Fantasy Baseball April 7 Round Up: MLB Opening Day Trade Gives the San Diego Padres Their Closer and a Fresh Start for Chris Paddack in Minnesota
Published: Apr 07, 2022
MLB Opening Day 2022 is finally here!
What a day it is! Baseball is back, the fantasy baseball season begins today and regardless of which MLB team you root for, today is a full day of celebration. We have been hard at work here at Fantasy Alarm, making sure our 2022 fantasy baseball player rankings are updated, our MLB tools are all in working order and we have the latest MLB news accounted for in our Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid, our Projected MLB Lineups and out Projected MLB Starting Rotations as well. With all the negativity that had surrounded the game for so long, today is the day we can put it all behind us, enjoy the games and watch our fantasy baseball teams begin that six-month-long journey towards a championship. Are you ready? I know I am.
But before we disappear into the games, there are still a couple of important items to mention.
MLB Trades
San Diego Padres Acquired LHP Taylor Rogers and OF Brent Rooker from the Minnesota Twins for RHP Chris Paddack, RHP Emilio Pagán, and a PTBNL
What the what? A trade on Opening Day? When was the last time we saw something like this? I couldn’t even tell you because I don’t know. What I do know is that this deal has some serious fantasy ramifications. First and foremost, it looks like Taylor Rogers is the new closer for the Padres. His fantasy value might get a small bump, but we will certainly have to watch what kind of a leash he has in his new home. He had a strong amount of leeway in Minnesota, but while Robert Suarez and Pierce Johnson will head back to their roles as set-up men, there is no telling how many hiccups are allowed before he becomes a situational lefty instead of a closer. In Minnesota, Pagan is likely going to be in the mix for saves, but something tells me, the Twins don’t do this deal without feeling confident that Jorge Alcala could hold down the ninth. As for Paddack, it’s a change of scenery, but the ballpark shift is neutral and the toughness of the AL Central is probably about the same as the NL West at this point. He’s probably got more upside as the Twins fifth starter than Chris Archer does, but we’ll see what happens moving forward. I don’t hate the move for him, but I’m not going to seek him out either.
MLB Free Agency
Pittsburgh Pirates Sign C Andrew Knapp and OF Jake Marisnick
Just a pair of small moves here, one of which the Pirates needed as they lacked a legitimate veteran back-up for the aging Roberto Pérez. There’s not a whole lot to love about Knapp, as he is there more for his defensive prowess than his bat, but he could see some added playing time if Perez lands on the IL at any point. Marisnick was let go by the Rangers and landed in Pittsburgh to serve as outfield depth. Save for Bryan Reynolds, who will likely be traded at some point, there really aren’t any quality outfielders on this roster. Ben Gamel? Yoshi Tsutsugo? Anthony Alford? Cole Tucker? Yuck! Marisnick holds no real fantasy appeal, so you can move along now.
MLB Injuries
Check all the Injured List movement in the latest MLB News. Teams are now making all of their final roster moves before the games start, so if your fantasy baseball league has unlimited IL spots, you can make some moves and add some upside picks while you wait for your stars to get healthy.
That’s it for today! Be sure to check all your lineups and make sure you’re all set for the fantasy baseball season to start. Other than that, go enjoy the games. This is going to be a phenomenal season here at Fantasy Alarm and we look forward to riding into the Winner’s Circle alongside each and every one of you!
Related Links:
- 2022 MLB Opening Day: Fantasy Baseball Closer Breakdown
- Fantasy Baseball Week 1 Waiver Wire: Does C.J. Abrams Get the Call?
- MLB April 6 Injury Report: Updates Before 2022 MLB Opening Day
- Fantasy Baseball Podcast: MLB Rookies of the Year and Trusting Closers
- 2022 Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.