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.
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