Pirates and Tigers Add Arms
Trade Deadline Deals Part 2
This past Monday the Miami Marlins sent two of their more productive players to the Detroit Tigers for 3 prospects. The two teams also swapped competitive lottery draft picks. The Tigers acquired second baseman Omar Infante and pitcher Anibal Sanchez. I love both of these players and with the move I think they are now must adds in your fantasy leagues. The Marlins hauled in RHP Jacob Turner, LHP Brian Flynn and catcher Rob Brantly.
Infante will hit second in the Tigers lineup against lefties and ninth against right handers. To this point Infante has 8 long balls and 10 steals to go along with his .284 average. Infante played his first 6 seasons with the Tigers so the change in scenery ideally would benefit him. His best season as a pro came in Detroit back in 2004. That year he hit 16 home runs, had 13 steals (both career highs) and a .264 average. Since then Infante has become more of a plus average hitter and less of a power guy. With roughly 60 games left in the season Infante will be a trendy pickup. I see him as a fantasy player with little downfall, you know what you're going to get from the 30 year old Venezuelan veteran. I wouldn't spend a lot to get him but if he is on the waiver wire I'd give him a look at my 2B/SS spot.
As for Anibal Sanchez, this move should benefit him tremendously. The Marlins are currently 28th in runs scored, 25th in batting average, 24th in on base percentage and 22nd in slugging. Sanchez, like the rest of the Marlins staff, received little to no run support all year. The Tigers rank 10th in runs scored, 5th in batting average, 4th in on base percentage and 10th in slugging, all substantially better than what he had in Little Havana. Sanchez has the make up of a 15 game winner but with only 5 wins to this point and roughly 12 starts left, a reasonably win total for the 28 year old should be between 10-12 at season's end. With his strikeout potential, Sanchez is a must own.
Infante will hit second in the Tigers lineup against lefties and ninth against right handers. To this point Infante has 8 long balls and 10 steals to go along with his .284 average. Infante played his first 6 seasons with the Tigers so the change in scenery ideally would benefit him. His best season as a pro came in Detroit back in 2004. That year he hit 16 home runs, had 13 steals (both career highs) and a .264 average. Since then Infante has become more of a plus average hitter and less of a power guy. With roughly 60 games left in the season Infante will be a trendy pickup. I see him as a fantasy player with little downfall, you know what you're going to get from the 30 year old Venezuelan veteran. I wouldn't spend a lot to get him but if he is on the waiver wire I'd give him a look at my 2B/SS spot.
As for Anibal Sanchez, this move should benefit him tremendously. The Marlins are currently 28th in runs scored, 25th in batting average, 24th in on base percentage and 22nd in slugging. Sanchez, like the rest of the Marlins staff, received little to no run support all year. The Tigers rank 10th in runs scored, 5th in batting average, 4th in on base percentage and 10th in slugging, all substantially better than what he had in Little Havana. Sanchez has the make up of a 15 game winner but with only 5 wins to this point and roughly 12 starts left, a reasonably win total for the 28 year old should be between 10-12 at season's end. With his strikeout potential, Sanchez is a must own.
The Marlins received the Tigers top pitching prospect Jacob Turner. I've always been a Turner fan but this move may not benefit him the way others may think it will. He has been optioned to Triple A and since the "Fire Sale" has already begun, there will be no rush to bring him back to the Bigs this year. Long term Turner will benefit from the huge ball park but for the rest of this season, he has virtually no value. If you're a keeper league owner don't sell low on him, I see him profiling as a top of the rotation guy with a mid-to-upper 90's sinking fastball that he will use early and often to get even the best hitters out. In 6 career Major League starts (3 in 2011 and 3 this year) Turner has allowed 34 hits in 25 innings. Those numbers may scare you away but keep in mind he's excelled to the top of the minors very quickly and at age 21 he may have the brightest future of all the Marlins prospects. |  Turner was the Tigers top pitching prospect |
Brian Flynn and Rob Brantly were also picked up in the trade by the Marlins. Brantly had a good showing in the Futures game a few weeks back, with a big hit late in the game. He also threw out a runner trying to steal second, showing off his nice arm. Brantly is a bat-first catcher with improving defensive skills who will eventually take over for John Buck and Brett Hayes as the everyday backstop in South Beach. My Estimated Time of Arrival is July 2013. Flynn is a 6' 8" lefty with a plus fastball. The South Paw was used as a starter in the Tigers farm system but only time will tell if the Marlins have the same intentions.
Wandy to the Pirates
For the first time in his 8 year career Wandy Rodriguez will be sporting a new uniform. The 33 year old lefty was sent to the Pirates on July 24th, for LHP Rudy Owens, LHP Colton Cain and outfielder Robbie Grossman. Wandy was essentially the cheapest starter on the market that had a viable track record. His 80 career wins is impressive considering how bad the Astros have been over the past few years. Wandy will fit in nicely with the other veteran starters in that Pirates rotation (Burnett and Bedard are 35 and 33 respectively). He will more than likely start this Saturday against the Astros so if he is available in your league go ahead and spot start him. |  Wandy Rodriguez was a fixture in the Astros rotation for 8 seasons but his departure is key to the rebuilding process for Astros GM Jeff Luhnow |
If he develops, Rudy Owens should turn out to be a decent back of the rotation starter. He is a crafty lefty with good off speed stuff, once he masters the art of pitching he may hold some value. Colton Cain was drafted out of High School in 2009 and is a high velocity lefty who needs work on his secondary pitches. The most impressive player in the deal may be Robbie Grossman who was the Pirates Minor League Player of the Year last year. Right now Grossman is probably the 4th or 5th best outfielder in the Astros deep farm system.
The Wandy trade was made to help improve the Astros organizational depth. Looking at Houston's current 25 man roster, five of them are under the age of 29 and all but one are under the age of 32. Francisco Cordero is the oldest player on the team now at age 37. "CoCo" Cordero has already blown his first two save chances with the club since being acquired less than one week ago. The Astros have some nice pieces in place but are still 3 or 4 years away from being a legitimate contender. Keep in mind the team will switch leagues next year and play in the American League West.
If you have any questions about these moves or want to give your opinion, find me on Twitter @Awies28
Alex Wiesner
July 26th, 2012
Alex's Archives
The Wandy trade was made to help improve the Astros organizational depth. Looking at Houston's current 25 man roster, five of them are under the age of 29 and all but one are under the age of 32. Francisco Cordero is the oldest player on the team now at age 37. "CoCo" Cordero has already blown his first two save chances with the club since being acquired less than one week ago. The Astros have some nice pieces in place but are still 3 or 4 years away from being a legitimate contender. Keep in mind the team will switch leagues next year and play in the American League West.
If you have any questions about these moves or want to give your opinion, find me on Twitter @Awies28
Alex Wiesner
July 26th, 2012
Alex's Archives
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