The 2025 MLB Trade Deadline has passed, and fantasy baseball managers are now grappling with the significant impact of various player moves, especially when evaluating changes in fantasy value. One of the most notable storylines is the Eugenio Suárez trade deadline impact, which starkly contrasts Suárez’s major park upgrade with a severe decline in his fantasy prospects. This article explores which players gained or lost fantasy value post-deadline, highlighting key transactions and their ramifications.
Players Benefiting from New Opportunities and Improved Situations
A number of players emerged as clear winners after the deadline, either through increased roles, better team contexts, or favorable ballpark conditions. Relief pitcher Jhoan Durán’s move to the Philadelphia Phillies nearly guarantees him the closer role, improving his usage pattern and save opportunities. Durán posted a 2.01 ERA, 53 strikeouts against 18 walks, and 16 saves in 49⅓ innings with the Twins before the trade. His new manager, Rob Thomson, typically relies on a single closer, which bodes well for Durán’s fantasy ceiling.
Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa’s transition from Minnesota to a familiar, stronger team boosts his value. He maintains a full-time position with enhanced eligibility at both shortstop and third base, which should aid his fantasy appeal in the season’s final two months.
Outfielder Jesús Sánchez, also traded to Houston, benefits from a superior lineup, despite minimal park improvements and platoon limitations. His solid 2025 season line includes a .256 batting average, 10 home runs, 36 RBIs, and nine stolen bases through 86 games. His strikeout rate is a career best 20.8%. Sánchez will share right field duties with Cam Smith, who will receive rest due to this platoon arrangement, according to Brian McTaggart.
Jesús Sánchez, a left-handed hitter, will play right field and platoon with Cam Smith, allowing Smith some breathers in what has been a career-high workload.— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 31, 2025
With Sánchez’s departure, Miami Marlins outfielders Jakob Marsee and Heriberto Hernandez are poised for greater roles. Hernandez, hitting .311/.363/.505 over 38 games with five homers, offers a blend of potential and risk, given his defensive limitations and high strikeout rates observed both in Triple-A and the majors. Marsee, meanwhile, presents a compelling fantasy profile with 14 home runs and 47 steals in Triple-A, accompanied by a strong on-base ability and balanced power-speed combination.
Chicago Cubs’ Matt Shaw has surged since a midseason swing adjustment, slashing .359/.375/.744 with four home runs and three steals across 12 games. Despite reports that Willi Castro might start at third base, Shaw’s hot hitting suggests he may firmly occupy the role. Castro is performing decently at .245/.335/.407 but lacks Shaw’s current offensive consistency.
San Diego Padres’ starting pitcher JP Sears, acquired in the Mason Miller trade, stands to gain from a team and park upgrade. Sears’ 4.97 ERA belies his quality underlying stats, including a 97/29 K/BB ratio over 111 innings and a dominant fly-ball approach that has resulted in a high home run rate. Moving to Petco Park, which suppresses home runs, should lower his ERA, making him a viable fantasy asset in deeper leagues.
With Mason Miller traded away, Oakland Athletics’ Jack Perkins and Luis Danys Morales emerge as potential rotation or bullpen assets. Perkins, a 25-year-old with strong Triple-A starter numbers and successful MLB relief appearances (2.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 19 strikeouts in 19⅔ innings), could assume either a starting or closing role. Meanwhile, Morales, ranked MLB’s No. 3 prospect, boasts a 3.73 ERA and a 107/35 K/BB ratio over 89⅓ Triple-A innings, with a high-velocity fastball and an effective slider. His promotion signals a potential future impact despite some uncertainty in his pitch mix.
The Athletics are calling up MLB’s No. 3 prospect and right-handed pitcher Luis Danys Morales, per sources. Morales, 22, is expected to be activated tomorrow. A remarkable story since he escaped from a Mexico airport in 2021 to pursue his dream of reaching the Big Leagues.— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) July 31, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen situation favors Blake Treinen maintaining a significant share of save opportunities, despite adding Brock Stewart at the deadline. With Tanner Scott sidelined, Treinen and Alex Vesia are expected to share closing duties, preserving Treinen’s fantasy viability.
New Padres acquisition Nestor Cortes secures a rotation spot on a contender and likely replaces Randy Vasquez. Cortes impressed in recent rehab starts, striking out nine while allowing a single run in 5⅔ innings, and benefits from pitching at pitcher-friendly Petco Park. He is an essential pick in larger leagues and a viable streamer elsewhere.
In Kansas City, Bailey Falter and Ryan Bergert should fill rotation gaps left by injured starters Kris Bubic and Michael Lorenzen. While these moves provide moderate fantasy value, especially in deep leagues, both pitchers may only serve as temporary options depending on the health of teammates.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Bubba Chandler is poised to join the rotation with Falter’s departure. Chandler’s Triple-A performance—127 innings pitched, a 3.05 ERA, and a 160/60 K/BB ratio—signals his readiness to contribute at the major league level despite recent struggles and understandable mental obstacles.
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Tyler Locklear, part of the Eugenio Suárez trade, takes over as the starting first baseman. His .316/.401/.542 line at Triple-A with 19 home runs and 18 steals provides promise, supported by strong exit velocity and reduced swing-and-miss tendencies. Locklear’s home park, Chase Field, ranks as the second-best for right-handed hitters, enhancing his potential value.
Jordan Lawlar, another Diamondbacks infielder, is on track to secure the starting third base position once he returns from a hamstring injury, buoyed by a .319/.410/.583 line with 10 home runs and 18 steals in Triple-A. His promotion is anticipated for mid-August, with a clear role ahead given roster changes.
Also joining Arizona’s rotation is Anthony DeSclafani, who assumes a starting job after Merrill Kelly’s trade. DeSclafani’s long relief excellence and strong recent numbers (2.37 ERA and 0.89 WHIP over his last 19 innings) offer streaming value in deeper formats.
Closers Kevin Ginkel of Arizona and Will Vest of Detroit maintain their roles despite deadline acquisitions aimed at bolstering their bullpens, each holding steady fantasy value from job security.
Baltimore Orioles’ Coby Mayo stands to earn more regular starts following Ryan O’Hearn’s departure, though appearing part-time could remain the norm with Ryan Mountcastle’s impending return. Mayo’s talent surpasses that of Kyle Stowers, who thrived with consistent playing time.
Outfielder Dylan Beavers assumes increased playing time with Ramon Laureano’s trade, hitting .306 with 14 home runs, 21 steals, and a .924 OPS. Beavers is an immediate add in nearly all formats, likely filling Dylan Carlson’s left field spot.
Washington Nationals newcomer Robert Hassell III gains a chance to carve out playing time after Alex Call’s trade. Though Hassell struggled in a brief MLB stint, his .310/.383/.456 Triple-A line with 10 home runs and 16 steals merits monitoring in deep leagues.
Boston’s Kristian Campbell benefits from a lack of first base additions, rebounding after struggles and a demotion. His newfound versatility at first base and second base could yield late-season playing time due to Marcelo Mayer’s wrist injury.
Minnesota Twins insiders Brooks Lee, Kody Clemens, and Luke Keaschall are expected to occupy infield positions after a major roster shake-up, offering moderate fantasy value chiefly in larger leagues. While not 12-team must-haves, they provide dependable depth with everyday roles.
Outfielder Alan Roden, acquired from Toronto, faces competition in Minnesota’s outfield crowded with left-handed hitters but still holds better opportunities than before.
The Chicago White Sox plan to give prospect Curtis Mead professional at-bats at first base or designated hitter, a fresh opportunity after limited chances with Tampa Bay. Mead’s top prospect pedigree suggests untapped upside.
Washington Nationals’ Cade Cavalli, recovering from Tommy John surgery, may compete for a rotation spot following Michael Soroka’s trade. Though inconsistent of late, Cavalli’s high prospect status and flashes of prior potential make him worth watching.
San Francisco Giants’ Blade Tidwell could join the rotation, filling gaps caused by injuries and underperformance, serving as a worthwhile stash deep-league option.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Mets missed the chance to acquire starting pitchers on the trade market, relying instead on in-house talents Kyle Harrison, Connelly Early, Nolan McLean, and Brandon Sproat to bolster their staffs as the season winds down.
Several relievers, including Corbin Martin (Orioles), Cole Sands (Twins), JoJo Romero (Cardinals), Randy Rodriguez (Giants), Jose A. Ferrer (Nationals), and Dennis Santana (Pirates), hold the edge in their respective bullpens to claim closing duties, providing solid fantasy upside dependent on evolving team needs. However, mixed closer situations in St. Louis could provide chances for others such as Riley O’Brien or Kyle Leahy.
Players Whose Fantasy Value Dramatically Declined Following Trades
Despite moving to a more hitter-friendly park, Eugenio Suárez’s trade to the Seattle Mariners significantly diminishes his fantasy value. Suárez’s .234/.327/.423 batting line over two seasons with Seattle is underwhelming, and T-Mobile Park ranks as the worst stadium in baseball for right-handed hitters according to Statcast Park Factors. This drastic downgrade in ballpark conditions overshadows the expected power production, effectively crushing Suárez’s fantasy prospects.
Reliever Mason Miller’s trade to the Padres initially appeared promising. However, Robert Suarez retained the closer role, sidelining Miller to a setup pitcher position within one of the deepest bullpen groups in the league, severely limiting his fantasy ceiling.
The Padres DFA’d Martín Maldonado and Trenton Brooks. They optioned the newly acquired Will Wagner to Triple A. According to team officials, they are expected to keep Robert Suarez as their primary closer, with Mason Miller joining the league’s deepest group of setup men.— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) August 1, 2025
Ryan Helsley, 31, joins the New York Mets bullpen but is unlikely to replace Edwin Díaz as closer despite recording 21 saves and solid supporting stats. This curtails his immediate fantasy value and saves share.
David Bednar, traded to the Yankees, moves from a closer role to setup duty behind Devin Williams, despite being one of the most effective relievers this season. His 1.70 ERA and 16 saves in 37 innings reflect elite performance, but loss of save opportunities means limited fantasy impact in leagues that prioritize saves.
Pitchers David Robertson and Orion Kerkering fall out of save roles with the Phillies after Jhoan Durán’s arrival in the closer position. Their fantasy upside now depends on holds or situational saves in specific formats.
Houston’s Cam Smith faces a reduction to platoon and limited playing time behind Jesus Sánchez in right field. His July batting average of .214 over 24 games signals decline and a diminished fantasy profile, favoring roster moves away from him in most leagues.
Pittsburgh’s Cam Devaney lost an anticipated starting infield role following Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s retention. Despite solid Triple-A production (.271/.371/.535 with 18 home runs), Devaney’s path to full-time playing time is less certain.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Zack Littell posted a respectable 3.58 ERA and 1.12 WHIP but now pitches in Great American Ball Park, a notoriously hitter-friendly venue. Coupled with Littell’s career 2.03 home runs per nine innings allowed, his fantasy outlook dims.
But he plays in a minor league ballpark,
some might argue. Yet, Rays players noted challenging conditions in their spring training ballpark due to wind and visibility issues, indicating that small dimensions do not always translate to hitter-friendly conditions. Littell’s outing environment is unlikely to suit him long-term.
Chicago White Sox’s Aaron Civale stays put on a mediocre team following the deadline, missing an opportunity to join a more competitive squad, which limits his fantasy upside.
Pitchers Troy Melton (Detroit Tigers), Kumar Rocker (Texas Rangers), Chase Burns (Cincinnati Reds), Randy Vasquez (San Diego Padres), and Eric Lauer (Toronto Blue Jays) all face rotation uncertainty or lost starting roles, hampering their fantasy prospects in the near term. Burns, for instance, faces competition from Hunter Greene’s return, while Lauer could lose his spot as Shane Bieber returns to Toronto’s rotation.
The Wider Significance and Future Fantasy Considerations
The 2025 MLB Trade Deadline has reshaped fantasy baseball landscapes, as teams have shuffled talent leading to significant shifts in player value. Eugenio Suárez’s trade is a cautionary tale of how a seemingly positive ballpark change can paradoxically erode fantasy value due to other contextual factors like hitting splits and team environment. Meanwhile, several young prospects and role players seized new opportunities that could translate into meaningful contributions down the stretch.
For fantasy managers, vigilance is required to track how these changes affect roles, playing time, and park factors in real time. Players like Jhoan Durán, Jesús Sánchez, Matt Shaw, and Tyler Locklear highlight the importance of following usage patterns and underlying performance trends post-trade. Depth options in rotations and bullpens such as Luis Danys Morales, Jack Perkins, and multiple closer candidates remind managers of the constant competition and volatility in roles after the deadline.
As teams prepare for the playoff push, the evolving landscape demands active roster management and attention to both proven commodities and emerging prospects. With the final months ahead, the trades will continue to ripple across fantasy valuations, rewarding those who adapt swiftly.