One of the keys to being a successful GM in fantasy baseball is to have the ability to examine the landscape of reality baseball and make roster moves according to what you believe the reality GMs are going to do.
The trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and teams are going to have to finally commit to being buyers or sellers on the open market. Most of the contenders are easy to spot, and the majority of bottom-feeders are already showcasing their trade chips. Right in the middle, however, there are some delusional executives who believe they should be buying instead of selling, and that could actually save your fantasy season.
Though the Giants find themselves just 2 ¹/₂ games out of an NL wild-card spot, a report from Yahoo’s Jeff Passan says the team is not altering its trade-deadline plans and will still look to deal impending free-agent Madison Bumgarner, along with relievers such as Will Smith and Tony Watson. However, there are those inside the organization who say GM Farhan Zaidi is not committing to the fire sale just yet.
“This entire season for us has never been a throwaway season or rebuilding season,” Zaidi said on Bay Area’s KNBR-680 Radio. In spite of Passan’s assurances, Zaidi cited both Hall of Fame manager Bruce Bochy’s impending retirement and how the Giants play over the next week as his barometers for what he does with this roster near the deadline. In other words, should the Giants remain in close contention, he is going to give his manager one last crack at a World Series run.
If that is the case, fantasy owners can rest easy as thoughts of MadBum switching over to the AL or having to call a hitter’s park his new home could be cast aside. For the time being, that is. He still is going to be a free agent, and the Giants will want to get something for him rather than just letting him walk. But perhaps instead of a boatload of prospects, they attempt to increase their rotation depth and look for major league-ready talent. Throwing in pitcher-friendly Oracle Park will certainly help increase the value of many starters out there.
This will also help maintain the current value of Smith, the Giants’ closer. If the Giants were in sell mode, the chances of Smith ending up elsewhere as a set-up man would be high. If they decide to hold him, he remains a closer and fantasy owners dodge a bullet.
The Giants aren’t alone here. Look at every team in the playoff hunt: The Cardinals, Phillies, Diamondbacks and Rays all have decisions to make. Identify those trade chips and start adjusting accordingly. The information is right there for the taking, even if it is steeped in speculation.
Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 4-6 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy sports advice, MLB lineups and DFS weather updates.