MLB Trade Deadline Fantasy Baseball Breakdowns: Rutschman, Ray and More

Let's continue breaking down MLB trades from a fantasy baseball perspective.

With a bunch of trades over the past couple hours, we might be headed toward another breakdown article, or even two!

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Rutschman Sent to Boston

Boston made a big splash, acquiring Adley Rutschman from the Orioles. Baltimore got Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon, Enddy Azocar, Carlos Narvaez and a player to be named later in return.

Rutschman is on the 10-day IL right now, and has dealt with injuries on and off all season, but has been stellar when healthy. He has a .251 average and .331 on-base percentage over 67 games and 284 plate appearances.

He has 19 doubles, eight homers and a triple among his 62 total hits. Rutschman has also posted 47 RBIs, 30 runs scored and walks and 40 strikeouts.

Rutschman would be owned in all fantasy leagues if he'd been healthy and producing at that level all season. He's worth adding as he shouldn't be out much longer, and now he's on a better team/offense. Keep rostering him unless he misses extended time.

Eyanson was the Red Sox' No. 2 prospect, and he's the No. 49 overall. He's looked great across two minor league levels in 2026. The 21-year-old has a 2027 ETA despite being picked in the third round last summer. He's a huge dynasty prospect and now has a chance to maybe even be called up later this season, so keep tabs on that.

Witherspoon was Boston's No. 4 prospect. He is 21 years old, pitches in High-A and has a 2027 ETA. Witherspoon has struggled a bit this season, but is still highly regarded, and should be rostered in dynasty leagues. We'll see how quickly he can rise with his new organization, but a late 2027 ETA seems most likely right now.

Azocar was the Red Sox' No. 5 prospect before the trade. The 19-year-old is already at High-A, and he has a 2028 ETA. Azocar has hit well between two minor league levels this season and could keep climbing the ranks with more good results.

Narvaez is a 27-year-old catcher who will effectively replace Rutschman in Baltimore. He is hitting just .187 and getting on at a .260 clip over 62 games and 197 games this season. He's a better backup now, and likely won't deliver enough to be more than a deep-league fantasy asset.

Baltimore traded away a star in Rutschman, but got a massive haul in return. Right now, the Red Sox win this deal, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Orioles end up winning this deal in the long run.

Ray Traded to Padres

Robbie Ray was traded from the Giants to the Padres. San Francisco got Miguel Mendez and Joniel Hernandez.

Ray has pitched really well of late, and lands with a contender for the stretch run now. Over 22 appearances this season, Ray has a 10-6 record and 3.08 earned run average. He has 107 punchouts over 122 2/3 innings.

Joining a better team, Ray now has a better fantasy outlook. If he's still available in your league, pick him up. Otherwise, see if you can trade for Ray, as I see a strong finish to the year for him.

Mendez was the Padres' No. 4 prospect before the trade. The 24-year-old is expected to debut later this season, but has topped out at Double-A. San Fran could give him a look later this season, so be looking out for that.

Hernandez was the Padres' No. 9 prospect. He's playing in rookie ball as a 17-year-old after signing with San Diego earlier this year. He has a 2031 ETA. He's one to keep tabs on, and roster in a lot of dynasty leagues, even with his ETA so far off.

Hicks Sent to Rays

The Marlins sent Liam Hicks to the Rays in exchange for Brayden Taylor, Jacob Kisting and Adrian Santana.

Hicks is enjoying a breakout season, and now joins the AL's best team for the final bit of the regular season. He has a .282 average and .363 on-base percentage over 101 games and 409 plate appearances.

Hicks has 14 home runs, nine doubles and a triple among his 100 total hits so far. He has 62 RBIs, 54 runs scored, 40 walks, just 39 strikeouts and three stolen bases.

He can play first base or catcher, and should start regularly for Tampa Bay. I like his outlook there and believe he will remain a good fantasy asset. He's already owned in all fantasy leagues, and the change of scenery bumps his value up a bit, at least, so just hold him if you already have him.

Taylor was the Rays' No. 16 prospect before the trade. The 24-year-old infielder is in Double-A and is expected to debut in 2027. There's a chance he gets called up now in 2026, so keep an eye on Taylor.

Kisting was Tampa Bay's No. 26 prospect. The 23-year-old pitcher is in High-A and has a 2028 ETA. He's pitched really well this season, so we'll see if he can keep rising with his new organization.

Santana was the Rays' No. 27 prospect. The 21-year-old shortstop is in High-A and has a 2028 ETA. He too is enjoying a big season, so we'll see if the Marlins can keep developing him.

Dodgers Get Another LHP

The Dodgers acquired Kris Bubic from the Royals, sending Carlos Duran in return.

Bubic is on the 60-day injured list now, so the Dodgers are hoping he can return later this season. He's made just nine starts this season.

Bubic is 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA over 50 1/3 innings, and has 51 strikeouts so far. He has a career 4.14 ERA, but had a 2.55 ERA over 20 starts a season ago, so he's been a big fantasy asset in the past.

Even with Bubic out now, he's worth adding and stashing after getting traded to a much better team. He'll be a really good asset if he can make any regular season starts for LA later this season.

Duran doesn't seem like a big enough return for Bubic. Duran is 25 years old and has one MLB appearance so far - he allowed three runs on a hit and three walks, while getting just one out. His minor league numbers aren't the best either, so I'm not really sure why the Royals sold Bubic for so cheap.

Blue Jays Acquire Smith from Rangers

Toronto added again in a trade, getting Josh Smith and Josh Stephan in exchange for Adam Macko.

Smith is a versatile defender, but has struggled with the bat this season. He owns a .213 average and .299 OBP over 45 games and 154 plate appearances.

He is a career .234 hitter with a .325 OBP, so Toronto is hoping for that down the line. If he plays enough and produces more at the plate, he could be a standard league option, but he's likely going to be a better deep-league asset the rest of the season.

Stephan is 24 years old and has pitched in Triple-A all season. He has a 5.44 ERA this season and 4.25 ERA over his minor league career, so he's more of a depth option for Toronto.

Macko is 25 years old and made his MLB debut earlier this season. In 22 appearances since, he's 2-0, but with a 4.91 ERA over 22 innings. He isn't a big fantasy asset, and that likely won't change after this trade.

Pirates Trade for Weaver

Pittsburgh is acquiring Luke Weaver from the Mets for Sammy Stafura.

Weaver has a 1.84 ERA over 42 relief appearances this season. He gets a slight fantasy boost as he joins a better team, and with a chance for saves, Weaver is really someone to keep tabs on.

Stafura was the Pirates' No. 9 prospect before the trade. He's 21 years old, has a 2028 ETA and is playing in High-A right now. The shortstop is having a pretty big season, and could keep trending up, so he's a prospect to keep tabs on.