Baseball. If your favorite team added pieces to help propel them to October, congratulations. And, if they either sold your favorite players or did absolutely nothing to help the future, my condolences. For Fantasy Baseball enthusiasts, having a player on the real-life Trade Block is nerve-racking. You hope and pray that your guy ends up in a situation that improves their value and does not end up losing valuable playing time and there’s usually one or two valuable assets that lose their luster.
With a plethora of impact players moved in the days leading up to the deadline, let’s look at who’s value is on the rise, and who might have taken a hit.
Fantasy Baseball Winners and Losers from the 2024 Trade Deadline
WINNER: Dodgers get SP Jack Flaherty
The top arm moved at this year’s deadline, Jack Flaherty gets dropped right into the thick of a pennant race with his hometown team. Flaherty has worked incredibly hard to rebuild his value going into a second try at free agency, and it’s paid massive dividends so far. He pitched to a 2.95 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and seventh-most strikeouts in the American League with 133. The Los Angeles Dodgers work with pitchers at an elite level, and Flaherty is in a perfect spot to thrive. He should continue to be a must-start option as a starting pitcher in the NL.
LOSER: White Sox Keep SP Garrett Crochet
For fantasy purposes, this is about the worst-case scenario. You always hope that an elite arm gets moved off a terrible team, and this is no exception as Garret Crochet is leading the American League in strikeouts for the worst team in baseball, the Chicago White Sox. Crochet would have had an opportunity to pitch down the stretch and potentially not be subject to innings limits if competing for a contending team. Instead, Crochet stays in Chicago where he has little leverage and may be shut down before September even comes around. His staying put is a huge blow to his fantasy managers.
WINNER: Rays SS/3B Junior Caminero
The top prospect in baseball will almost certainly be called up in the coming weeks after the Tampa Bay Rays jettisoned Isaac Paredes, who was primarily blocking him from getting big-league reps at third base. If you stashed Caminero for this long, you will soon be rewarded. If he’s available in your league, go grab him off waivers before it’s too late. The 21-year-old carries a .811 OPS with 10 home runs at AAA this season and should see regular at-bats in Tampa Bay here sooner than later.
LOSER: Phillies grab CP Carlos Estevez
I loved the Phillies-Angels deal involving Carlos Estevez and George Klassen for both sides. However, Estevez’s value has completely evaporated for the time being. The 6’6″ reliever has collected 51 saves over the past two seasons for the Angels, but his role is much murkier in Philadelphia with a ton of options for Rob Thomson to go to in the back end of that bullpen. He’s still worthy of a roster spot in Holds leagues, but you’re bummed out if you were counting on him for Saves.
WINNER: CP Peter Fairbanks
Opposite of Estevez’s situation, Pete Fairbanks is now the top saves option in Tampa Bay and really the top bullpen arm in general. Fairbanks struggled early this season with inconsistency and lost grip of the closer role, trading off the late innings with Jason Adam. He’s since righted ship, only allowing one walk in July. Fairbanks’ stuff is as good as anybody’s in the league and is a regular Pitching Ninja feature, as well as a popular interview among fans. He should be picked up in saves leagues as big as 12 teams.
Main Image: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
