With less than a week to go until the MLB trade deadline, this is a great time for fantasy baseball managers to be as active as possible on the waiver wire. There are several potential contributors listed below, but managers should also pay close attention to the news so that they can grab someone who moves into a better role when a real-life deal occurs.
Slade Cecconi, SP, Guardians, 20%
Cecconi may be the latest example in a long line of successful development of pitchers by the Guardians organization. The 26-year-old has been effective since the beginning of June, posting a 3.33 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and a 43:15 K:BB ratio in 54 innings. Those in points leagues will enjoy learning that Cecconi has thrown at least six innings in each of his past four starts. The righty is heading into an appealing two-start week, where he will face the Rockies (28th in runs scored) and Twins (19th in runs scored).
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Griffin Jax, RP, Twins, 22%
Wise managers will ignore the 4.09 ERA that Jax carries right now and instead focus on his outstanding 68:12 K:BB ratio. The right-hander has been plagued by a .376 BABIP, but he remains one of the best relievers in baseball. There are two scenarios at the trade deadline that could instantly turn Jax into a top-15 reliever: He could be traded to a contender that needs a closer, such as the Phillies or Dodgers, or, Twins closer Jhoan Duran could be shipped out of town, leaving Jax to work the ninth inning in Minnesota.
Dylan Lee, RP, Braves, 7%
Amid a disappointing season, the Braves are expected to trade their pending free agents while holding onto those who can help them rebound next year. Raisel Iglesias fits into the former category, and there is a good chance that he spends the stretch run on a different team before heading to the open market. Lee has excellent ratios (2.62 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) and a pair of saves, and he will either own the ninth inning or share it with Pierce Johnson once Iglesias departs.
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Luke Keaschall, 1B/2B/OF, Twins, 27%
Keaschall is someone to stash, as he could be quite valuable after the trade deadline. The youngster is currently wrapping up a rehab assignment, and could return to the team as the starting second baseman if pending free agent Willi Castro is traded next week. Keaschall looked ready for the majors in 26 plate appearances before suffering a forearm fracture, hitting .368 with two strikeouts, five walks and five steals. He also accumulated 19 homers and 40 steals in 153 career minor-league games and could make a big impact in multiple categories down the stretch.
Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays, 38%
I’ve promised myself that I won’t write about Simpson again, so I’ll keep this brief. He’s going to lead the majors in second-half steals, which means that he should be rostered in every roto league. The .308 hitter is also batting leadoff, which will lead to plenty of runs. And he rarely strikes out. He is a better points league option than many managers realize.
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Isaac Collins, OF, Brewers, 4%
Although few fantasy managers have noticed, Collins has been an asset for the Brewers in recent weeks. The 28-year-old has hit .299 with five homers, four steals and an .873 OPS since the beginning of June, becoming a full-time player in the process. Milwaukee has bigger needs than outfield at the trade deadline, which means that Collins could keep his regular role by staying hot. And after compiling 14 homers and 24 steals in 113 games in Triple-A last year, Collins has proven that he has the diverse skill set that roto managers covet.
Mickey Moniak, OF, Rockies, 18%
Sure, it took nine years since he was selected first overall in the 2016 draft, but Moniak is finally in the midst of a career season. The outfielder has reduced his strikeout rate and raised his average exit velocity, which has resulted in an .865 OPS. Granted, he has had most of his success against righties and at Coors Field, but the predictable nature of Moniak’s production makes him easy to stream in leagues with daily transactions. The Rockies are on the road for a week but, beginning on August 1, they will play 14 of 20 games at home.
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Drake Baldwin, C, Braves, 20%
Baldwin has become a full-time player for the Braves, and his role should be even more secure after Marcell Ozuna is traded next week. The catcher is handling a heavy workload by mixing in starts at DH, which has allowed him to accumulate six homers and 26 RBI since the beginning of June. And with a .284 average that is well-supported by a .285 xBA, Baldwin is one of the few catchers who can be an asset in the batting average category.
