Baseball’s offseason is always filled with signings and trades. Sometimes it can be hard to follow all the movement, and more importantly, what it means for a player’s outlook for the upcoming season. RP Liam Hendrix, 3B Nolan Arenado, and SP Carlos Carrasco are three players who have switched teams, giving them a boost in fantasy value.
RP Liam Hendricks, Chicago White Sox (3-1 1.78ERA .67WHIP 24G 14SV 25.1IP 37SO)
Hendricks is coming off a dominant season with the Oakland Athletics and earned the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year award. The Athletics weren’t able to offer him the big contract to match his skill. The White Sox were the lucky winners, edging out teams with a 3-year, 54 million dollar deal. The White Sox allowed former closer Alex Colome(.81ERA 12SV) to go into free agency knowing they had a chance to land Hendriks.
This guy has had a complete turnaround after he failed as a starting pitching prospect with the Athletics. Hendricks is one of the best relievers in the MLB, and I feel that the White Sox are the perfect team for him. Hendricks put up impressive numbers with a team with an inconsistent offense, but now he is going to one of the best offenses in baseball.
I like Hendricks as the top RP in fantasy leagues, even above the electric closer in Milwaukee, Josh Hader. Hendricks looks primed to have a better season than he did in 2020. The only thing that could hurt Hendrick’s value is if the White Sox offense ends up so good it limits save opportunities. Regardless, Hendricks is going to give you elite numbers across the board. Don’t be afraid to jump on him in the fourth or fifth round.
3B Nolan Arenado St Louis Cardinals (48GP 8HR 26RBI .253AVG)
The Cardinals pulled off one of the biggest trades this offseason when they scored perennial All-Star 3B Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. Arenado is coming off his worst season in the majors, but it was also the shortest season he’s ever played. He has consistently played 111+ games in every season since 2013. From 2015-2019 he never had less than 37HR, 110RBI, or batted below .287AVG.
The Rockies didn’t want to get rid of Arenado, but his contract and the team’s declining play forced their hand. Arenado will have a lot to prove after a down-season. It would be hard not to thrive on the Cardinals. He will be surrounded by a plethora of hitters, SS Paul DeJong, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, 2B Tommy Edman, and OF Dylan Carlson. For the first time in his career, he is finally on a team with World Series aspirations.
Don’t sleep on Arenado. He plays one of the most coveted positions in all of fantasy baseball. Once the top guys go, it becomes slim pickings at 3B. I believe that Arenado will come back to top form and finish the season as the top 3B in fantasy baseball and right now is going at a big discount.
SP Carlos Carrasco, New York Mets (3-4 2.91ERA 1.20WHIP 12G 12GS 68IP 82SO)
Carrasco was a toss-in player in the huge trade involving SS Francisco Lindor to the Mets from the Cleveland Indians. The Mets made out like vandals in this deal. They got one of the best baseball players and one of the most underrated arms in baseball. Carrasco has had an ERA of 3.6 or lower in six of the last seven seasons and has made more than 85% of his starts in five of the last six seasons.
The Mets desperately needed a second pitcher to go along with Cy Young finalist Jacob DeGrom because SP Noah Syndergaard can’t seem to stay healthy. Carrasco is durable, and now he will get to pitch in the NL which means he won’t have to face a DH. This guy is in for a monster season.
Carrasco is currently going around pick 75 overall, and getting him that deep into the draft is a deal with what he will bring to the table. Carrasco will contribute in every pitching category except for saves. He has a genuine chance to end the season as a top 20 option at SP.