Fallout from the annual MLB commerce deadline does not solely influence the big-name gamers who change groups.
On account of the flurry of last-minute trades which might be made yearly, many roles on groups throughout the league are usually affected — and infrequently considerably. New names are granted bigger alternatives, nearer roles confide in a bigger area of rivals, and different established gamers are sometimes pushed into extra outstanding roles.
The ultimate two days — actually, the ultimate 31 hours alone — main as much as this previous Thursday’s trade deadline noticed a whopping 50 trades, which means a heck of a whole lot of fallout for us fantasy baseball managers establishing our lineups for the week ahead. Happily, the three days’ value of weekend motion started to present us a glimpse into how gamers are settling into their new groups.
As you contemplate your pickups for the week, check out the next gamers, all of whom have seen a major rise in fantasy inventory on account of the deadline offers:
Tyler Locklear, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks (out there in 99.1% of ESPN leagues): A participant who was traded, however was removed from essentially the most outstanding title in his deal — he was the important thing ingredient within the Diamondbacks’ return for Eugenio Suarez — Locklear has a golden alternative forward, filling in day-after-day at first base whereas Pavin Smith nurses an indirect damage. Smith, nevertheless, can determine into the group’s DH combine when wholesome, so there’s an actual probability that the rookie would possibly discover himself as a starter even after that time.
Locklear reveals a affected person method on the plate, posting 10.8% stroll and 28.0% chase charges whereas with the Seattle Mariners‘ Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma. He additionally has first rate pop, as he has homered 29 occasions with .202 remoted energy in 168 video games for Tacoma throughout the previous two seasons. The transfer to Arizona’s Chase Area ought to assist increase his prospects within the latter division. He slotted in because the Diamondbacks’ No. 6 hitter in his first two begins for them, which is a outstanding sufficient function for fantasy relevance. Add him in all NL-only and deep-mixed (15-plus groups) leagues, and bear in mind that he is already properly on the radar in 12-team blended codecs.
Randy Rodriguez, RP, San Francisco Giants (out there in 84.2%): The reliever who maybe most benefited on account of the gamers traded away by his group, Rodriguez seems most suited to inherit the nearer function for the Giants following the commerce of Camilo Doval. Rodriguez was a Nationwide League All-Star because of his breakthrough efficiency this season, which has seen him rating the Twenty fourth-most fantasy factors amongst full-time aid pitchers and he notched the group’s first save following the deadline on Friday.
Rodriguez has made large strides by ditching his ineffective sinker and changeup this season, and Statcast displays his large potential together with his sixth-ranked anticipated ERA (2.33) amongst certified relievers. Rodriguez is the neatest stash of this quintet for ESPN normal leagues, and he is a must-add in all the things deeper.
Jakob Marsee, OF, Miami Marlins (out there in 99.1%): Jesus Sanchez‘s commerce to the Houston Astros freed up an outfield spot for the Marlins, which they used to advertise Marsee — a participant they acquired from the San Diego Padres in 2024’s Luis Arraez deal. Marsee made a direct influence, reaching base 4 occasions (together with three walks), each feats setting franchise data for a debut. He additionally grew to become solely the second participant throughout the trendy period (1901 ahead) to register a double and three walks in his debut (Ray Morehart, 1924).
All of this underscores his eager eye and affected person method on the plate, as he has walked in not less than 15% of his plate appearances in every of his 4 skilled seasons. He additionally has elite velocity, which has seen him steal not less than 46 bases in every of the previous three. In any rotisserie league, Marsee ought to be considered one of your prime pickups for the week forward.
JoJo Romero, RP, St. Louis Cardinals (out there in 96.2%): For the second time in three seasons, Romero is getting an opportunity to shut for the Cardinals after their commerce of the incumbent. In 2023, that was Jordan Hicks, after which level Romero went 3-for-3 in changing his save possibilities with a 2.70 ERA earlier than finally battling a knee damage.
This time, it is Ryan Helsley, Romero’s 2023 successor, who was moved. Nevertheless, in 2025, Romero has been pitching at a better stage than the final time he obtained the expanded alternative. Romero’s 58% floor ball charge locations within the 96th percentile, and his 28% whiff ranks within the 71st percentile. He notched his first save of 2025 on Saturday and is “the Cardinals reliever so as to add” in each league deeper than ESPN normal.
Dennis Santana, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates (out there in 93.8%): Forgive him for his hideous, five-run loss on Friday, within the Pirates’ first sport since buying and selling nearer David Bednar. That contest was performed at Colorado’s Coors Area, essentially the most unforgiving setting in baseball and, in Santana’s protection, he pitched an efficient ninth inning within the group’s subsequent 9-5 victory there on Sunday.
General, Santana has loved a extremely productive season, his breakthrough largely attributed to better utilization and command of his slider, which he has thrown 48% of the time and is answerable for 28 of his 39 Ok’s. He additionally did a wonderful job filling in for Bednar throughout the latter’s April demotion to the minors, changing all 5 of his save possibilities with six holds and a 1.57 ERA in 23 appearances between April and Might. Santana, like Romero, is well worth the add in any league bigger than our normal providing.
Different gamers to think about in ESPN normal leagues
Ramon Laureano, OF, San Diego Padres (out there in 81.9%): We listing him right here (moderately than above) as a result of he was a outstanding title who was traded, however Laureano’s early returns in San Diego are extraordinarily encouraging. He began all three of their weekend video games towards the Cardinals, beginning because the No. 6 hitter towards lefty Matthew Liberatore and No. 7 towards the next two righty starters, going a mixed 3-for-12 with a triple and a house run within the collection. If that is a sign that he’ll retain the on a regular basis function he beforehand had with the Baltimore Orioles, from which he batted .328/.393/.557 with 10 residence runs whereas taking part in in 51 of his ultimate 67 group video games for them, Laureano will have an effect in any fantasy format these ultimate two months.
Warming Bernabel, 3B, Colorado Rockies (out there in 87.8%): Recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque following Ryan McMahon‘s commerce to the New York Yankees, Bernabel has performed each inning of the Rockies’ previous eight video games, batting .438/.455/.906 with three residence runs within the course of (together with 4 multihit video games). Take into account, too, that solely three of these video games had been performed at Coors Area, which has the park elements most propping Bernabel up as a common fantasy add. He is a free swinger, by no means strolling in better than 7.6% of his journeys to the plate in any of six skilled seasons, however he is succesful sufficient at making contact and squaring up the ball to learn from Coors’ advantageous setting.