ALVARADO ADDED BY THE PHILLIES
In a three-team trade, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired pitcher Jose Alvarado from the Tampa Bay Rays; Tampa Bay acquired first baseman Dillon Paulson and a player to be named later or cash considerations from the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles acquired pitcher Garrett Cleavinger from the Phillies.
What does it give the Philadelphia Phillies
In Alvarado, the Phillies get an upgrade for the bullpen. He is more proven and more talented than Cleavinger, although Alvarado was not healthy much in 2020. Philadelphia is obviously hoping for him to turn it around this season.
What does it give the Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays are continuing the trend of shipping out players before they become expensive options for them. Alvarado is merely the latest example. In Paulson, Tampa Bay lands a decent first base prospect. They will also get a second future asset in this transaction.
What does it give the
The Dodgers obviously see something they like in the 26-year-old Cleavinger, since they moved out two future assets to land him. Los Angeles has a history of getting good mileage out of relievers, so perhaps Cleavinger will be the latest example of a successful experiment.
Fantasy impact
Alvarado is the only player who may get draft consideration from this trade, but even he comes with injury concerns. A better move would be to take a wait-and-see approach with him, and monitor how he does this spring. Neither Paulson nor Cleavinger need to be on the fantasy radar at present time, though things can change quickly in sports.
