MARINERS MOVE FOR SPAN AND COLOME
The Seattle Mariners acquired outfielder Denard Span, pitcher Alex Colome and cash from the Tampa Bay Rays for pitchers Tommy Romero and Andrew Moore.
What does it give the Seattle Mariners
This is a big deal for the Mariners, who are contenders in the AL West division this season. Span will take over in left field in all likelihood, which will allow Guillermo Heredia to move to center field and veteran Dee Gordon (currently injured) to permanently move back to second base in place of the suspended Robinson Cano. As for Colome, he will be used in the eighth inning to set up Edwin Diaz.
What does it give the Tampa Bay Rays
In Romero, the Rays add a quality arm and prospect who is several years away from reaching MLB (but who holds much promise). Moore is a lot closer to the big leagues and could see action with Tampa Bay before the end of 2018. Tampa also received cash in this transaction. Since the Rays are not contending this season, it made sense to deal away Span and Colome at this time.
Fantasy impact
This trade helps Seattle a lot in the near future, and it should help Span's fantasy value too (since he will now play regularly in a better lineup). The deal hurts Colome, though. No longer a closer, he will now be valuable only in leagues that use the holds stat category. Otherwise, it is time to dump Colome because saves will now be few and far between. Romero should be on the fantasy radar and can be picked up now in a lot of keeper leagues. Moore is a decent pitcher but wait before picking him up.
