ATLANTA ADDS 1B ADAMS FROM ST. LOUIS
The Atlanta Braves acquired first baseman Matt Adams and cash from the St. Louis Cardinals for infielder Juan Yepez.
What does it give the Atlanta Braves
Adams is a solid power hitter who can provide an offensive upgrade at first base over Jace Peterson (who was filling in for the injured Freddie Freeman). With Freeman out for possibly the next couple months recovering from a wrist fracture, Adams has a chance to play fairly regularly. The Braves are near the bottom of the majors in home runs hit (with just 44) so Adams' pop will be welcomed. The cash helps pay Adams' salary.
What does it give the St. Louis Cardinals
The recent return to the lineup of outfielder Stephen Piscotty made a roster move necessary by the Cardinals, so they sent Adams to Atlanta. It's a bit surprising (because Adams arguably has an above-average bat) but St. Louis already has a lefty first baseman in starter Matt Carpenter. Moreover, Jose Martinez can fill in from the right side, so Adams--who was mostly pinch-hitting lately--became the odd man out. In Yepez, the Cardinals receive a light-hitting but athletic corner infield prospect who will likely toil in the minor leagues for the foreseeable future.
Fantasy impact
Adams gets a slight upgrade in sleeper appeal following this swap, because he has a chance at significantly more playing time with Atlanta than he had with St. Louis. That said, do not snap Adams up in most league formats just yet; even if he forces Peterson to the bench for the next several weeks, Adams is a streaky hitter (and Freeman will be back eventually). Regardless, Peterson likely loses any fantasy value he had. On the Cardinals side of the deal, Yepez is not yet a prospect of note for fantasy purposes.
