If there were a way to make David Price, who is already one of the best fantasy pitchers, even scarier, the Tigers made that happen Thursday when they pried the left-hander from the Rays as a part of a three-team deal.
How does the move make Price (11-8, 3.11 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 189 strikeouts) even scarier? Here are two big reasons:
1. Before the trade, the Tigers were averaging 4.7 runs per game to the Rays’ 3.9. That should greatly benefit Price’s win total.
2. In five career appearances (three starts) in his new home (Comerica Park), Price is 3-0 with a 2.28 ERA, 22 strikeouts and a 1.14 WHIP.
On top of those two reasons, Price was 6-1 with a 1.64 ERA, .200 opponents batting average and 56 strikeouts over his last seven starts, and he’s now a part of a rotation that already has two other Cy Young winners — Max Scherzer and Roto Files’ first-half anti-Cy Young, Justin Verlander.
As valuable as Price already was, his value went through the roof in this deal. He is slated to make his Tigers debut against the Yankees on Monday (a two-start week for the ace).
Price was just one player moved in several deadline trades. Here’s a look at some other players who have new homes and how the swaps will affect their fantasy value going forward:
The Good
Jon Lester, SP, A’s: Not only does Lester (10-7, 2.52 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 149 strikeouts) get increased run support (Oakland has 535 runs scored to Boston’s 412), he moves to a cavernous, pitcher-friendly stadium.
Roto Files believes the move to the West Coast puts Lester on the cusp of being a Top 10 fantasy pitcher.
Yoenis Cespedes, of, Red Sox: The two-time Home Run Derby champ (.256, 17 homers, 67 RBIs, .767 OPS) should see a boost in his power numbers, as well as batting average, by moving to the smaller, more hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
Huston Street, RP, Angels: Owning Street with the Padres was like winning the lottery. Owning Street with the Angels is like winning the lottery tax-free.
John Lackey, SP, Cardinals: He was having a solid season (11-7, 3.60 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 116 strikeouts) before the trade, and now gets his first taste of the NL with a contender.In 38 interleague appearances (37 starts), the 35-year-old is 18-10 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.
Justin Masterson, SP, Cardinals: His numbers are far from impressive (4-6, 5.51 ERA, 1.65 WHIP) and his health is a question, but moving to a pitcher-friendly park and playing for a contender could be the cure.
Jarred Cosart, SP, Marlins: There’s a lot to like about the 24-year-old (2.6 percent owned), who managed to win nine games with Houston, going to a young team with a fighting chance for the division crown.
Drew Smyly, SP/RP, Rays: Tampa Bay has a good track record with young pitchers (look at Price), so keep an eye on Smyly (48.4 percent owned).
The Bad
Joakim Soria, RP, Tigers: Despite having a better ERA, WHIP and save percentage than closer Joe Nathan, Soria has been rendered as useless as his former team (Rangers). He was the second most dropped player this week.
Joe Kelly, SP, Red Sox: Going from a contender to a last-place team selling anything that moves doesn’t seem like a winning formula to raise fantasy value.
Kendrys Morales, 1B, Mariners: It’s tough to get excited about a guy who was hitting .234 before being traded and .091 since.
The Indifferent
Jake Peavy, SP, Giants: Being back in the NL doesn’t make him a must-own starter. He has one win this season and 10 losses (including one with his new squad).
Stephen Drew, SS, Yankees: After holding out until June, Drew hit .176 over 39 games with Boston. It’s hard to get excited about that.
Allen Craig, 1B/OF, Red Sox: He was an All-Star in 2013, and is owned in just 57 percent of ESPN leagues. He moves to a hitter-friendly park, but only time will tell if that’s the cure to his .237 average (career .291 hitter).
Quick Hits
Toronto’s Marcus Stroman was the most added pitcher this week, and for good reason. Over his last three starts, he is 3-0 with a 0.43 ERA, 20 strikeouts and a .153 oppnents batting average.
He takes the mound on Sunday against Houston and is still available in 28 percent of ESPN leagues…In two starts since collecting a save in a 14-inning game on July 22, Tim Lincecum has gone 0-1 with a 12.91 ERA, .389 opponents bating average and just eight strikeouts. He was the most dropped starter this week…Roto Files’ first-half AL MVP Nelson Cruz has been miserable since the All-Star break, going 5-for-49 (.102) with one homer, one RBI and a .398 OPS. If this type of performance continues, you may have to consider benching him until he finds the elixir he used in the first-half (no, that is not a PED reference).
Fantasy Team Name of the Week: Mama Said Tanaka You Out