Jack Flaherty (SP-LAD) was dealt from the Tigers to the Dodgers ahead of the trade deadline on Tuesday. The 28 year-old has returned to fantasy relevance with a vengeance in 2024, as he'll take a 2.95 ERA, 11.2 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, and 2.57 xFIP with him to LA. With a 14% swinging-strike rate that is his highest since 2020 and a career-low walk rate, Flaherty has capitalized on his one-year deal with the Tigers to be dealt to a contender during the stretch run in preparation for a big contract during the offseason. The back issue that recently cost him some time is certainly a concern, but the Dodgers didn't exactly pay a high price for him on an expiring contract and fantasy owners should auto-start him down the stretch.
Jorge Soler (OF-ATL) was traded from the Giants to the Braves late on Monday, reuniting him with a team that he helped to propel to a World Series win in 2021. The 32 year-old was batting .240 with 12 homers, 40 RBI, and 57 runs scored through 392 PA, with a wRC+ of 115 at the time he was dealt. His .179 ISO represents his lowest figure in that department since an injury-shortened 2017 when he was with Kansas City. Although Oracle Park did him no favors as the #29 stadium in Park Factor for right-handed hitters per Statcast (97), Soler's Statcast profile (which includes a 40% hard-hit rate, 10.5% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 90 mph) is his worst since 2018. His move to Truist Park does represent a significant upgrade in Park Factor, as Statcast puts that stadium at #8 with a Park Factor of 101 over the last three seasons. But Soler's Statcast figures so far in 2024 suggest that fantasy owners should not expect a turnaround with the change in home park.
Eloy Jimenez (OF-BAL) was dealt from the White Sox to the Orioles from the White Sox in exchange for SP prospect Trey McGough. The 27 year-old has yet to live up to expectations after a strong rookie season back in 2019 (.267 average, 31 homers, 79 RBI, and a wRC+ of 115 in 504 PA), in large part because injuries have kept him off the field. Jimenez has not registered more than 500 PA since that rookie season. So far in 2024, he's logged just 249 PA in which he's registered a career-worst line of a .240 average, 5 homers, 16 RBI, 18 runs scored, and a wRC+ of just 80; he's never logged a wRC+ below 100 before this season. While contact hasn't been an issue as his 19% strikeout rate is tied for the lowest of his career and he's made a lot of hard contact (Statcast shows a 51% hard-hit rate, 10% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 92.5 mph - all healthy numbers), Jimenez has struggled to elevate the ball as his average launch angle of just 2.7 is a career low while he's hit worm burners at a 59.5% clip. And then there's a mild downgrade in ballpark for the hitter as he moves from the #17 stadium in baseball for right-handed hitters in Guaranteed Rate Field with a Park Factor of 100 to the #21 stadium in Camden Yards (99).
Trevor Rogers (SP-BAL) was traded from Miami to Baltimore on Tuesday in advance of the trade deadline as the Orioles seek to strengthen their injury-ravaged rotation down the stretch of a pennant chase. It remains to be seen how much the 26 year-old southpaw will actually help his new team, as he carries a 4.53 ERA, 7.3 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, and 4.57 xFIP through 105.1 IP to Baltimore. His average fastball velocity has dipped for the second straight season, from a peak of 94.5 mph in 2021 and 2022 to 93.5 mph a season ago to a shade over 92 mph so far this year. His swinging-strike rate is down to a career-low 9% so far this season after coming in at 11% or better each of the last three seasons while his Statcast profile is the worst of his career with a 43.5% hard-hit rate, 9% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 90.5 mph.
Tanner Scott (RP-SD) was perhaps the highest-impact reliever to move before the trade deadline as the Padres acquired him and another reliever from the Marlins in exchange for a haul that included three of San Diego's top five prospects in SP Robby Snelling (#2), SP Adam Mazur (#4), and 1B/3B/OF Graham Pauley (#5), in addition to another prospect. The 30 year-old southpaw is in the midst of what has in some ways been his best big-league season to date, as he owns a 1.18 ERA, 10.5 K/9, and 5.3 BB/9 through 45.2 IP in which he's excelled as Miami's closer; Scott has earned 18 saves and 1 hold while blowing 2 saves. But peripherals that include a 2.93 xERA, 3.88 SIERA, and 3.76 xFIP indicate that he's enjoyed a lot of good luck, namely a career-high 83.5% strand rate, career-low .172 BABIP, and a 6% HR/FB. Some correction to the mean therefore seems to be in the offing as Scott seems likely to slot in front of Padres closer Robert Suarez as a setup man.
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