In the weeks leading up to the July 31 Trade Deadline, contending teams look to fill holes in their rosters - for the short or the long term - and rebuilding teams devise deals to maximize the returns on players nearing the end of their contracts. The following names have been the topic of trade rumors in the past few weeks, and a deadline deal to change their surroundings may be exactly what they need to regain their previous levels of fantasy success.
Matt Garza, Starting Pitcher, Chicago Cubs
The Texas Rangers had their eye on Garza since this time last season, and have finally landed their prize. Returning from a stress fracture in his pitching elbow, Garza’s trade value rose with his 6-1 record and 3.17 earned run average - enough for the Rangers to part with highly-touted third base/outfield prospect Mike Olt, as well as young pitchers C.J. Edwards and Justin Grimm. With the Cubs this season, Garza was the beneficiary of 5.09 runs per game of offensive support, on average, and this number only stands to improve with the offensive prowess of the Texas lineup. Garza comes to the Rangers an established American League pitcher who has allowed only a .241 opponents’ batting average in his career starts at Rangers Ballpark.
Justin Morneau, First Base, Minnesota Twins
Until recently, Morneau’s career path seemed to be (headed for) a tragic saga. Over a four-year span from 2006 to 2009, the first baseman averaged 30 home runs, 118 runs batted in and a .294 batting average. A concussion suffered in a July 7, 2010 collision brought his season to a crashing halt, and symptoms of post-concussion syndrome that lingered well into the following season left fantasy owners wondering if his numbers would ever return to those of his 2006 MVP campaign. Morneau’s 2013 season has been encouraging - as he’s put up a .273 average, seven home runs, 24 doubles and 52 RBI in the middle of the Twins lineup - but he hasn’t been the power and production threat of a top-tier fantasy first baseman. Now 32 years old and with his contract due to expire at the end of the year, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees seem the most likely suitors for Morneau, though a move to Texas - who may be looking to replace designated hitter Lance Berkman in the lineup, may prove more beneficial to his power numbers.
Jake Peavy, Starting Pitcher, Chicago White Sox
With his injury history and years remaining on the aging pitcher’s contract, Peavy would seem a difficult piece to deal, and yet his name continues to appear in trade rumors. The struggling White Sox offense have supported Peavy with an average of 4.33 runs in his starts, and an increase in run support will most certainly boost the righty’s fantasy statistics across the board. Peavy has lost velocity on his pitches to injury and age, and he has become more of a pronounced flyball pitcher in the past three seasons. No longer a threat to strike out over 200 batters, Peavy’s skill set would fit best with a National League team in a pitcher’s park, though an improved offense regardless of location will be the most crucial factor in him becoming a more valuable fantasy starting pitcher.
Chase Utley, Second Base, Philadelphia Phillies
Still a top-tier fantasy second baseman at age 34, Utley’s contract includes a clause that allows him to block trades to 21 of 30 teams. However, with age catching up to the Phillies fast, and seemingly little chance to catch the Braves or compete with the Nationals in the National League East, the 11-year veteran may welcome the opportunity for a change of scenery. Though Utley has not played more than 115 games in a season since 2009, the potential for a 25-home run season still exists, and the likelihood he’ll reach the 100-RBI milestone again depends on where he may or may not end up. A native of Southern California who lives in San Francisco in the offseason, the Oakland Athletics, who have pieced together a second base platoon of Eric Sogard and a combination of Adam Rosales and Grant Green would benefit greatly from his presence in the middle of the lineup every day.
Tim Lincecum, Starting Pitcher, San Francisco Giants
Perhaps the most intriguing name that has been thrown around in recent trade rumors is Lincecum, who just before the All-Star Break, threw a 14-strikeout no-hitter against the San Diego Padres. That July 13th gem required 148 pitches to complete, but the Detroit Tigers have been rumored to foresee Lincecum’s future in far smaller pitch counts. Demoted to the bullpen when the Giants postseason roster was announced, Lincecum experienced a resurgence - in his velocity, control and overall success - out of the bullpen. A 2.55 postseason ERA and 20 strikeouts in 17.2 innings have piqued the Tigers’ interest, especially after realizing closer prospect Bruce Rondon wasn't big league-ready and employing a closer-by-committee solution for much of the season. Lincecum, who has struggled with inconsistency and decreased velocity since Opening Day of last season could turn his future as a fantasy pitcher around if he lands a different role with a new team at the deadline.