Fantasy Baseball News: Trade Analysis and Key Injury Updates

It was an eventful weekend in the MLB, and we have a few things worth discussing today.

Let's go over a notable trade, and some injury news.

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Red Sox, Nationals Trade

Boston sent away starting pitcher Connelly Early, getting Washington's Curtis Mead in return.

Early is just 24 years old and has had some nice success over 21 big league starts the past two years. He's 8-7 with a 3.24 earned run average, striking out 122 batters over 111 innings.

Mead is enjoying a breakout season, hitting .254 and getting on base at a .352 clip over 87 games and 327 plate appearances so far. The 25-year-old has 17 doubles and homers, plus a triple, among his 72 total hits, and has added 48 RBIs, 49 runs scored, 39 walks, six stolen bases and 62 strikeouts. He has played first, second and third base this season.

I really like Early and his long-term outlook, so this is a big get for Washington. He'll slot into the team's starting rotation, but have a bit lower fantasy outlook with his new squad. 

He is rostered in 55% of fantasy baseball leagues right now. Early would be even more owned if he wasn't on the 15-day injured list right now. He has left elbow inflammation, but is expecting to start making rehab starts early in August.

Be watching his status and add him in more leagues as he nears a return to the big league mound. I like his long-term outlook even more, so he's one to keep expecting big things out of in dynasty/keeper leagues.

As for Mead, I'd expect him starting daily somewhere in the infield. Boston has Willson Contreras at first base, but he could be moved to designated hitter, where Masataka Yoshida has been getting the most starts of late.

The second base slot could be where Mead fits in. Anthony Seigler and Romy Gonzalez have been splitting time there. Caleb Durbin has been the daily third baseman, but could also slide to shortstop or second base.

Andruw Monasterio is the team's shortstop most days right now. That could change when/if Trevor Story ever comes back.

I don't think Boston would give up a young starting pitcher to get an infielder who wouldn't be playing daily though. Expect Boston to get Mead into the lineup regularly, so his fantasy outlook should be pretty strong.

Mead is at 66% rostered right now. It will grow if he plays daily and keeps producing for Boston, which has been hot of late. Adding Mead shows the team is going to push for a postseason spot this year, but losing Early could hurt more in the long run.

Soto Injured

Juan Soto hit the injured list with a Grade 2 left calf strain - he's expected to miss “significant” time, which is never a good sign. With the Mets struggling, expect the team to play things really safely with Soto, so there's a chance he's out far, far longer than 10 days.

In 84 games and over 359 plate appearances this season, Soto has a .283 average and .408 OBP. He has 21 homers, eight doubles and two triples among his 83 total hits, plus 52 RBIs, 46 runs scored, 63 walks, seven stolen bases and only 48 strikeouts.

Losing him is a massive blow to fantasy owners, and he's likely to go down as a draft bust because of all his missed games this season. It opens a starting spot in the outfield for the Mets, so we'll see if anyone can take advantage of the extra playing time available.

Soto isn't droppable yet, but if he's out for most/all of August and you need an IR spot, he could eventually be dropped. Keep close tabs on Soto.

Edwin Diaz Update

On a more positive note, Los Angeles Dodgers' Diaz is expected to be activated on July 29. He's been out for a few months with loose bodies in his right elbow.

The closer has only pitched in seven games this season. He had four saves and a win in those appearances, but also allowed seven runs on nine hits and five walks, while striking out 10.

Now that he's healthy, expect Diaz to settle in and lower that ERA (10.50) a bunch. He'll be the team's closer, and being the best team in baseball, he'll be an elite fantasy reliever again - add him today if you can.

Tanner Scott has been the primary closer with Diaz out, so he'll become droppable in standard fantasy leagues when Diaz is activated. Scott could still be a deep-league fantasy asset if he's pitching well enough, so don't drop him in all leagues. 

Bellinger the Latest Yankee on IL

Cody Bellinger is on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. He was already testing things out the same day he was put on the IL, so I don't see this as a long-term injury.

He has a .259 average and .350 OBP over 102 games and 424 plate appearances, so his absence will hurt fantasy owners and the Yankees' offense some more. Belli has 97 total hits, including 11 homers, 21 doubles and three triples, plus 53 RBIs, 52 runs scored, 10 stolen bases, 55 walks and 70 strikeouts.

The outfielder and first baseman hopefully won't miss much time, so he's stashable on your bench, or the IR. He's producing too much to drop, in my opinion. 

Hopefully he can return in short order, as the Yankees are still without Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, so there's not much thump in the lineup.

Acuna Nearing Return

Ronald Acuna Jr. is expected back with the Braves any day now. He's been making rehab starts for the past several days as he works back from a Grade 1 left hamstring strain.

In 53 games and across 236 plate appearances so far, Acuna has a .251 average and .373 OBP, plus 22 RBIs, 31 runs scored, 15 stolen bases, 35 walks and 52 strikeouts. He has 10 doubles, seven homers and a triple among his 49 total hits.

He's an exciting, and good player, so his return is huge for the Braves, and his fantasy baseball owners. Be ready to activate Acuna, and hope he stays healthy the rest of the season, so he can earn back some of his lost value from missing the past couple months.

Langeliers Done for Year?

Shea Langeliers could be done for the season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee. He suffered the injury running the bases, and is still deciding on a procedure that could end his season.

That's a massive blow to the Athletics and fantasy owners, as Langeliers has been really good this season. Over 93 games and 416 plate appearances, he has a .263 average and .332 OBP. 

Langeliers has 23 homers, 19 doubles and 99 total hits. He also has posted 51 RBIs, 55 runs scored, 34 walks, 96 strikeouts and two stolen bases.

The catcher is one to stash on an IR spot until we know how long he will be out. If he's done for the season, then he can be dropped in all redraft leagues, of course. Be watching injury updates on him, but expect the Athletics to play things safely with their All-Star catcher.