We could write a long, flowery intro talking about the how great the trade deadline is … but there were so many deals, it would take up precious space that could be used for fantasy advice. Such as:
Cole Hamels in Globe Life Park would have been a minor downgrade a few years ago (moving from a hitter-friendly park to another hitter-friendly park while having to face the designated hitter), but ever since the Rangers did some reconstruction in a box behind home plate, the jet stream has been different and the park plays a little more neutral.
Though Yoenis Cespedes transforms the Mets lineup and gives the team a sorely needed power punch, he goes from a slightly pitcher-friendly park to one that plays more neutral. The 29-year-old’s steals have come down from where they were in years past (but with fresh legs, he played 150 games last season for the first time in his career and is on pace to hit the mark again this season), Cespedes still has 25-home-run potential and should find plenty of RBI opportunities in the Mets’ lineup.
David Price’s new park is going to be far less forgiving — in fact, it’s probably one of the worst parks for him to call home — but the lefty is familiar with the AL East, he is used to facing a DH, and he will get some games against the Rays, who have scored the fifth-fewest runs in the majors this season, and the Red Sox, a team against which Price has a 3.08 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 23 career starts.
Carlos Gomez sees a net wash in park factor, going from Milwaukee to Houston, but the Astros have scored the fourth-most runs in the majors, while the Brewers scored the 19th-most, meaning the outfielder should see more run-scoring opportunities, upping his fantasy value. Additionally, all eight of Gomez’s 2015 home runs have gone to left field. Minute Maid Park has a significantly shorter left-field distance (315 feet on an uncommonly long line to 362 in left-center) than Miller Park (344 to 370), giving Gomez a far more appealing target.
Mat Latos and Alex Wood, once NL East rivals and now Dodgers teammates, should see an increase in wins. Having a veteran like Clayton Kershaw in the mix to offer tips and bounce ideas off also should give them a tick up with the intangibles.
Daniel Norris is someone you want to add on your fantasy teams. The 22-year-old was MLB.com’s 17th-best prospect coming into this year. After an ugly start to the season with the Jays, Norris continued flailing in the minors, with a 4.27 ERA. But Norris has a ton of strikeout potential (he struck out 163 in 124 ¹/₃ innings in 2014 between two minor league levels) and he should see a benefit from a new home park that is far friendlier to pitchers than the Rodgers Centre.
I’m personally a big fan of Domingo Santana, the 22-year old outfielder traded from the Astros to the Brewers in the Gomez deal on Thursday. Santana has two seasons of 20-plus home runs in the minors (and is on pace for a third), despite getting 450 at-bats just once. He also has a .278 career minor league average — he is hitting .320 this season and finished 2014 with a .296 average — and has upped his OBP significantly this year, sitting at .426 at the time of the trade. Though Santana was initially sent to Milwaukee’s Triple-A affiliate, he likely will be up soon and starting every day, making him a speculative power and average add in 12-team Roto leagues now.
And one last minor note: Keep an eye on Miguel Castro, acquired by the Rockies in the Troy Tulowitzki trade. With the Rockies all but giving up on the season, they may give the 20-year-old hard-thrower a shot at some saves.
For more from Nando Di Fino and the Fantasy Sports Network team, tune into FNTSY on Cablevision Ch. 238. You can also hear Nando on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio’s “RotoExperts” show weekdays from 9-11 a.m.