The Atlanta Braves have added another veteran to the lineup when they acquired Brandon Phillips from the Cincinnati Reds. Phillips is in the final year of the 10-year/$98 million deal he signed in 2008. For the rebuilding Reds, Phillips was beginning to lose playing time and fantasy value. The move to Atlanta gives Phillips at least another year of fantasy relevance, as well as his replacement in Cincinnati, Jose Peraza.
In 141 games last season, Phillips batted .291 with 11 home runs, 64 runs batted in, 74 runs scored and 14 stolen bases. His 2016 performance earned him the 12th best second baseman ranking in fantasy. There is no reason to think another .290/10/70/70/10 season is out of Phillip’s reach. Sliding into a veteran-filled Braves lineup should help keep Phillips drafted in standard leagues.
The more intriguing player in the Phillips trade didn’t change teams. Early reports have Peraza taking over the second base duties full-time for the Reds. Eligibility-wise, he spent the majority of his time at shortstop and outfield last season. In standard Yahoo leagues, he already has second base eligibility as well. The versatility of Peraza is very beneficial to any owner, but he adds much more than multiple positions.
Last season, he only played in 72 games with the Reds. He batted .324, hit three home runs, drove in 25 RBI, scored 25 runs and stole 21 bases. The 22-year-old Peraza has a lot of room to grow, especially in the stolen base category. He was caught stealing 10 times with the Reds last year. If he becomes a more efficient base stealer, a 40-steal season is in his reach.
When a trade happens that only improves the involved players’ fantasy value, it is as much as a win-win as could possibly be. Phillips move to an overall better lineup, should allow him more chances at RBI and runs scored. A top-15 second base ranking is not outrageous. Peraza on the other hand, officially becomes an every day player, even though it is for a bad team. Peraza’s stolen base potential alone makes him a starting-caliber second baseman in all leagues.
Harrison Howard covers the San Francisco Giants and Fantasy Baseball as a Staff Writer for OPSN. Follow him on Twitter @harryhoward54.
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