Top Fantasy Baseball Beneficiaries of the Trade Deadline

 Top Fantasy Baseball Beneficiaries of the Trade Deadline 

Drew Epstein

8/3/22

Devin Williams, RP-Brewers: 

Devin Williams is one of the elite relief pitchers in baseball. His numbers jump off the page and he’s got one of the best Baseball Savant pages you'll find. With the trade sending Josh Hader to San Diego, he finally has the missing piece to be a perfect fantasy baseball reliever; The closer role. Assuming Williams is indeed slotted into the 9th inning rather than Taylor Rogers, plug him in as an elite fantasy closer day in and day out on a team who will give plenty of save chances. 

Current 2022 Stats: 2-0, 1.59 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 66/19 K/BB Ratio, 6 Saves. 

Felix Bautista, RP-Orioles:

Bautista is in a similar position to Williams in that his closer was also dealt when Jorge Lopez was sent to the Twins. He isn't guaranteed to receive the closer role himself, but he has also been phenomenal this year and is worth a look in fantasy in case he does find himself as the new Baltimore closer. Bautista has been a top strikeout pitcher in baseball this season with the use of his elite fastball which he uses nearly 65% of the time. With his K/BB ratio and low WHIP, Bautista is already a useful pitcher for ratios, but should he add saves to the mix, add him in all leagues. 

Current 2022 Stats: 3-3, 1.65 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 57/14 K/BB Ratio, 3 Saves 

Joey Gallo, OF-Dodgers: 

No way around it, Gallo needed to leave New York. The All-Star talent he possessed in Texas never really carried over into the pinstripes and he was unable to turn it around in an abysmal calendar year as a member of the Yankees. There was speculation from multiple interested teams that a change of scenery could be what the doctor ordered for the slugger, and it was the Dodgers who pulled the trigger on a trade. To be clear, I'm not sure Gallo can revive this season to the point where he's fantasy relevant now, but if he can show some signs the rest of the way in LA, he may be someone to target for power numbers in the coming years. 

Current 2022 Stats: .159/12 HR/24 RBI, .621 OPS

Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF-Blue Jays:

Merrifield has been one of the best in the game at getting base hits for years, despite a down year in 2022. Perhaps a move to Toronto in a hitters ballpark and a stacked lineup will bring the best back out of him. Merrifield will likely be hitting farther down in the lineup on his new team, therefore fewer at-bats, but the increase in runs and RBI opportunities should balance that out. He could become a big-time hitter once again in Toronto. 

Current 2022 Stats: .240/6 HR/ 42 RBI, .642 OPS (15 SB)

Luis Castillo, SP-Mariners:

Soto aside, Castillo was probably the biggest chip moved ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. There is no need to sell you on the pitcher he is, but it is worth mentioning he has been given a team and ballpark upgrade in the deal to Seattle from Cincinnati. After a late start due to injury, Castillo has looked perhaps the best he ever has and looks to be an ace in Seattle on a win-now team desperate to break their twenty-one year playoff drought. 

Current 2022 Stats: 5-4, 2.95 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 98/31 K/BB Ratio