Fantasy Baseball Today - Jarren Duran Promoted! Each Team's Closer Situation & Rumors (7/15 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: July 15, 2021

The band is back together! What's all this hoopla when comparing Babe Ruth and Shohei Ohtani (2:41)!? ... Jarren Duran will reportedly be called up on Thursday (8:41)! Is he a must-add in Fantasy? ... News (15:15)! Trevor Bauer had his leave extended until July 27th and Adam Eaton signed with the Angles. ... Let's take a closer look at each American League team's bullpen (16:36). Who might be traded? Which relievers should you stash? Who can help with holds? ... Now let's do the same thing in the National League (32:51). ... Let's hit on the latest trade rumors (42:53). Will Trevor Story and/or Kris Bryant be moved? What would Joey Gallo look like in Yankee Stadium? ... Email us at [e-mail]. 'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.  To nominate Fantasy Baseball Today for The People’s Choice podcast awards, go to podcastawards.com/app/signup/ and then toggle down the "Sports" category. Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @FBTPod, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_Frank Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtoday Sign up for the FBT Newsletter at https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters/fantasy-baseball-today/ For more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday You can listen to Fantasy Baseball Today on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast from CBS Sports. I drive. Centerfield. What is magnificent? Got a fantasy question? Email Fantasy Baseball at CBSI.com. Get ready to win your league. Well, fantasy becomes reality.

Now here's Frank Scott, Chris, and Adam. What is up? Welcome on into fantasy baseball today on Thursday, July 15th, and the band is back together. Frank Staple, Jones. by Scott White and Chris Towers. Look at us. Look at us, guys. We did it.

What band are we? I don't know. I mean, that's more of a U-Q question. It's got to be a three-piece. Yes. So, you know, you look at the big three pieces. You're talking cream, rush, the police, blink 182. You tell us, Chris, because it was pretty sad when we did a team name Tuesday,

just the two of us, and it was all these music references that neither of us got. It was. It was very sad. We needed you, Chris. I could see it being like the police. Because you got like Stuart Copeland, who's this like an incredible drummer. He's just like a real, real, I don't know what the term I'm looking for. But that's Scott.

Scott's really good. He's smart. You got Sting. I could be Sting, the like overly erudite guy that nobody really likes. Frank, who can be, you can't remember their guitarist name. Frank could be that guy. It was mostly just a path to to be self-deprecating.

Yeah, that would be, that would be Andy Summers. That's me. Andy Summers, of course. You're Andy Summers. I'm the guy that no one can remember his name, but I'm there. I'm like in the band, but, you know.

He's a good guitarist, you know? So you got that going for you. I appreciate that. I mean, if I had to choose myself just based on who I like most from the groups you mentioned, probably Blink 182, but that's... Honestly, same.

Yes, I'm all about it. Today on the show, but we are going to recap a little bit of our Jaron-Duran emergency podcast that we did. Chris was not on that, so we'll get his opinion. We will check in on every team's bullpen. That's right. The bulk of the show. Which players are going to be moved?

Who's the next man up? Who can you add if you need hold to have all of it, I think, hopefully? We've got some trade rumors, Joey Gallo, Trevor Story, all the Cubs. Where are these guys headed? I don't know. It's just fun to talk about. Will it really change things all that much? I don't know.

And then we have your mailbag questions as well. some Apple podcast review questions, and some emails, Fantasy Baseball at CBSI.com. But before all of that, I would like to ruffle some feathers. It's been a while since we've had a controversial topic to talk about here on the podcast.

Let us know what you think. Tweet at us, email us, let us know. But I am all here for it. Chris, we were talking beforehand. Show Hey Otani what he is doing right now in this generation of baseball. They're not going to like to hear it. is more impressive than what Babe Ruth did in his career.

There's no doubt in my mind. Now, that's not taking anything away from Babe Ruth because the Great Bambino, the legend, the Sultan of Swat. The Sultan of Swat. The Colossus of Clout. The massive baseball batts. You've heard all about it.

The big wooden sticks this guy would use. Oh, my goodness. Where is it? Oh, my goodness gracious. There you go. I think in the interest of clarity, they all use wooden sticks. Sure, but sure.

Anyway, he was doing it against guys that had day jobs. They're going off to the military. I mean, these are just not, like, it's not even close to the same thing. The level of athlete that was playing back in the 1910s, 1920s is just, it's not even close. It's night and day. It's not even a conversation, Chris. It's functionally a different sport. Like, if you picked, it, like, it's always like this time machine versus what,

whatever, like, did you take Babe Ruth as a baby and bring him to 2001 and raise him in this world that we live in? Or did you just pluck Babe Ruth out of 1927 and drop him in? If you pick Babe Ruth out of 1927 and dropped him here, one, he would be terrified at modern technology. Like the Jumbotron. Just imagine someone born in 1900 looking at a 150,000. foot 4K monitor. It just, it would blow their mind. He would be unable to function. And also, like, Shohei Otani probably throws more pitches over 90 miles per hour in one start than Babe Ruth saw his entire career. It's just, it's functionally a different game. Like the, you're not, guys aren't throwing 170 pitch complete games and like, pitchers were bad hitters

back then, but they were much better relative to the league than they are now. And two-way players were, if not common, certainly not a totally rare occurrence. We haven't, like, the reason we're going back to Babe Ruth is because that's the last guy who really did it. And that's a hundred years ago. He stopped pitching basically 100 years ago this season. And so the fact that Shohei Otani cannot just do both because there have been pitchers who could hit, like, Dantra Willis was a pretty good hitter. and Madison Bumgarner

He's not that good But he'd had a couple of years that were good What was the Micah Owings Was pretty good They threw him out in the outfield a few times There was a guy for the Reds as well Michael Lorenzen right

I think they were I think they were Rink down Wasn't Rick Ankeel originally an outfielder And then he turned into a pitcher I mean it took originally At the same time But yeah

Brooks Kishnik But like And like Hunter Green The prospect that the Reds drafted Brendan McKay Like, there have been a handful of guys who have tried, but none of them have actually succeeded at any level. With the exception of Shohayotani, we're talking about, I mean, really a hundred years. You know, there were some, like Bob Lemon could hit and Bob Gibson could hit, but you're still talking about, like, sub-70 OPS plus guys.

Yes. Just on degree of difficulty, what Shohay Otani is doing right now is clearly more difficult than what Babe Ruth did. That being said, Babe Ruth had a season where he hit more home. runs than every other team in baseball did. So, like, that is its own version of incredibly impressive. But then they're also like, Shohei Otani is playing against Latin American players and Asian American players and black players. You know, the talent pool is so much deeper now that we're drawing from, even with football

and basketball and all these other sports competing for, you know, the talent pool. You're still talking about a hundred times. more potential players being chosen from relative to a hundred years ago in baseball. It's just, it's a completely different, it's like, it's unfair to compare. Like, it's unfair to Babe Ruth to compare it. And also, Babe Ruth played in what was functionally a minor league. That's probably the take that's going to make people mad. Sure.

Yeah. I mean, look, he can only go up against who the other teams had, right? Like, it's, again, like, he played in the league that would not allow him to go against the very best players. Sure. Or at least all of the best players. So like that the talent level wasn't as great as it could have been. Intentionally so by design.

That's not Babe Ruth's fault necessarily. Exactly. That's my point is that it's not his fault that that was the case, right? So I just, I don't think you can make the comparison. It's such a different world. It's a different sport. And I don't know. All you can really say for sure is that Babe Ruth stood out more than anyone else

among his peers. Yeah, sure. Which is, I mean, especially 100 years apart. That's, but really any area you're looking at in baseball, that's, that's really the only kind of measurement you could make. But you also see that less and less often in all sports as we move along. Like, Will Chamberlain stood out against his peers more than LeBron James does. Yes.

You know, as sports go, there are less and there are fewer and fewer of these outliers like that because the talent pool gets, you know, the bar that you have to clear to get there, so high. Scott, you're here, by the way. I don't know if there's anything else you'd like to add. Now they're 10 minutes of the podcast. No, that's fine. This is, this is, this is, this is Chris's thing. Chris's thing. Also, Chris's thing is whatever his opinion on Jaron Duran is, because one of the top prospects in the game is being called up and we have done an emergency podcast already. You can go check that out. 24 year old Jaron, batting 270 at AAA with 15 home runs and 12 steals on the season has really improved that power the past year or so.

And he's 47% rostered. Chris, anything that you would like to add on Jared Kelnick, do you believe that he is a must-ad player? And a question I- Jaron-Duran, Frank. He called him Jared Kelnick, just like you did that time during the emergency pod. It is tough, man, because the names are,

obviously the first names are so similar, but is Jaron Duran a must-ad player in fantasy? The question I keep getting now is Duran or Luis Robert? And I think that that is a fair question. Duran's here. Luis Robert, we're hoping can be here by the beginning of August, maybe middle of August. I mean, you're probably still realistically looking at close to a month away. I think the chances of Luis Robert being a very good player are higher than they are for Jaron Duran,

because he's already been that at the Major League level. But if you have to pick one, yeah, you would rather have Jaron. to run right now because he's here. Uh, the thing I'm, you know, obviously there's a big, there's been a big jump in his power. And one thing I wish we had, and I'm trying to look for it is to see if there's any kind of, um, you know, like did he start hitting the ball harder at the alternate site last year? Is he hitting this one? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Right, right, right. But I mean, like, like was it just to hit more fly balls? Is this like a, is this like a cabin Bigio situation where you're talking about maybe middling raw power,

but he's getting the most out of it. Will that play in the same way in the majors? That's what I'm... Yeah, I mean, it's hard to get exit velocity readings for minor league, but I mean, just based on the scouting reports, that's not what I gather. I mean, he totally changed his setup. And, you know, I was reading about how the guy who scouted him

thought he had the ability to develop power and his swing was just so flat that... You know, he needed the overhaul that he underwent with Doug Lada, who was the hitting guru, who most known for turning Justin Turner into a perennial all-star when he was just a role player for the Mets before that. That's who Duran tapped into to get his swing where it is now. And obviously, he's turned into a much, you know, a much higher prospect because of it. The Robert Duran comparison, we didn't bring that up on the emergency pod. And of course, I'm not going to rehash everything here, everything I said there.

But I think certainly a prospect of Duran's caliber. And he's a step behind Wander Franco and Jared Kelnick in terms of how likely he is to be great and how great he can possibly be, both the floor and upside. He's behind those guys. And yet we've seen those guys both falter in their first stint in the majors. And we've talked about it with a lot of, with basically every prospect call up this year, how seems like that transition is becoming more and more difficult. So I think you honestly have to treat somebody like Duran more like a lottery ticket. I mean, we've used that term than fantasy before, but obviously the odds were much better than a lottery ticket that it would pay off. And now they're closer to a lottery ticket where you shouldn't expect it to pay off.

And so I think if I'm deciding between Robert and Duran, you know, Robert isn't a lottery ticket. Robert, you're going to have to wait a few more weeks for him, but assuming he doesn't suffer a setback, he's going to be a high-end contributor for you. Yeah, that's the only thing is like, I don't know to what extent Robert is a lottery ticket just because this was an injury that we thought might keep him out for the whole season. That's the only thing is like,

what's a bigger chance that Robert suffers some kind of setback or that Duran just doesn't hit? I would think the chances of Robert suffering a setback are probably not as high as the chances of Duran hitting, but look, if you've got space for both of them, You should absolutely have both of them on your roster. I don't have space for both of them in any of my leagues because there's so many injuries. And just to put some context on what you were saying about, you know, rookies, obviously,

I think we have a lot of anecdotal evidence about the rookie class, the rookie is struggling. But right now, rookies collectively have a 28% strikeout rate and a 79 weighted runs created. That is the, obviously it's the worst strike rate of all time for, or at least, I mean, I'm going to go ahead and say all time for rookies. It's 0.9% worse than 2020. It's 3.5% worse than 2019. And the 79 Wade Runs Creative Plus for the rookies collectively is the second worst since 2002.

2002 it was 78 way to Runs Creative Plus. Last season it was 83. So rookies as a whole are performing worse and it hasn't really gotten much better as the season's gone on. Chris, to answer your question about, Jared, Jaron Duran. I almost did it again.

Jaron Duran's power, his fly ball rate this season is a career high 39%. That's never been higher than 29% at any other level. And his home run to drive rate is up. Yes, and his home run to fly ball ratio is 29%,

which is a massive number and likely wasn't even sustainable at AAA, so I wouldn't expect anything close to that in the majors. Maybe it's half of that, something like 14, 15%, which is right around league average.

But the fact that he is putting the ball in the air more frequently and those are turning into home runs more than ever, I think kind of just lends itself to that change in his swing and the fact that he has just added more power. I mean, physically, you look at the guy where he's at now compared to where he was a couple of years ago. He just looks stronger. So yes, I think he is a strong boy. That is definitely something that has played in here as well before we hit the news and notes and there's only two news items that I have today. The Open Championship has arrived. Golf's final major is back for the first time in two years and the first cut crew has you covered on the links as the world's best

travel to Royal St. George's. Join Rick Gaiman, Kyle Porter, and Mick Imleman, Mark Immleman, rather, as they preview the tournament from a betting perspective and give you round by round updates throughout the week. Go inside the ropes on the first cut golf podcast available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Those extensive news and notes that I have. The MLB has extended Trevor Bauer's administrative leave to July 27th. John Heyman of MLB Network reported earlier on Wednesday. And at some point, it could turn into an indefinite leave, which I guess is... I think it would have to turn into an indefinite leave after this one. Isn't that the rule that they can only extend it so many times? His hearing for his restraining order is July 23rd. So we may have more clarity.

at that point, but there's nothing new here otherwise. Yeah, it's hard to say one way or the other, so I don't know. Obviously, it's like much bigger than fantasy baseball, which is, it's always kind of weird to talk about these situations because our job is to talk about fantasy baseball and give everyone advice, but obviously, like, the situation is way more important than just fantasy baseball. The Angels signed outfielder at a meet to a major league contract on Wednesday, which don't really know that it matters all that much,

When I checked out their roster resource page, I found out that Phil Gosselin had been starting in left field recently for the Angels. Justin Upton is on the IL. Mike Trout is on the IL. Those guys could both be back soon. So this isn't really news, but it was a very slow news day. So there are your two news items from Wednesday. Closer updates.

And throughout all of this, we will talk about who we think is the current closer, who are the holds leaders, I have some of that information. And could any of these teams look to either trade, their closers away, closer, closers, or look to acquire somebody. So let's talk about all that. And we'll start with the American League.

And with the Orioles, I have no idea who their closer is. Their last three saves have been Cole Sulcer, Dylan Tate, and Adam Plutco. And I think Paul Fry is probably the best of the bunch. So no idea. Yeah, I mean, they tried Paul Fry in that role for a while. The save opportunities didn't come up very consistently, but they were using him like a closer, you know? And it just kind of all fell apart for him.

And Cole Solcer at one point, his numbers were closer caliber too, and they've since taken a turn for the worse. And I think it's, you know, worth noting, like, they haven't had a save in July. Those three actually came on three consecutive days. But before that, it looks like they had three saves in the first 26 days of the month. month of June. So they have had six saves going back to the start of June. So you hesitate to say it doesn't matter. But it certainly doesn't matter that much. Nobody has, nobody has enough momentum for a team that's not going to get the opportunities consistently enough. Like none of them are going to help you enough in ratios where like, okay, you can start a manual class there or James Karen Jack, even when class A was getting the saves. You know, it's not like that either way. Yes. I am confident saying that in.

even in a 15 team league, I don't know that any of these guys need to be rostered, but if you'd like to roster any of them, I think Paul Fryer or Cole Solcer are more than likely to get the next save opportunity for the Baltimore Orioles. For the Red Sox, you already know it's Matt Barnes, who has 19 saves on the season. There have been some trade rumors about a reunion with Craig Kimbrel, so obviously that would throw a wrench in things, but until something happens there, I would just assume that Matt Barnes is obviously the guy. rest of season.

For the Yankees, a Roldus Chapman, I guess. Chad Green got their last save, and then he pitched on Sunday before the All-Star break and allowed a bunch of runs and a three-run,

walk-off home run, to Jose Al-Tuveh. And Zach Britton is someone who's returning and someone that you alluded to on yesterday's podcast, Scott. So, Yankees. What do you think?

Yeah, it's been awful for a Roldus Chapman, and it's coincided with a drop and spin rate as the foreign substances crackdown has taken effect. 14 earn runs in his past 6 and 2 thirds innings. Cizieri has gone from 0.39 to 4.55 in the span of three weeks, the four weeks.

I still think he's most likely to get the next one. I don't know if he's 50-50 to get the next one or 60-40 or 40-60, but he's more likely than anyone else. He is. But for the first time in his career, it feels like he's vulnerable. It feels like he may not be able to hang on to the job, especially with Zach Britton coming back,

who himself was an all-star closer with the Orioles, who has been a great fill-in for an injured Chapman in the past. You know, we got to make sure he's healthy because he's missed most of this year with injury. But it wouldn't be the most shocking turn of events if Britain overtakes Chapman in August. and, you know, if that happens, Britain would become a highly desirable fantasy option

closing out games for the Yankees. For sure. A roll this, Chapman, I will say this. If he has another major meltdown the first week or so coming out of the second half, I think that he's out of that role for the foreseeable future, the next couple of weeks, month, whatever it might be, because he's had some real, real bad meltdown.

So that's just my two cents there on the Yankees. For Tampa Bay, Diego Castillo has the last two saves. For them, Pete Fairbanks kind of had a chance there a couple of weeks ago, but didn't really take advantage. If you are looking for just awesome ratios or holes, Andrew Kittridge, Colin McHugh, JP Firecisson, Fairbanks on this team actually has nine holds on the season. But I would rank those other three ahead of him if you're just looking for really good ratios. But you know who the Tampa Bay Rays are. They're going to mix and match.

I think Diego Castillo is more than likely to get the next save opportunity for Tampa Bay. For the Blue Jays. Sure looks like Jordan Romano is the guy, but I do wonder if they would look into acquiring somebody who has a little bit more experience than him. So just something that I would keep in mind there. Yeah, it's possible. They've really gotten hit hard the bullpen has

in terms of injuries, obviously. Losing Julian and Meriwether at the start of the year was a big blow. Rafael DeLis, who we saw in the close of roll for a while, fell apart and then got hurt. and I think he's back now, but he's not, he's certainly not a bankable option for them. They don't have much behind Jordan Romano, so it would make sense for them to bolster their bullpen before the deadline.

And if that means acquiring a Kimbril or who else is out there, Ian Kennedy. Maybe Richard Rodriguez, I think. Richard Rodriguez, yeah, I was trying to think of the name, the Pirates guy. I don't, I don't know that any, other than Kimbril, of course, I don't know that any of them would automatically overtake Romano, but it would be it would be a threat. For the White Sox, it's Liam Hendricks. Obviously he has 23 saves there. Garrett Crochet

and Michael Copac are both great for strikeouts and holds and when Aaron Bummer returns from the IL he had 10 holds on the season 3.26 ERA 12.8K per 9 there for Aaron Bummer. For Cleveland, James Karenchak has their last two

saves. He has nine overall. Emmanuel Class A has 11 on the season. If you do need some holds in Cleveland, and Shaw has 12 holds. Chris, I don't know if anybody kind of has a firm hold on Cleveland's bullpen, but I think it's Karen checks for now.

Yeah, it looks like Class A hasn't had a save opportunity gosh, since June 16th, if I'm reading this correctly. He had a blown save in the 8th inning on July 9th. And then he pitched in the 9th inning but wasn't in a save opportunity.

on July 4th and 5th, if I'm looking at it correctly. Actually, the one on July 5th. He has one on July 5th, and then the previous one was June 16th. So he has one save opportunity essentially in the last month. I think Class A is clearly not in that close rule. For the Tigers, Gregory Soto has their last save. Jose Sissnero has the two saves. Before that, I personally think that Jose Sisnero is better, in my opinion.

But I think that they kind of mix and match here. one lefty, one righty. Tigers are not going to win many games. It's kind of like the Orioles, but I think it's a little bit more set on just those two guys between Soto and Jose Sisnero. And Michael Fulmer is going to be back at some point. And he looked like the preferred option

for AJ Hinch before he got hurt. Yep. Yeah, I think the problem is, if neither one of them is going to be the guy, you're hoping for what, a save a week, maybe two in a good case scenario for one of those two guys, and neither of them's particularly good.

so yeah probably more like a save every other week I mean they have 812 19 in 17 I think we're coming up on week 19 actually for fantasy so that kind of tells the story

week 16 week 16 not quite not quite to 19 yet it would be 17 if you divided that first week in two okay maybe that's where I don't know why I got confused for the royals one of the hardest ones to figure out all year Scott Barlow has their last two saves,

but he's given up five earned runs in two appearances. Since then, I do think Scott Barlow has the best strikeout stuff on the team. Maybe he's someone who's on the trade block as well. Anything to add on the Royals? Actually, we're going into week 15 if you combine that first two weeks. It would be 16 if you split them up. But anyway. Really?

Last week was 15. What team are we talking about? The Royals. That's how little it matters. I think Scott Barlow is pretty good. I thought Scarborough Barlow was pretty good last year, and I think he got an opportunity to be the closer at one point and immediately blew up.

Maybe that's going back to 2019. Well, it looked like he was going to be the guy finally now, but then he got a couple saves, right? And then they immediately went back to using him in more of a setup role. I think it's in like the sixth or seventh in one recent game. Yeah, yeah. Work the ninth for a save on back-to-back days, July 2nd, third, then came in in the seventh and then the eighth in his next two appearances and went

and gave up runs and both because probably probably he's in that closer mindset, right? But he's got a 316 career FIP. He's never had a FIP over 349. I think he's pretty good. For the Minnesota Twins, Hansel Robles has nine saves and 13 holds on the season. Taylor Rogers has eight of each of those statistics. But they basically split. I think a lot of it is dependent on matchups. Who's coming up earlier in the game. If it's a big spot with lefties coming up, they're going to use Taylor Rogers. And you could kind of swap that around based on if they're righties coming up. The twins, however, are 11 games under 500.

So they could look to trade one, both, neither. I don't know. I think the Twers is, I think a lot better. Yeah. If you're just asking, like, who's the better picture out of the two? I think Rogers is clearly the best option. Yeah, no, I would agree with that. But I guess Minnesota will be a free agent.

Which probably makes them the more likely to be traded, right? Yeah, he's got one year of arbitration left, so he can be a free agent at the end of next season. So not necessarily need to trade him now, but this is the time of a player's contractual life where team might start to think about it. For the Astros, Ryan Presley, obviously the closer there. Ryan Stannick leads a team with 11 holds, if he need holds. For the Angels, Ryseli Glacius has 19 saves, each of Steve Seishak, Tony Watson, and Mike Myers have double-digit. holds there. For Oakland, Lou Trevino leads a team

with 14 saves. Jake Deekman has 7. Us Merro Petit has 16 saves with a 4.4K per 9. What's that? He has 16 holds, yes. What did I say? Saves.

Gosh, I'm all over the place. Thank you. Thank you for catching that, Chris. But yes, Usmero Petit has 16 holds just does not get any strikeouts. This has begun to look more like Lutrovino's job. I know Jake Deekman got a save recently, and they still play matchups to a certain degree,

but it was a near 50-50 split earlier on like the Twins situation, and they're going much more with Trevino in the ninth now. And by the way, I recently saw Trevor Rosenthal is done for the year, so he's not going to come interfere in the weeks ahead. For the Mariners, Kendall Graemean leads a team with eight saves, but Paul Seawald has two of their last three saves, and he has a K per 9 over 15. For those two saves, Kendall Graveman was unavailable for both. But, C-Wald's like, kind

of interesting. He's 12% roster. Gives you all these strikeouts. I think he's probably just going to be someone to like spell Graveman if he ever needs a day off or something, but. He has a 102 FIP. Yeah. See, well, he's been all.

Him and Craveman have both been really, really good developmental stories for them this season. Sure. 15.15.4K per nine. And Drew Steckenwriter has become a pretty reliable setup man, too, even better than he was in his Marlins days. So, yeah, I mean, suddenly they have alternatives to Graveman

if they don't want to fully commit to Kendall Graveman in the role. He's still, I mean, 0.95 ERA. There's no reason why they really should mess with him in that role. But, you know, Scott's service has been less than committal. So we'll see. for the Rangers, Ian Kennedy has 15 saves and one of the prime trade candidates here at the deadline. And if he's moved to a contending team, I would imagine he probably doesn't close for whatever team he goes to. He's probably, you know, winds up as a seventh, eighth inning guy.

Again, that is Ian Kennedy. So just kind of brace yourself for that if you are depending on him for saves. The person who has pitched the eighth inning in their most recent save was Spencer Patton, who has a 2.92 ERA and 11.7K per 9. Is there anyone else you see in the Rangers bullpen that you think would take over, if not Patton? No, I mean, it was a problem identifying a replacement for Kennedy when he spent that time on the IEL, as brief as it was.

Yeah. Nobody I'd be excited to have in fantasy. I imagine there'd be a lot of mixing and matching and become like the Oriole situation where you're not convinced anybody's that good and you never know who's going to be next anyway. Yes, they have used Yoeli Rodriguez in the eighth inning a few times. Recently as well, I noticed he's a lefty. He's got a 5.84 ERA, so I don't think he's very good.

And when Ian Kennedy was out, I believe it was Josh Spores. That's S-B-O-R-Z, who had a save opportunity, but I think he blew that save. So I think Spencer Patton is probably the best reliever in that bullpen outside of Kennedy, but I guess time will tell because I think he's very likely to be. traded. As we've mentioned quite a few times recently, very happy to have Express back as a sponsor on the podcast, Express Confidence, Express You. Express is all new and all about you with a fresh mix of casual, versatile, and super comfortable styles. Got to start with their cotton shred shirts, which very often I am wearing here on the podcast, their V-necks are great. Have a few black ones,

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Comfort Knit. Make sure to be on the lookout for great summer deals in stores and at express.com. Express Confidence, Express You. We are going to take a quick break, but when we return, we will take a look at the National League bullpens and some MLB trade rumors next on fantasy baseball today. All right, so let's start with your Atlanta Braves. Scott Will Smith, you know the deal. 18 saves on the season. If you need holds, A.J. Minutes. Inter has 19 holds. Luke Jackson has much better ratios, though he has quite a few less holds.

He's only at 11 there for the Atlanta Braves. Are they going to trade for someone? Probably not, right, Scott? I mean, I don't know. With Acuna going down, I've kind of, I've kind of given up on them for 2021. I know they're only like four games back or something, right?

Yeah. So they're not out of it, but I don't know. I feel like they're out of it. For the Marlins, Yemi Garcia has 13 saves. However, a 6.57 ERA in 14 appearances since the start of June.

And I think he also could be traded. Anthony Bender has a 1.84 ERA in their most recent save. He also blew one in a one-run game. He allowed one run to score. 12K per 9, 10% rostered is Anthony Bender. Chris, do you foresee Yemi Garcia getting traded? I kind of think Bender could take over

even if Garcia, isn't traded. I think Garcia could be traded. I also think Bender could, you know, the one thing Bender does have going for him relative to the Yimmee Garcia, Dylan Floro, Anthony Bass, the other kind of good relievers in this bullpen is he is in his first season. And so there's real no financial incentive for them to move on from him. So I could absolutely see them looking at him as the starter or the closer down the stretch for sure. And he's been really, really good this season. For the Phillies, Ranger Suarez has their last two saves, and he recorded the final seven outs on Sunday that took him 45 pitches. He's 26% rostered. The Phillies are currently in

second place in the National League East. They're three and a half games out. So I guess it's a possibility they could trade for somebody as well. Interest level in Ranger Suarez? I feel like he's the guy as much as I can say that for anyone with only two saves on the year. 0.77ERA, 0.74. We have the strikeout rate, you know, exactly one per. But he has the extreme, extreme ground ball rate that is sustained a guy like Zach Britton over the course of his career.

No, it's hard to repeat Zach Britton. But, I mean, everybody else that the Phillies have used in that role has been disastrous. It's just weird that he got seven outs in that final appearance before the All-Star break because you wouldn't normally treat a closer that way. He's a converted starter, and you figure, last one before the All-Star break, I can't trust anyone else right now. Seriously?

I guess I can see the logic behind it. And I'm pretty sure that Jose Alvarado pitched earlier in that game, and he gave up some runs. So they probably just didn't have anybody, yeah. So Hector Neris pitched in the fifth. Jose Alvarado pitched in the sixth. He gave up four hits, two runs. Archie Bradley, then came in, recorded an inning, and they had to be. nobody else. So they just let Rangers

Juarez go and, you know, recording a save like that, that's going to help build some confidence in Joe Durrari, assuming that they don't go out and trade for someone. So that is Ranger Swares again with the Phillies. For the Nationals, Brad Hand has 19 saves. He's the guy there. Daniel Hudson has 11 holds. Actually has great ratios and strikeouts

this year if you just need a reliever for those specific things. For the Cubs, I think it's very likely that Craig Kimberl is dealt at the deadline. Before the deadline, he has 20 saves. Andrew Chaffin, pitched in the eighth inning in their most recent save. Ryan Tepera pitched two innings before that.

Both of those guys have a ton of holds, and they both have been very good this year. Chris, if Kimberl is traded, Andrew Chafin, Tepara. Tepara's the righty, so I kind of lean that way. Yeah, I think that's probably the most likely outcome Tepara being the righty. Just shout out to Craig Kimbril

for having like a vintage Craig Kimbril season. This is like, I'm not going to say it's as good as we've ever seen him. He's still, although this is like the third lowest walk rate of his career. That is stunning. Man, shouts to Craig Kimbril. Yeah, I think it would be Ryan Tepera. One thing I do want to go back to, I don't remember when we were talking about the Braves. Did we mention Will Smith as a trade candidate?

No. Yeah, I know he is under contract for next season, but that might actually make him more attractive to a team that's looking to trade for a closer. I don't know if that's something they're likely to do, but it's worth considering at least. Yep, and I guess kind of similar here with the Braves. AJ Minter is the lefty there. Luke Jackson is the righty. Jackson has better numbers.

So if you need names to remember, I think those are the two for Atlanta. For the Reds, much like the Royals in the American League, it's been a mess for Cincinnati. Obviously, since T.J. Anton and Lucas Sims went down with injury, we thought it was going to be Brad Brock. We thought it was going to be Amir Garrett. Now, Heath Hembray had saves last Friday and Saturday.

Josh Osich got the save on Sunday with Hembray unavailable. Antonin Sims are due back late July. Scott, any read on the situation? Maybe the Reds trade for somebody too. I don't know how many games they are out. Let's see. I don't have that available right now. But what do you think, Reds?

The Reds are four games out, four games behind the Brewers. They're in second place. They're very much in the playoff picture. And it would make a ton of sense for them to bolster. that bullpen with a late inning arm because it's surprising they've been this competitive with the bullpen they do have. You know, if they don't, my guess is Lucas Sims becomes the leading candidate for saves, but I don't know that it would be a true closer situation. One thing that's worth noting is Michael Lorenzen should be back very soon.

And they are using him basically in a one-inning role in his rehab assignment. He pitched two innings and one outing, but for the most part, four outings, five innings. So he's another name to consider. He's been up and down, but the two years before 2020, he was pretty good. I think part of the problem is they have a lot of guys who haven't proven they can be much more than pretty good. That's basically-Anton is very good. Yes. Captain Hook, they like to call him. Love me some T.J. Anton, but yeah, I think it's probably, it's Hembrie for now.

if Sims comes back healthy likely go back to him but would not surprise me if they trade for someone for the Brewers Josh Hader 21 saves on the season obviously he's their guy Devin Williams 15 holds Brad Boxburger has 11 for the Pirates Definitely possible Richard Rodriguez

is dealt he has 12 saves on the season Will Beddar has pitched in the eighth inning in each of the last two saves for the Pirates so I do think he would be the next man up in Pittsburgh for the Cardinals Alex Reyes is 20 for 20 in save opportunity this year. Very clearly, the guy, hopefully, that walk rate doesn't get too out of control.

I mean, it's pretty much been out of control all year, but hopefully it doesn't actually hamper his effectiveness. Rest of the show. Shouts to Alex Reyes for pitching in an all-star game. Yeah. I mean, we didn't know what this guy's career was going to be, all that he's gone through, all the injuries, major injuries too, right? So he's definitely had a rocky start to his career, but settling in very nicely as the closer for the Cardinals. Giovanni Gallegos has 13 holds for that team, Hennesis Cabrera. has 12 holds. For the Diamondbacks,

Joachim Soria has their last three saves. All of them have come in July and could definitely be moved. Diamondbacks is one of the worst teams in baseball right now. No way Ramirez has pitched in the eighth inning in two of those three saves in July.

No way he gets the job though. Oh, right. I mean, that's possible. I'm sorry. Yeah, but it's just, yeah, it's the Diamondbacks. It's what's their over, under for wins the rest of the season?

It's, I don't know, probably in the 15 to 20 range, I guess. That might even be too much. I don't know. For the Rockies, Daniel Bard has 14 saves. Guess is possible he could be moved as well. They don't have a great record there. The Rockies do.

Carlos Estevez has pitched in the eighth inning in three of their last four saves. I don't think that he's very good, but some reason they use him as the setup guy. So name to remember there, Carlos Estevez. For the Dodgers, it's Kenley Jansen. Blake Trinen has 17 holds for the Padres. Mark Malanson leads baseball with 12. 27 saves has been a little bit more rocky recently, so we'll pay attention there. But Tim Hill has 12 holds.

Emilio Pagan has 11. And last but not least, the Giants, Jake McGee, has their last three saves, 19 on the season, excellent season for Jake McGee, Tyler Rogers has 10 saves, and 17 holds. They have the best record in baseball. Maybe they look to trade for someone, shore up that bullpen. But, Scott, you've mentioned this. It looks like they have gone back to Jake McKeown. McGee as their main closer.

Yeah, he had that rough patch end of April, early May, and Tyler Rogers was able to pick up a few saves, but it's definitely McGee's job now, and the numbers he's putting up, but he deserves to keep it. You didn't mention the best reliever in the Padres bullpen is Austin Adams, who I don't know how many holds he has, but 171 ERA 104 Whip, 13.6K per 9.

He's helping pad the ratios in my NL-only league, so a little shout out to Austin Adams and the Padres, bullpen deep bullpen in San Diego going back to another deep bullpen in the NL West. Have you guys seen how good Joseph West has been or Joseph Kelly, excuse me, since the start of June? I have not. He doesn't go by Joe Kelly. Joe Kelly was the guy who walked everyone. He's Joseph Kelly. Joseph Kelly's got the good control. He has four walks since the start of June. He only has six walks the whole season. That is stunning. That's a different guy. stunning for the guy who once threw a baseball through his living room window while playing catch.

I don't know if you guys remember that video from the... Sure do. Quarantine. Oh, man. Let's hit some of these MLB trade rumors. And look, there are a few that obviously, if these guys are moved, it could affect their fantasy value. And I think the biggest one that comes to mind here is Trevor Story, who is a pending free agent for the Colorado Rockies at this point. And they mentioned that they weren't shopping him because they wanted him to go into the all-state.

our break with a clear mind and be able to enjoy the experience there in Denver, Colorado. So I think that made a lot of sense. But All Star Week is just about over. So I think now the fun begins. And for Trevor Story, a 981 career OPS and Cores 747 OPS on the road. How likely do you guys think it is that he's moved? I don't think it's... It should be 100%.

Yeah, it should be. I don't think it's anywhere close to that, though. I kind of feel like it's less than 50. I kind of feel like it's less than 50-50, to be honest. Hasn't he already said that he's not going to resign in Colorado? I don't recall seeing that, but... Maybe he hasn't blatantly come out and said it, but I feel like there were multiple reports, like, yeah,

he's probably not going to resign. Yeah, I mean, I'd be all over him as a bylaw in fantasy right now, if not for the threat of him being traded away from Colorado. Maybe wait until the first week of August to do that. The one thing I will say in his favor, if he does get traded, is he has run more frequently on the road. For his career, he has 56 steals on the road in 336 games, 41 and 344. At home, which makes sense. He hits a lot better at home.

And so he's on second and third or not on base after he hits a home run a lot more often when he's playing at home. So that's one way in which he could supplement his. value. Obviously, he's got the 747 career OPS on the road. I think generally speaking, you can count on Rockies hitters once they get traded to perform better in their new home than they did on the road because there is the course hangover effect. We've seen it a little bit with Aeronado so far this season. Although that actually hasn't been as pronounced. He's in a bit of a slump, I believe, because he's down to like an 813 OPS. It's been a roller co-servist season for Aronado. He's gone through these stretches where he's looked really hot and then just

cools off. So he's got 17 homers, 56RBI, 265 batting average. I mean, if I was pretty sure coming into the season, I expected something like 275 to 280. And there's still a chance that Aronado can get there. 819 OPS. It's fine. It's, you know, I think it's slightly underwhelming from probably. Well, I think our concerns about Nolan Aronado leaving course field have been substantiated frankly. I think his numbers could get a little better from here, but he's not going to be drafted probably in the first five rounds next year. On the other hand,

he's still pretty much on a 30-homer 100 RBI, 90-80-run pace, which is- Sure, he hasn't cratered. Yeah, that's just not a stud anymore. Yeah, this is pretty close to what I expected. And I kind of chickened out as we got closer to the season and kept moving him up. But I originally had him like 75th overall. I think I did end up moving into like 50th because I started seeing everybody drafting him

at like 38th and getting spooked. I just stuck with my guns. Stick to the guns, Chris. For the Cubs, Craig Kimball, we already talked about. Very likely he could be moved. They're currently eight games out in the National League Central. So we've heard Javier Bayez possibility,

Chris Bryant, both pending free agents there. The Mets have been linked to Chris Bryant thus far. and they have J.D. Davis, who they're getting ready to activate this upcoming weekend. So J.D. Davis is okay, but obviously Chris Bryant would be an upgrade there. Do you think it's very likely that the Cubs just kind of fire sale everyone? Not named Kyle Hendricks, I guess. No. I don't say, I don't think, when's the last time we saw a team do that at the trade deadline?

Just trade everybody. I don't feel like that happens a lot. I don't think they'll trade everyone. Like, I think Rizzo's, they're going to do it. They're going to try really hard to resign Rizzo. But like, if I'm, I think Contreras, okay, Contreras is a free agent at the end of next season. Correct.

And Rizzo, Bryant, Baez are all this season. I wouldn't be surprised if two of three of Kimbril, Baez, and Bryant get moved. I think Brian for sure. I think he's gone, man. Like, they've had such a weird relationship, him and the Cubs. And I mean, Kimbril, anything you can get for a reliever,

obviously. I think Javier Baez is the one that's most likely to stay in Chicago, which is probably good for his fantasy value. He's been there his entire career. For the Minnesota Twins, I mean, they have really cratered here as well there. 15 games, oh my gosh, 15 games out of their division. There are 11 games under 500 the Minnesota Twins are. Nelson Cruz is definitely a possibility.

Some teams I've seen him link to Oakland, Tampa Bay, Seattle. He's been there before, obviously. Josh Donaldson also linked to the Mets. here looking for a third baseman, maybe even Jose Berrios. And look if he goes to the National League, can't hurt, I guess, right? I mean, he gets to face the pitcher, right? It would definitely be a positive for him. Yes.

But if he did, like, I think Toronto and the Yankees could potentially be in on Berrios. And those are not great ballparks to pitch in. So those might actually hurt him if that happened. I mean, he's like every single team should be in on Jose Barrios. Sure. Yeah, I agree. Right. Right.

Yeah. man, the twins got to be the biggest disappointment at baseball this year, right? Yeah, I think that's fair to say. Number one on that list. I saw a graphic, I think, during the All-Star game or the Home Run Derby, that every team that won their division last year,

well, basically every division has changed who is in first place now. Like, they've all, they all have new teams in first place. So it makes baseball fun, right? So year over year, there's a good amount of turnover. For the Texas Rangers, Kyle Gibson, I guess same teams that would be interested in Berrios if they don't want to spend all the way up. They could look into Kyle Gibson. Joey Gallo linked to the Padres and the Yankees, which, look, I don't have to spell it out for you, but short portion right field.

I'm just going to say that prediction now, if Joey Gallo ends up with the Yankees, Yankees fans will despise him. They will hate him so much. And it will be really stupid. Yeah. But they will hate him. How many strikeouts that we get in like that first series that Joey Gallo's in the Yankee Stadium?

Judge Stan and Gallo right in a row? O'Gow right in a row? Oh gosh. There's going to be some important game where they go 0 for 14 with seven strikeouts and Yankees fans are going to want to burn the building down. You're falling. I've got to fall in love with Joey Gallo

if he comes to the Yankees. Lots of strikeouts, three true outcomes, but man, him and Yankee Stadium would be wild. Just quickly here, pirates, Adam Frazier, Richard Rodriguez could be available. Diamondbacks, we've already heard, Eduardo Escobar was linked to the Chicago White Sox,

Cole Calhoun possibility. Cotel Marte, I do wonder, they could probably get a nice haul for him. And then the other Marte for the Miami Marlins, Starling Marte, who is having a very good season. He's about to enter free agency as well, so I think that is a possibility. The report on him was that they made him an offer three years to 30 million, which is laughable. Oh, jeets. Good try. And basically the report, it was from Barry Jackson from Miami Herald, I believe.

And it was basically, if they can't come to an extension with him in season, they will probably trade him. Oh, right. And given that 3.30 was their opening salvo, I'm going to say there's a decent chance Starling-Marty gets traded. So his value could be on the rise because, look, as great as he's been, let's call it for what it is. The Marlin's lineup is not very good. So anywhere else he goes would be better for his fantasy value. So mailbag questions. These come from our Apple podcast ratings and reviews.

We do appreciate everyone who drops a five-star rating. Leave a question in the review. We will answer it on a future podcast. This one's from Hammer and Hank, 12 by 12, head-to-head categories, 10-team league. I need a big upgrade at first base and center field, currently starting Eric Cosmer and a Mede Rosario. I have to imagine there's someone better in a 10-team league on your waiver wire. But I have the best pitching in the league with Corbyn Burns,

Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Lance Lynn, Shane Beaver, Luis Castillo, Lance McCullors, Junchen Ryu, Zach Allen, Ply, Sack, Strasberg, Gilbert, a lot.

Which two or three might you look to trade from that group to upgrade my offense? So there was a lot of names, but feel free to choose a couple. I mean, if you really want to make a big upgrade,

Wheeler would be the guy. I think he might be your best pitcher rest of the season, but I also think Nola, Lynn, Beaver, Burns could all be better than him the rest of the season. I really like Wheeler, but...

Why when did you shot Burns? I have concerns about Burns. I think Burns is better. I don't know, maybe I'm a little out on a limb there, but I do think Burns is still the better pitcher of the two. And Wheeler's been, I mean,

they've both been amazing. I feel like the perception might be a little higher on Wheeler right now, but I don't actually know if that. That's true. I'd probably shot Burns if you were looking for a stud bet because, I mean, I might, between the drop in spin rate and the drop in strikeouts and swinging strike rate that has gone with it, plus the fact he hasn't been treated like a conventional starter since 2017. It's kind of a two-pronged concern there for Corbyn Burns. and, you know, obviously he's pitched like an ace to this point, and you could get a good haul for him.

Yeah, I like that logic there. Corbyn-Burns is one for me. Aranola, I would not try to sell right now because I feel like you would be selling low on him. Lance McCullors is someone who, I believe we spoke about recently, Chris, where the surface numbers, he's got a sub-3 ERA, but the underlying numbers say he's been a little bit lucky. So maybe McCuller is someone you could shop. Riu coming off a very good start, but has been a little bit shaky recently. so maybe he could still get something pretty damn good for Ryu just based on his name value and who he's been. So I think those are the names. I'd be most likely to trade.

From Aini Moke, 92, 12 team head to head points. Great to trade. Flip Trevor Rogers for Joe Musgrove. So we have the concerns for Rogers and his innings. But Joe Musgrove has been a little bit may recently. He's gotten worse every month. Sure has. I think his ERA has gone up at least half.

a run every month actually. Yeah, and not a lot of consistency to pitching deep in games either. So he's gotten worse than every way. I value Rogers more, even though, you know, I have concerns about him holding up in the second half. At best, this trade's a C. I'd probably give it a C minus. Well, how about this, Chris? The ERA for Musgrove has gone up at least a full run every month this season.

1.24 in April, 2.84 in May, 3.81 in June, 5.79. Only 9 innings pitched, but that is in July. From Austin Frankie. Hey, what's up, man? 5x5 Keeper League. What do you think of this offer? Send Trey Turner, Cole Irvin, Mike Mustakis, Abraham Toro. So Turner, Irvin, and blah. Receive Marcus Semyon, Randy Rosa Rana, Edwin Diaz, Cedric Mullins, Trevor Rogers. giving up the... I think the problem here is that three of the best... I mean, three of the five players.

I think there's a pretty even amount of quality across this trade. I think Simeon Mollins and Rogers have probably all seen their best days this season. That's not to say they won't be very good moving forward. But that being said, I mean, you're

really only giving up one thing. You're giving up a top five player. But if you need depth, if you're filling a bunch of lineup holes, if you're going to start all these guys, then I think it's a win. Yeah. I think it's a big win.

I mean, it kind of depends whether it's a 10-team league or a 15-team league. I can't imagine somebody giving up all of that for Turner in a 15-team league. So it's probably a pretty shallow league. But if these are actual upgrades to your lineup, Simeon, Diaz, Mullins, Rogers, and, you know, Arosurana could potentially be as well. Yeah. Then, yeah, I think, I think that's enough bulk for Turner.

All right, last one we're going to hit here. This one's from Wild Wookie. What to get for Freddie Peralta and Trevor Rogers. I have them both and locked into the playoffs. This is a very popular question nowadays. I'm looking to package them for someone that will be able to help me later on in a head-to-head points. What range of pitcher should I be looking for in a two-for-one deal?

So that's a little bit more interesting. I haven't thought about it from that perspective, but I guess if you do have both of these guys in your team, what's realistic? A top 10 guy, like a Bueller, like a Walker Bueller. Walker,

Kevin Gossman, I think that's the range you should be looking at. Zach Wheeler, Lance Lynn. Yeah. Garrett Cole's doable, I think. If you can get Garrett Cole for them. I think that's a huge win. Yeah, I mean, the negative response he's gotten lately, the spin rates being down and everything.

You know, 12 strikeouts and one complete game ago, but you definitely could have done it. Now, I'm not so sure. Yeah. Yeah. Though it was kind of his swinging, because he threw like 120-something pitches. Yeah, but I don't think anybody's thinking about it that way. I think if you held on to Garrett Cole through those like seven bad starts or really it was like three bad starts out of six. you're probably just looking at the 12 strikeouts

in the complete game and saying he's back or at least he's fine. And you should. Probably. You're probably one start too late. I could see that being the case. But it is worth noting. Yeah, 13 swinging strikes on 129 pitches,

basically a 10% swinging strike rate, which is pretty bad. So I don't know. But I still have him as my number two starting pitcher. I know you guys have, or at least Scott, you're lower. than on that, on him than that, right? I think I'm fifth.

So, you know, it's not like... But I think he's certainly the best pitcher in a tier rather than as part of a tier with Jacob de Grombe. Right, yeah, definitely behind Jacob. More like a second rounder in my eyes than a first rounder, I guess. Yeah, I have him fourth overall behind just Scherzer and Woodruff and obviously DeGrom. So I think Woodruff has kind of earned that right at this point.

All right, we're going to wrap there for Scott and Chris. I'm Frank. Thank you all for listening and watching. baseball today. We'll be back again tomorrow. Bye-bye.