The Los Angeles Dodgers have picked up ace starter Rich Hill from the Oakland Athletics in a deal that also sends Josh Reddick to Southern California. It's a major move for the playoff-contending Dodgers, one that will also have a dramatic impact from a fantasy perspective.
With Clayton Kershaw still sidelined to injury, the Dodgers needed to add another arm to the rotation. They get a player in Hill that might have very well been the best option on the trade block.
Hill is pitching to a 2.25 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with nearly 11 strikeouts per nine innings in 14 starts. Hill, 36, has been sidelined for the past two weeks with a blister on his throwing hand. In terms of what he brings to the table from a fantasy perspective, the veteran is going from a pitcher-friendly park in Oakland to an equally pitcher-friendly venue in Los Angeles. He's also been utterly dominating on the road this season, posting a 7-0 record with a 1.41 ERA and 0.96 WHIP while striking out 11.3 batters per nine innings.
Once Hill does return to the bump, he's going to continue being a dominating DFS play in FanDuel contests.
In terms of what's heading to Oakland in the deal, the team got a massive haul for two injury-prone veterans. Looking at it through a fantasy lens, Triple-A starter Jharel Cotton is someone to keep an eye on. The 24-year-old Virgin Island native has struck out 119 batters in 97.1 innings in the minors this season. He figures to join the A's rotation immediately. Keep an eye on him over the next couple weeks to see how he adjusts to the Majors. With his stuff, he could be an under-the-radar DFS play moving forward.