Jon Heyman, of SI.com, reports the Boston Red Sox acquired catcher Victor Martinez from the Cleveland Indians Friday, July 31, in exchange for pitchers Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price.
Martinez was not acquired for his defense. The Sox figure to use him at first base and designated hitter and perhaps let him share catching duties with Jason Varitek.
Masterson will likely pitch in middle relief with the Indians but could also enter the rotation if needed. Price, 22, profiles as a reliever. Hagadone had Tommy John surgery last season but was considered on the fast track.
There are several notable players who will lose out on playing time with Martinez headed to Boston. Third baseman Mike Lowell (hip) hasn’t been playing much anyway, despite his defensive prowess. The Sox can also put Martinez at first base and slide first baseman Kevin Youkilis to the hot corner.
The BoSox do their shopping at V-Mart
The biggest loser here seems to be David Ortiz, who may see his designated-hitter role change considerably. He is hitting only .228 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs. He was linked to a 2003 positive test for PEDs Thursday, July 30. Varitek could lose out, too, but it wouldn’t make much sense for Boston to sit the general of its pitching staff much.
Recently acquired Casey Kotchman sees his value take the biggest hit, as he goes from a starting first baseman in with Atlanta Braves to a left-handed bat off the bench.
The Indians lost their stud catcher/first baseman, which leaves them with a big void. Catcher Kelly Shoppach’s fantasy value and playing time may see a boost.
Also, the Tribe has two catcher prospects in the minors in Lou Marson and Carlos Santana. Marson came over from the Philadelphia Phillies in the deal that involved starting pitcher Cliff Lee. He hits for average, though, not power; he could be valuable in AL-only leagues and perhaps deep mixed leagues. Santana, one of the best prospects in baseball, is unlikely to be recalled.
SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports the Chicago White Sox acquired starting pitcher Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres Friday, July 31, in exchange for pitchers Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Adam Russell and Dexter Carter.
In the shocker of the day, the White Sox landed Peavy (ankle), who is trying to work his way back from the disabled list. If healthy, he will join starting pitcher Mark Buehrle at the top of the team’s rotation for the remainder of the season. Peavy’s return remains uncertain, and this trade may dampen his fantasy value a little.
Richard has a good shot at entering the Padres’ depleted rotation, which is using relief pitcher Edward Mujica for a start Saturday, Aug. 1. Richard should be considered in deep and NL-only formats.
Poreda pitched in relief in 10 games with the White Sox earlier this year and could also receive a look in the Friars’ rotation, given the fact that they are miles out of contention. Poreda was considered the ChiSox’s top pitching prospect coming into 2009.
Maybe the ChiSox won't treat Peavy so delicately
Carter has really come on this year and is considered a blooming prospect. Russell is massive reliever who has been solid but isn’t considered a high-end commodity.
Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports the Cincinnati Reds have traded third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, pitcher Josh Roenicke and pitcher Zachary Stewart to the Toronto Blue Jays for third baseman Scott Rolen.
The fantasy values of Encarnacion and Rolen are not due for a drastic change. The only difference is that they are a part of new offenses and in new uniforms. Rolen should find it easier to remain healthy since he leaves a team that plays its home games on turf for one that plays its home tilts on grass.
Roenicke could be a future closer but isn’t considered a flashy prospect, while Stewart has come on as a solid starting prospect this season.
Adam Hirshfield, of NESN.com, reports the Atlanta Braves acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Boston Red Sox Friday, July 31, in exchange for first baseman Casey Kotchman.
LaRoche once again finds himself in Atlanta and regains the fantasy value he had when playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this year. He will be the starting first baseman for the Braves instead of the part-timer he was with the Red Sox.
Kotchman becomes a late-inning defensive replacement and pinch hitter in all likelihood. Only deep AL players should hold him.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports the Minnesota Twins acquired shortstop Orlando Cabrera from the Oakland Athletics for shortstop Tyler Ladendorf Friday, July 31.
O-Cab’s minimal fantasy value may receive a slight boost with his move to the Twin Cities. He is expected to slot in the No. 2 position in the batting order, which means he would be hitting ahead of catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau.
Shortstop Nick Punto, who has been unproductive, could be moved over to second base and share time with infielder Brendan Harris. Second baseman Alexi Casilla is likely to be sent back down to Triple-A Rochester.
Shortstop Cliff Pennington has been recalled from the minors and will take over as the Athletics’ new starting shortstop. He will have to prove himself in the last two months of the season to become fantasy relevant beyond deep AL formats. Shortstop Bobby Crosby could share time with Pennington.
Ladendorf was a second-round pick out of college last year and hasn’t advanced beyond the Class A level, although he showed some real pop in rookie ball at the beginning of this season.
Ken Rosenthal, of FOXSports.com, reports the Florida Marlins acquired first baseman Nick Johnson from the Washington Nationals Friday, July 31, in exchange for pitcher Aaron Thompson, according to a major league source. The Nationals will pay the roughly $1.8 million left on Johnson’s contract.
Johnson’s fantasy value does not change all that much with this move. However, it does change the Marlins’ infield a bit. Jorge Cantu is expected to move back to third base. Third baseman Emilio Bonifacio is the loser here, as he will move into a super-utility role.
Thompson is a soft-tossing lefty whose strength is supposed to be his command, although it hasn’t been a plus for him yet.
Mark Sheldon, of MLB.com, reports the New York Yankees acquired infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. from the Cincinnati Reds Friday, July 31, according to the New York Post. The Reds will receive C Richard Weems in return.
Hairston’s role doesn’t change much either, he will likely serve as the Yanks’ utility infielder and outfielder, especially with outfielder Brett Gardner (thumb) on the shelf. Hairston was probably acquired more so because he provides the Bronx Bombers with quality depth in the infield, something they have missed this year.
Weems is a low-level prospect with no immediate relevance.
