The MLB Trade Deadline has concluded, and we saw much action this year. Teams like the Minnesota Twins sold what felt like everyone, and teams like the San Diego Padres were ramping up for a potential World Series run. All the movement is something that can cause some changes to your fantasy season. I’ll be breaking down 3 of the biggest risers in fantasy baseball from the trade deadline.
MLB Trade Deadline Fantasy Winners
Jhoan Duran, RP, Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies went big at the trade deadline by making a move for Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran. Duran is one of the top 10 closers in baseball, and that was for the Twins. The Twins are one of baseball’s worst teams, and Duran still managed to have 16 saves on the year. This is outside the top-15 in the league, but I can only imagine what he’ll be able to do with a World Series Contender like the Phillies. This is exactly what Duran needed for his career growth to establish himself as an elite closer. Duran is already rostered in over 90% of fantasy leagues, so you won’t find him on waivers. Rather, you’re going to need to make a trade for him and do so quickly before the fantasy baseball trade deadline approaches.
Duran was already on pace to set career highs in Wins Above Replacement (WAR), saves, and strikeouts. With another 60 games left in the season, Duran should be able to break those marks with a Phillies team that’s on a hot streak right now. If you’re in a standard H2H league, then Duran can help you win your saves category and keep your ERA lower. I’d be looking to trade up with an existing relief pitcher like Trevor Megill, Raisel Iglesias, or Devin Williams and a batter to land Duran.
Coby Mayo, 1B/3B, Baltimore Orioles
It’s been a disappointing season, to say the least, for the Baltimore Orioles. After a powerhouse campaign in 2024 where they finished with a 91-71 record, the Orioles haven’t been able to get anything going this year. They sit at the bottom of the AL East with a sub-.500 record. Instead of calling this year a wash and focusing on next year, the Orioles were sellers at the deadline. They moved on from 3 batters in outfielder Cedric Mullins, first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, and outfielder Ramõn Laureano. These moves pave the way for players like Coby Mayo and Jordan Westburg to get more playing time. The big benefactor from a fantasy perspective is Coby Mayo.
Mayo was a former top-10 prospect for the Orioles but has been inconsistent since being in the big leagues. On the year, he’s only hitting .225, but over the last two weeks, he’s been hitting over .300. He only had just over 100 appearances at bat on the year, but with the departure of O’Hearn, he should see a significant increase in playing time. With the way he has been hitting lately, it seems like a sign of positive things to come. Mayo is currently rostered in only 10% of Yahoo fantasy leagues. If you have a player struggling or dealing with injuries, it’s worth taking a flyer on Mayo from here on out before his value skyrockets.
Mick Abel, P, Minnesota Twins
The trade deal that landed Jhoan Duran, forced the Phillies to part with Mick Abel. The Phillies sent Abel and Eduardo Tait to the Minnesota Twins. Abel was a former first-round pick and top prospect for the Phillies. The Phillies called up Abel earlier this year, and he has appeared in only 6 games so far. He’s had a mediocre 5.04 ERA and a 2-2 record. If he stayed in Philadelphia, the Phillies likely would have sent Abel back down to AAA ball. The team is competing for the top spot in the NL, and they wouldn’t want a rookie towards the back of their rotation slowing them down.
Being in Minnesota, Abel already slides into the rotation nicely and should see regular appearances for the remainder of the season. With Minnesota going on a fire sale at the deadline, Abel is now one of the top players on their roster. His ERA is not something I’d like to have on my fantasy team, but his strikeout potential is what I’d like to get him for. He’s not someone I’m looking to pick up in redraft leagues, but in dynasty and keeper formats, I love Abel in the long term. He has a very bright future ahead of him in Minnesota. He was ranked around the P150-P160 range before the trade, but now I’d take him around the P120-130 range. The increase in starts alone makes him an intriguing option.