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(*) PT TODAY (AL): Astros land Greinke to boost rotation

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BaseballHQ

Aug 1 2019 12:08am

(*) PT TODAY (AL): Astros land Greinke to boost rotation

BaseballHQ

Aug 1 2019

Team-by-team playing time allocation charts can be found in our Teamview pages.



Astros \| Houston acquires Zack Greinke
Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke was acquired by the Houston Astros Wednesday, July 31, in exchange for RHP Corbin Martin, RHP J.B. Bukauskas, 1B Seth Beer and INF Josh Rojas. Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan

BHQ take: Greinke immediately moves into a HOU rotation that has been wrestling with the No. 4 and No. 5 spots for the last couple of weeks, following injuries to Collin McHugh and Brad Peacock. Now on a better club that wants to keep him ready for the post-season, and with improved bullpen and offensive support, Greinke will lose a tick off his projected IP. But if you're AL only owner, Greinke—2.87 ERA, 7.1 Cmd through 141 IP—is the best player changing leagues today. Though none of the prospects HOU gave up will figure into the equation, there will be a ton of changes to the projected HOU IP and team page over the next couple of days as we get more clarification as to the club's plans and roles. —Jock Thompson

Impact: High
Greinke, Zack	PT Loss: -1%



Indians \| Cleveland lands five in Trevor Bauer deal
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Indians RHP Trevor Bauer was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in a three-team trade involving the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, July 30. The Indians will receive OF Yasiel Puig and minor-league LHP Scott Moss from the Reds as well as OF Franmil Reyes, minor-league INF Victor Nova and LHP Logan Allen from the Padres. San Diego will receive minor-league OF Taylor Trammell. Source: MLB Network - Jon Heyman

BHQ take: The arrival of Puig and Reyes likely relegates LHB Tyler Naquin, who had been platooning in RF, to a reserve role while potentially reducing LHB DH/OF Jake Bauers from virtual everyday regular to a platoon player. Outfielder Greg Allen's roster spot is in jeopardy, as he could return to Triple-A. Puig and Reyes add power to a relatively unproductive CLE OF. Puig is likely to play regularly in RF, while Reyes is likely to be deployed both as a corner OF and as a DH while playing regularly, as Bauers has been. Puig has heated up after a dismal April/May. Reyes has shown elite power despite being contact-challenged. Bauer's rotation replacement will be oft-injured RHP Danny Salazar, returning from two years of assorted arm ailments concluding with arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Salazar is a true wild card, as he struggled with Ctl/Cmd in both 2016 and 2017 when he was last healthy. —Tom Kephart

Impact: High
Bauers, Jake	PT Loss: -5%
Plutko, Adam	PT Loss: -2%
Allen, Greg	PT Loss: -30%
Naquin, Tyler	PT Loss: -50%
Salazar, Danny	PT Gain: 5%
Puig, Yasiel	PT Gain: 85%
Allen, Logan	PT Loss: -3%
Reyes, Franmil



Mariners \| Roenis Elías traded
Seattle Mariners RP Roenis Elías was traded to the Washington Nationals Wednesday, July 31, in exchange for RHP Elvis Alvarado and LHP Taylor Guilbeau, according to a source. Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal

BHQ take: Joining Elias in moving out of town was their other main closing candidate, Hunter Strickland. That leaves a gaping hole in the ninth inning for the Mariners. And though we don't have official confirmation at this writing, most SEA observers expect journeyman Anthony Bass to take the role for now (we'll update as we get more info). Bass has been a startling revelation for the SEA bullpen. The 31-year-old, signed by SEA in May after being released by CIN, has put up a scintillating 193 BPV over the last two months with a 2.65 xERA and a 7.0 Cmd ratio. Bass' history says he's very unlikely to keep up his recent sizzling pace, but given that his streak has been fully skills supported ... well, stranger things have happened. —Rod Truesdell

Impact: Med
Grotz, Zac	PT Gain: 1%
Guilbeau, Taylor	PT Gain: 1%
Bass, Anthony	PT Gain: 2% SV Gain: 50%



Athletics \| Tanner Roark acquired by OAK
Cincinnati Reds RHP Tanner Roark was acquired by the Oakland Athletics Wednesday, July 31, in exchange for OF Jameson Hannah. The Athletics will also receive cash considerations in the trade. Source: MLBRosterMoves

BHQ take: Roark has been a mediocre starter for several seasons, but this trade is a healthy boost for his fantalytic value. Roark moves to a solid OAK club and-perhaps more importantly, given his tendency for flyballs—a far more pitcher-friendly home park. OAK is expected to ship out Daniel Mengden to make room for Roark on the active roster, and it may also mean fewer innings for Chris Bassitt. Plus, it takes the pressure off to rush back rehabbing starters Sean Manaea, Marco Estrada and SP prospect Jesús Luzardo. —Rod Truesdell

Impact: High
Luzardo, Jesus	PT Loss: -3%
Mengden, Daniel	PT Loss: -5%
Bassitt, Chris	PT Loss: -2%
Roark, Tanner	PT Gain: 6%
Estrada, Marco	PT Loss: -2%



Yankees \| Luke Voit to IL
New York Yankees 1B Luke Voit (abdomen) was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a sports hernia Wednesday, July 31. Source: MLB.com

BHQ take: A decision will be made in the next few days whether Voit will undergo surgery for the hernia repair, and if that is the selected path, additional playing time adjustments may be needed. For now, DJ LeMahieu (groin tightness) is expected to be back in the lineup on Friday, Aug. 2, and will pick up most of Voit's vacated time at 1B. That enhances Giovanny Urshela's playing time at 3B, with Breyvic Valera recalled to provide utility coverage off the bench. Urshela is in the midst of the best season of his four-year MLB career, with big steps up in HctX and hr/f driving an xPx spike, to go along with a little h% luck. —Matt Dodge

Impact: High
Valera, Breyvic	PT Gain: 10%
Voit, Luke	PT Loss: -40%
Urshela, Giovanny	PT Gain: 30%
LeMahieu, DJ



Athletics \| Two placed on IL
Oakland Athletics OF Ramón Laureano (leg) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, July 31, because of a lower leg stress fracture. The team also placed C Josh Phegley (thumb) on the 10-day injured list because of a right thumb contusion. Source: MLBRosterMoves

BHQ take: OAK has already said that the previously red-hot Laureano will need more than the 10 days to heal; it'll probably be September before he's able to return. Mark Canha takes over everyday CF duties, with Nick Martini coming up to take Laureano's roster spot. Though he's been quite streaky, overall, Canha is putting up a career year. Notably, Canha has practically doubled his previous career walk rate (14% BB%). A PX/xPX discrepancy (141/89) suggests his 17 HR (on July 31) may be a bit over his head, but he's also suffered from an unusually low 25% hit rate, so his sub-.250 BA has some growth room. All-in-all, Canha should continue to provide value. On the catching side, Chris Herrmann and recalled Beau Taylor will fill in. Neither projects as better than replacement level. —Rod Truesdell

Impact: Med
Canha, Mark	PT Gain: 20%
Phegley, Joshua	PT Loss: -10%
Taylor, Beau	PT Gain: 5%
Laureano, Ramon	PT Loss: -35%
Martini, Nick	PT Gain: 15%
Herrmann, Chris	PT Gain: 5%



Mariners \| Seattle trades Mike Leake
Seattle Mariners RHP Mike Leake was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday, July 31, in exchange for INF José Caballero. The Diamondbacks will also receive cash considerations in the trade. Source: MLBRosterMoves

BHQ take: The SEA IP leader departs town, leaving lots of innings to fill. Though they aren't coming up right now, SEA GM Jerry DiPoto has already said that prospects Justus Sheffield and Justin Dunn will both be joining the team, at least by September. Sheffield likely arrives sooner, and the 23-year-old should get plenty of chances to prove he belongs in the majors. Sheffield was hit around in Triple-A to the tune of a 6.87 ERA, but he's dominated since returning to Double-A Arkansas (1.69 ERA), and he's harnessed the walk problems that plagued him in Tacoma. Sheffield remains a keeper-league target. Dunn's upside is lower than Sheffield's, but he's pitched well in Double-A as well, posting a 10.7/2.8 K/BB ratio. —Rod Truesdell

Impact: High
Dunn, Justin	PT Gain: 4%
Sheffield, Justus	PT Gain: 5%
LeBlanc, Wade	PT Gain: 4%
Milone, Tommy	PT Gain: 2%



Blue Jays \| Toronto trades three to Houston
Toronto Blue Jays RHP Aaron Sanchez, RP Joseph Biagini and OF Cal Stevenson were traded to the Houston Astros Wednesday, July 31, in exchange for OF Derek Fisher. Source: MLBRosterMoves

BHQ take: Fisher was in Triple-A at the time of the trade, and it is not clear as of this writing whether he will report to the big club or to AAA-Buffalo. His top prospect pedigree didn't shine very brightly in Houston, where his MLB 60% ct% made it difficult to show off his 173 Spd rating. He is only 25 years old, and could find more AB on the rebuilding Blue Jays than he would have with the Astros. Biagini's departure appears to have elevated Justin Shafer to the top setup man position, and he picked up a save on July 31 while closer Ken Giles is day-to-day with a sore right elbow. The other names listed below are the de facto Blue Jay rotation at the moment, after the trades of Sanchez and Marcus Stroman, pending any other callups. —Matt Dodge

Impact: High
Pannone, Thomas	PT Gain: 5%
Reid-Foley, Sean	PT Gain: 2%
Fisher, Derek
Waguespack, Jacob	PT Gain: 2%
Thornton, Trent	PT Gain: 4%
Shafer, Justin	PT Gain: 1% SV Gain: 15%



Astros \| Aaron Sanchez, Joe Biagini to HOU
Toronto Blue Jays RHP Aaron Sanchez, RP Joseph Biagini and OF Cal Stevenson were acquired by the Houston Astros Wednesday, July 31, in exchange for OF Derek Fisher. Source: MLBRosterMoves

BHQ take: Not much certainty yet with these PT% adjustments moving from TOR to HOU. But particularly with the acquisition of Zack Greinke, there's talk of the Astros using Sanchez in a multi-inning relief role vs. the rotation, and keeping José Urquidy in the No. 5 spot. Sanchez has long struggled with finger blisters, IL stints and control issues, the latter noted by his current 4.7 Ctl and 6.07 ERA through 113 IP this year. But Sanchez has looked dominating over his last two starts (16/0 K/BB over 10.2 IP), and some feel his power stuff may play up out of the pen as multi-inning reliever. Biagini has posted a 3.86 ERA and 2.9 Cmd through 49 IP, but he's struggled in July (5.25 ERA over 12 IP), and now moves to lesser role in a better pen. The projected HOU IP are oversubscribed today, but we'll update over the next day or two as the dust settles. —Jock Thompson

Impact: High
Biagini, Joe	PT Loss: -2% SV Loss: -5%
Sanchez, Aaron	PT Loss: -3% SV Gain: 5%



Rays \| Trevor Richards, Nick Anderson added to Rays
Miami Marlins RHPs Trevor Richards and Nick Anderson were acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 31, in exchange for OF Jesus X. Sanchez and RP Ryne Stanek. Source: MLBRosterMoves

BHQ take: Richards was recently moved to the bullpen in Miami after losing seven of his last eight starts, thanks to the dangerous combination of walking more batters and giving up more homers. However, he is expected to step right into Blake Snell's rotation spot, while Snell recovers from arthroscopic elbow surgery. Fantasy owners would be wise to check the Daily Matchups page, as Richards begins to make acquaintance with those homer-friendly AL-East ballparks. Anderson is expected to be another late-inning option for the Rays, possibly getting a share of the saves allocation. He's been especially effective since June 1: 29 K/4 BB in 21 innings. —Matt Dodge

Impact: Med
Anderson, Nick	PT Loss: -1% SV Loss: -20%
Richards, Trevor	PT Loss: -2%
Pagan, Emilio	PT Loss: -1% SV Loss: -20%



Tigers \| Christin Stewart out of commission
Detroit Tigers OF Christin Stewart (concussion) was placed on the seven-day concussion list Tuesday, July 30. The Tigers also recalled OF Victor Reyes from Class AAA Toledo. Source: 1 No Source

BHQ take: Reyes figured to get an opportunity with the trade of RF Nick Castellanos, with Stewart's move to the IL thrusting Reyes into the lineup. In a small sample in his previous 2019 stints with DET, Reyes has shown considerably improved bb% and Eye over his 2018 rookie season when as a Rule 5 draftee, he spent the entire season with DET, despite being seemingly overmatched. Reyes showed a line drive stroke in 2018, which he has sustained in 2019. —Tom Kephart

Impact: High
Reyes, Victor	PT Gain: 20%
Stewart, Christin	PT Loss: -5%



Angels \| Jonathan Lucroy ready to play
Los Angeles Angels C Jonathan Lucroy (concussion, nose) was activated from the seven-day injured list Wednesday, July 31. The team also designated C Dustin Garneau for assignment. Source: MLBRosterMoves

BHQ take: Lucroy returns to his role as lead catcher, and, at least for now, Kevan Smith retains his backup role. The Angels also acquired out-of-options Max Stassi from HOU, suggesting that another move is coming. Stay tuned. —Jock Thompson

Impact: Low
Garneau, Dustin	PT Loss: -15%
Smith, Kevan
Stassi, Max	PT Gain: 5%
Lucroy, Jonathan	PT Gain: 10%



Blue Jays \| Ryan Borucki placed on IL
Toronto Blue Jays LHP Ryan Borucki (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, July 31, because of left elbow inflammation. The team also selected the contract of RP Buddy Boshers from Class AAA Buffalo. Source: MLBRosterMoves

BHQ take: And the hits just keep on coming for the Toronto pitching staff. Borucki began the 2019 season on the IL with the same elbow inflammation, came off the IL to start on July 22 and July 27, and heads back to the IL again. Boshers was last seen in the majors in 2017 with MIN, and had thrown 35 relief innings with a 9.7 Dom, 2.5 Cmd at AAA-Buffalo before the recall. Brock Stewart was a July 31 waiver claim from LA, and was sent to AAA-Buffalo, but could reappear in the majors to help consume innings for the TOR staff as a spot starter, swingman, or bulk reliever in the near future. —Matt Dodge

Impact: Low
Borucki, Ryan	PT Loss: -2%
Stewart, Brock	PT Gain: 1%
Boshers, Jeffrey	PT Gain: 2%



Yankees \| David Hale to IL
New York Yankees RHP David Hale (back) was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a lumbar spine strain Wednesday, July 31. RHP Jonathan Holder and INF Breyvic Valera were recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre. Source: MLB.com

BHQ take: Hale has been an unsung hero in the Yankee bullpen, averaging 2 innings per appearance with a sub-3.00 ERA. A prototypical low-Dom, high-Cmd pitcher, he gets little fantasy love with the lack of strikeouts, but he keeps the ball on the ground and in the ballpark. Holder was farmed out after a disastrous June 24 outing, and appears to have righted the ship in Triple-A (15 K/2 BB in 12.1 IP) to earn another shot. —Matt Dodge

Impact: Low
Holder, Jonathan	PT Gain: 1%
Hale, David	PT Loss: -2%



Rangers \| Kolby Allard headed to Texas
Texas Rangers RP Chris Martin was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for LHP Kolby Allard on Tuesday, July 30. Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal

BHQ take: Martin's departure opens up some relief innings and hold chances in TEX. Lefty Brett Martin is likely to soak up some of each of those, with Martin and José Leclerc potentially getting a few more save opps as well while closer Shawn Kelley is on the IL. Martin's nearly-5 ERA (as of July 31) is belied somewhat by a 3.79 xERA and solid 123 BPV. His Dom rate has spiked noticeably over the last couple of months, fanning over a batter per inning over that time. Allard, meanwhile, goes to Triple-A Nashville, but expect him to get a call in September at the latest. The former first-round pick isn't, perhaps, rated as highly as we was a year ago, as he's plateaued somewhat in the minors, but he gets groundballs and has that past pedigree. A change of scenery could help as well. Keep an eye on Allard. —Rod Truesdell

Impact: Low
Leclerc, Jose	SV Gain: 10%
St. John, Locke	PT Gain: 1%
Martin, Brett	PT Gain: 2% SV Gain: 5%
Allard, Kolby	PT Gain: 2%



Rays \| Jesús Aguilar headed to Rays
Milwaukee Brewers 1B Jesús Aguilar was acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 31, in exchange for RHP Jake Faria. Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan

BHQ take: The RH-batting Aguilar does show a 124-point OPS advantage against LH pitchers in 2019, but a look at his career splits indicates he does equal damage against pitchers whether they are right-handed (.810 OPS) or left-handed (.807 OPS). The question for the Rays is whether they can find enough AB for their other first basemen (Nathaniel Lowe, Ji-Man Choi and moonlighting catcher Travis D'Arnaud). It could be a Lowe demotion (he still has options, and has seen a little less playing time over the past week or so), or some other move. Further adjustments could be forthcoming, so watch this space for updates. —Matt Dodge

Impact: Med
Aguilar, Jesus
Choi, Ji-Man	PT Loss: -5%
D Arnaud, Travis	PT Loss: -10%
Lowe, Nathaniel	PT Loss: -5%



Tigers \| Shane Greene traded
Detroit Tigers RP Shane Greene was traded to the Atlanta Braves Wednesday, July 31, in exchange for LHP Joey Wentz and OF Travis Demeritte. Source: MLBRosterMoves

BHQ take: Setup reliever RHP Joe Jiménez is likely to become DET's closer with Greene's departure. Jimenez has shown closer-worthy skills, with a 141 BPV despite a 5.05 ERA. His underlying indicators and sub-4.00 xERA offer reason for optimism. Jimenez has a 16% SwK, providing full support for his 12.7 Dom, and his 66% FpK suggests his 3.5 Ctl could improve. Flyballer Jimenez has been stung frequently by the longball, with his 2.0 HR/9 proving costly. —Tom Kephart

Impact: High
Jimenez, Joe

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Playing Time Key

The playing time percentage changes at the bottom of most news items correspond to BaseballHQ.com's Teamview pages. The percentages approximate changes in AB, IP and Saves in the following manner:

For batters, each 5% of PT% ~ 31 AB (100% total for each position = 618 AB)
For pitchers, each 3% of PT% ~ 44 IP (100% total for a team's entire pitching staff)
For relievers, each 5% of Svs ~ 2 saves (100% of a team's total = about 40 saves)

A complete explanation of BaseballHQ.com's playing time allocations can be found in the article "How the Projections are Created."