A lot of folks have been wondering exactly how this service
works. Well, a sample of what we do may help out a bit.
Here is an actual trade that was sent to us in August of the 2023 fantasy baseball season:
Two-team Trade:
Team A trades Urshela, Gio (3B-LAA) (Contract: 1 Salary: 3 Keeper: Yes ) to Team B.
Team A trades Steele, Justin (P-CHC) (Contract: 2 Salary: 10 Keeper: Yes ) to Team B.
Team B trades Rodriguez, Grayson (P-BAL) (Contract: 1 Salary: 7 Keeper: Yes ) to Team A.
Team B trades Cortes, Nestor (P-NYY) (Contract: 2 Salary: 3 Keeper: Yes ) to Team A.
The rating given by the RotoUmpire staff is 4. According to your league settings, this rating comes with a recommendation that the trade be allowed to stand.
OVERALL RESOLUTION DESCRIPTION
While Rodriguez is almost infinitely more regarded than Steele, Steele has the much better numbers this year, and is cheaper. Both have been pitching well of late, and both are going to be kept. Rodriguez is still the guy we like long-term, but we have to give Steele a pretty big one for one edge at this point.
Cortes and Urshula are both on the IL, and neither will likely be back this year. Both could be kept. That's pretty even.
Overall, Team B is getting the edge here, but with all 4 players likely keepers, it's not big enough to get to the 2 needed to fail. We rate this deal a 4 and recommend it pass.
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER NOTES
Gio Urshela
Urshela is out for the rest of the year with a fractured left pelvis. He's been a decently productive player the last few years, with a good OBP, and (before this year) decent power/R/RBI. He's probably worth keeping at $3 next year in a 20-team league. Not a major discount, but situationally could go for more.
Justin Steele
Steele had zero fanfare in his rookie debut in 2021. Baseball America graded him a 40 going into the year, which equates to spot starter/mopup reliever level talent. He must not have read that analysis, as he was impressive in 24 starts last year, and has looked even better so far this year. Despite the nice numbers going back to last year, his lack of pedigree does make us nervous about his long-term prospects. That said, we can't ignore what we've seen and have to give him good value and view him as a keeper at this point.
Nestor Cortes
Cortes has had a poor 2023 season and is currently on the IL. He has to be considered out for the season at this point. He's been great the past 2 years, but not so much this year with a 4.97 ERA. Other than the ERA, he's actually been OK. 1.25 WHIP, 5 wins in 12 starts, and about a K an inning. Given his track record, we can ignore his 2023 this one time and look at him as someone who could be kept next year for $3.
Grayson Rodriguez
Rodriguez was a top prospect but has not pitched well overall in his rookie year. Not every pitcher comes out and dominates immediately, and it's impossible to say if Rodriguez will figure it out this year, but he has been very promising lately. He's so talented that you're obligated to ride this out, but again, there are no guarantees September is as good as his last few starts and it could burn you. At the very least, an elite level talent like this should be kept at $7.
