Welcome back to another week of Rumor Roundup, where we dive into all the recent talk, transactions, and trends from around the league, balancing both fantasy baseball implications and real-world baseball analysis through the lens of a front office.
Featured Story
The Milwaukee Brewers went deadline shopping early this year, acquiring World Series champion right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon in exchange for prospect outfielder Jadyn Fielder.
McCullers Jr. hasn’t quite been the same after injuring his right flexor tendon in the 2022 World Series. He wouldn’t make a big league appearance until 2025, where he saw his velo dip over 2 ticks. The veteran posted a bloated 6.51 ERA through 55.1 innings and hasn’t done any better this season, posting a 6.86 mark through 39.1 innings. Walks have always been a major concern for McCullers as a starter throughout his career, but lately it’s gotten out of hand. He owns a 14% walk rate over the past two seasons, dropping his K-BB% to under 10%. Pretty disgusting (in a bad way).
So, what’s there to like about McCullers? The good news here is even during his best spurts with the Astros, the righty was always an arm that relied heavily on secondaries to carry the workload. Going to a masterful organization like the Brewers that can take these traits and elevate them to the next level should work well for him.
Looking at McCullers splits, he’s actually done fine against lefties (3.58 xFIP, 17% K-BB rate) compared to righties (5.08 xFIP, 5.8% K-BB rate). Limiting the outrageous usage rate on his sinker (42%) — a pitch that has turned in horrid results this year (.292 xBA, .375 xwOBA, 94 EV) and leaning heavily on the sweeper is the glaring change that comes to mind.
As for the rest of the trade: Gordon is an up-and-down reliever that makes up for his lack of velo with big extension and an uncomfortable delivery. Nothing outside of the changeup jumps off the page, but I wouldn’t doubt the Brewers will be able to elevate at least the sweeper and refine the triangle of fastballs he mixes in. Fielder — yes, the son of Prince Fielder — slashed .233/.415/.398 with a 125 wRC+ in Low-A before coming over to Houston.
Injury Updates
The following players have started or participated in rehab assignments this week:
- INF Gleyber Torres
- RHP Max Kranick; later activated
- RHP Jeremiah Estrada
- LHP Max Fried
- RHP Edwin Díaz
- OF Angel Martínez
The following players have been placed on the IL this week:
- RHP Brad Keller — right UCL tear
- LHP Jojo Romero — appendicitis
- OF Sal Frelick — right shoulder strain
Finally, the following players have seen their IL status change this week:
- C Freddy Fermin — activated
- DH Brent Rooker — transferred to IL60
Recent Transactions
The following players have been DFA’d:
- RHP Aaron Civale (ATH)
- C Yohel Pozo (STL)
The following players have been claimed or signed via free agency:
- n/a
The following trades have been executed:
- BOS acquired OF Jahmai Jones via DET in exchange for future considerations
Promotions/demotions:
- 1B Joey Meneses — optioned
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) | Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire
