AARON SANCHEZ SENT TO HOUSTON
The Houston Astros acquired pitchers Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini and outfielder Cal Stevenson from the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Derek Fisher.
What does it give the Houston Astros
The 27-year-old Sanchez sports atrocious numbers across the board this season, including a 3-14 record in 23 starts. However, he is supremely talented so the hope for Houston is that he can contribute to a contender, while regaining his confidence (and his lost mojo). He will likely be used at the back end of the Astros' rotation down the stretch. Biagini is a serviceable right-hander who has become a quality big-league reliever. Therefore, he should provide solid depth in the middle of the Astros bullpen down the stretch.
What does it give the Toronto Blue Jays
In Fisher, the Blue Jays get a masher who should be given every opportunity to become a regular (either in left field or as the DH, or possibly center field) in the near future. He turns 26 in August, so now is the time for Fisher to make a statement in MLB, once and for all. He will never receive a better chance than with Toronto at this point in time, so it is all up to him to seize the moment. In the end, the Jays did not get a ton in return for one of their best assets (Sanchez) and a solid pitcher who has found his big-league niche as a reliever, so Fisher must come through.
Fantasy impact
Sanchez, Biagini and Fisher are all fantasy stocks on the rise after this trade. All three can be picked up in most league formats, with Sanchez and Fisher offering the most in terms of keeper value. Stevenson turns 23 in September and is considered a decent prospect, but he will have trouble cracking the Astros lineup for the foreseeable future. Therefore, he is not currently on the keeper radar.
