Fantasy Baseball 2012: 9 Fantasy Value-Altering Trades

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We're still a few days away from the MLB trade deadline, but there's already been a ton of action.

We've seen plenty of players on the move. Just as these trades alter the MLB's landscape, so do they alter the fantasy landscape.

Mid-season trades can't completely change your team. Will your players play like CC Sabathia in 2008, or Eric Gagne in 2007?

There's no way to tell for sure, but here's my best guess for those who have been moved so far.

Brett Myers

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Status: Traded from Houston Astros to Chicago White Sox

Change: Negative

 

Traded from the 'Stros to the ChiSox, it appears as if Myers will be losing his closing opportunities. Chicago has established closer Addison Reed and there hasn't been any discussions of him losing that role. Unless he moves back to the rotation, it's time to drop Myers.

 

Ichiro Suzuki

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Status: Traded from Seattle Mariners to New York Yankees

Change: Unchanged

 

It's hard to peg how this trade will alter Suzuki's value. He's being used lower in the order—altering his steals value—but he's now part of a much better batting order. I think it's safe to say any decrease in steals should be canceled out by more runs and RBI.

Zack Greinke

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Status: Traded from Milwaukee Brewers to Los Angeles Angels

Change: Positive

 

Greinke's record of 9-3 looks pretty good on a team whose collective record is 45-54, so getting traded to a contender isn't going to provide a ton more wins. However, Greinke is moving to a team that values defense and plays in a pitcher's league as part of a pitcher's division.

His value should only improve.

 

Hanley Ramirez

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Status: Traded from Miami Marlins to Los Angeles Dodgers

Change: Positive

 

Hanley Ramirez is moving from a hitter's park—as far as we can tell—to a pitcher's park. By all signs, his stats should see a decrease.

However, I don't think that will happen. For the first time in his career Han-Ram will be playing for a contender, and I think that will re-spark his overwhelming talent for baseball.

 

Anibal Sanchez

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Status: Traded from Miami Marlins to Detroit Tigers

Change: Positive

 

Sanchez is currently sporting a 3.40 FIP, contrasted by a 3.94 ERA. Going off that, it's hard to figure out how his value will change. His new team fields a worse defense than his old, but he's now in a pitcher's park. Detroit is in contention with a strong offense and power 'pen. That should only help Sanchez's value.

Omar Infante

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Status: Traded from Miami Marlins to Detroit Tigers

Change: Negative

 

Comerica Park helps Anibal Sanchez's value, but it should adversely effect his teammate Infante. He's already slumped through July, and now he's heading to a pitcher's park. If you can sell high on the second baseman, now would be the time.

J.A. Happ

Brad White/Getty Images

Status: Traded from Houston Astros to Toronto Blue Jays

Change: Negative

 

J.A. Happ wasn't overflowing with fantasy value to begin with. Now, he moves to a hitter's park in one of the most dominating offensive divisions in baseball. Yep, that was the sound of his balloon deflating.

Wandy Rodriguez

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Status: Traded from Houston Astros to Pittsburgh Pirates

Change: Positive

 

Rodriguez hasn't moved divisions, so a change in competition isn't helping his fantasy value. But, Pittsburgh is a contender with sound defense and one of baseball's best bullpens—compared to Houston's near MLB worst. It sounds crazy, but Rodriguez being traded to the Pirates should only help fantasy owners.

Cole Hamels

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Status: Not Traded, signed extension with Philadelphia

Change: Unchanged (for now)

 

Hamels has seen up-and-down production through 2012, but you get the feeling not being traded is going to hurt his value. He could have moved to a contender. It'd be easy to find any contender with a better defense and offense than Philadelphia.

For now, Hamels will grind out the rest of 2012.