With free agency crawling around it is time to look at some of the players that will benefit from players that have left their current teams for new ones. Often we discuss the player on a new team without thinking of the repercussions for the team they left behind. Here are six players that could benefit from free-agent departures.
Fantasy Baseball Players Who Benefit From Free Agency
Robert Suarez (RP – SD)
With the departure of Josh Hader to the Astros, it appears that Suarez is likely the first man up to take on the closer role in San Diego. Suarez has thrown 75.1 innings over the last two seasons with a 2.99 ERA and 85 strikeouts and while his past season was not as great as his first in San Diego, his five-year, $46 million contract probably gives him the first shot over newcomers Yuki Matsui and Woo Suk Go.
Nick Madrigal and Michael Busch (3B – CHC)
Now that Jeimer Candelario is playing for the Reds in Cincinnati, there is an opening at third base in Chicago. Madrigal and Busch seem likely to be the guys that could fill the role, but they are extremely different in terms of their profile. Madrigal is a former top-tier prospect that was known for a great hit tool and his defense, but he has struggled to live up to the offensive potential in the Major Leagues. Busch was also a top-tier prospect known for his some fantastic offensive seasons in the minors, but being a really bad defensive player. Busch is the one you want to gamble on for fantasy as he has 30 home runs upside if he can get full time playing time, but there is real risk to that role as he is so bad defensively that the Cubs may not want him in the field that much.
Jose Leclerc (RP – TEX)
With both Will Smith and Aroldis Chapman leaving town and Hader not coming to town, the Rangers seem likely to let Leclerc be the full-time closer in 2024. Leclerc has had a couple stints in the past as the Rangers closer, but lost it the first time due to performance and the second time due to injury. Since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2022, Leclerc has been fantastic – throwing 104.2 innings of a 2.75 ERA with 11 saves and 121 strikeouts – but he has struggled with walks at times with an 11% walk rate. There is risk to his profile, but unless the Rangers bring someone else in, he should be the guy.
Tyler Wells and Dean Kremer (SP – BAL)
With Jack Flaherty and Kyle Gibson finding new homes this offseason, the Orioles are in need of pitchers to step up into the rotation. Unless Baltimore signs someone last minute, it appears that Wells and Kremer will be those guys.
Wells was fantastic for the Orioles in 2023 in the first half posting a 3.13 ERA and .93 WHIP in 104.2 innings but struggled before being sent down in the second half. He has five usable pitches and enough swing and miss to be a very good pitcher in that spacious park as long as he has a role in the rotation. Kremer is a decent pitcher with a home run problem. The home run problem gets protected in Camden Yards but when he is on the road he struggles. He is best served for a home streamer in deeper formats.
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