Regan's Rumblings: 30 Teams, 30 Recommendations

As the world waits for some team/teams to step up and sign Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel, I took a pass through each team's depth chart and thought about at least one move each team could make. These involve promoting prospects, signing or trading for guys and simply giving some players more playing time. Let's take a look at 30 situations and the resulting fantasy impact of each.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Play Tim Locastro every day

Of course, the day after I outlined this piece, the Diamondbacks sent Locastro back to Triple-A Reno. He had been hitting .364/.563/.364 in 16 plate appearances, including a pair of stolen bases. The Diamondbacks, though, needed his spot for newly acquired Blake Swihart, who will function as a utility guy. Atop the second base depth chart is Wilmer Flores and his .220/.270/.288 line, so perhaps Swihart starts seeing second base at-bats. Locastro has excellent plate discipline and could contribute 25 steals given regular playing time.

Atlanta Braves – Sign RP Craig Kimbrel

We could put this one on a number of teams, but this is such a great fit. I cannot be persuaded that the Braves don't have the money, as their payroll is actually down over 2018. The Braves bullpen sports a 4.71 ERA, and they just lost closer Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) for the year. A.J. Minter would be next up, but he has as 6.75 ERA. I think he ends up here or in Milwaukee.

Baltimore Orioles – Sign C/DH Evan Gattis

Gattis is admittedly a flawed player as a DH-only option with a career .300 OBP. That said, he had 25 homers last year, had an .817 OPS against lefties and could function as a catcher in a pinch. Renato Nunez is doing a nice job at DH for Baltimore now, but they could move him to third and put Rio Ruiz on the bench where he belongs.

Boston Red Sox – Play Michael Chavis at second base regularly

I originally had, "Move Nathan Eovaldi to closer" here, but it's looking like Eovaldi may now be out for the year with an elbow injury. Chavis is a former first-round pick (2014) who has shown 25- to 30-homer power when he wasn't suspended for PEDs, so that's certainly a profile that can help jumpstart a struggling Red Sox offense that somehow ranks just 22nd in baseball in runs scored.

Chicago Cubs – More Albert Almora, less Kyle Schwarber

Almora is hitting just .196 in 57 PA but he offers elite glove work, and in the prior two seasons hit a reasonable .291/.329/.405. Meanwhile, Schwarber is hitting just .194 while providing less than stellar defense. Of course, Almora went 0-for-4 in a start on Sunday, so he's not helping his cause, but I think the Cubs are better with Almora in there.

Cincinnati Reds – Stop platooning Jesse Winker

Winker is hitting just .172/.232/.453 overall and even worse against left-handers, but this is a guy who hit .299/.405/.431 last year, and he's showing far more power this season. I do think however that giving at-bats to Matt Kemp makes zero sense. Kemp can't play defense anymore, and he's also hitting just .200/.210/.283 with a 19:1 K:BB in 62 PA. Just brutal. Let Winker work through his slump.

Cleveland Indians – Give Kevin Plawecki a bigger piece of the catcher pie

I don't know whether Plawecki is a big league starter, but Roberto Perez certainly is not. He's hitting just .196 this year and is a career .205/.297/.341 hitter in just over 1,000 PA. Plawecki has shown flashes at times, including .328/.375/.514 in Triple-A in 2017 and a solid .260/.364/.400 in 118 big league PA that same year. Can't hurt to give him a shot.

Colorado Rockies – Recognize that Ian Desmond is a sunk cost

Desmond is making $18 million this year, but that shouldn't matter for a guy hitting .183/.213/.310, especially when the Rockies have better options. If I'm the Rockies, I'm playing Daniel Murphy (finger) at first once he's back, Ryan McMahon at second, and Garrett Hampson over Desmond in the outfield. Hampson is off to an admittedly slow start, but he's been better lately and has more upside than Desmond.

Chicago White Sox – Sign P Dylan Cease to a six-year deal and bring him up

Cease had just 10 starts above A-ball under his belt prior to this season, but he's one of the top pitching prospects in the game, and the transition to Triple-A has been seamless – three starts, 1.84 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 14:3 K:BB in 14.2 innings. According to one report, the White Sox were looking to lock up Cease this spring, so his time is coming quick. White Sox starters have a 5.80 collective ERA, so some reinforcements would be welcome.

Detroit Tigers – Trade RP Shane Greene

Maybe this happens closer to July, but why not now? There are so many contenders (Dodgers, Red Sox, Braves, etc.) that could use a guy like Greene, so why not sell high? Greene has 10 saves with a 1.50 ERA, though his 3.17 FIP is probably a better predictor of how he will perform going forward. In addition, the possibility of a collapse is very much there, as Greene had posted 5+ ERAs in three of the previous four seasons. Once Greene is traded, Joe Jimenez would likely take over.

Houston Astros – Cut Tyler White loose, see what Yordan Alvarez can do

The Astros rank fourth in the league with a .842 OPS, but thanks to a .223 BA with RISP, they are 18th in runs scored. Another bat would certainly help. Current DH Tyler White is hitting just .212-0-0 (no RBI??) in 39 PA. Other guys who have received DH at-bats include Tony Kemp (.156 BA), as the Astros have used the position to give their outfielders a day off from playing in the field. Alvarez meanwhile has been destroying Triple-A pitching, crushing nine home runs and batting .309/.433/.855 with an 10:11 K:BB in 67 PA. Let's see what he can do.

Kansas City Royals – DFA Lucas Duda

Duda isn't a terrible player despite getting off to a .190 start, but for a veteran who isn't hitting to  take at-bats from younger talent makes no sense. If they want to keep him around as a pinch-hitter/spot-starter, fine, but having him taking playing time from Ryan O'Hearn is aggravating. Hearn may be hitting just .175/.329/.351 himself, but he had a .950 OPS in limited time last year, so let the guy play.

LA Angels – Call up Griffin Canning

This seems like a no-brainer, as the Angels rotation is just plain awful, ranking 29th in baseball with a 6.13 ERA. The 22-year-old Canning was the 47th overall pick in the 2017 draft, so he doesn't have a lot of pro experience, but in three Triple-A starts, Canning has a 0.56 ERA and 17:2 K:BB in 16 innings. The Angels would probably prefer to have him refine things for another two to three months in the minors, but can they wait that long?

LA Dodgers – DFA Rocky Gale, call up Will Smith

Gale has been better than I thought he'd be, actually getting one hit in his 10 at-bats. He belongs nowhere near a big league roster. Meanwhile, Smith seems to have figured out Triple-A pitching, starting .289/.421/.600 with an 11:10 K:BB. Keibert Ruiz is the team's top catching prospect, but he's three-plus years younger and not as big league ready as Smith. Smith can also spell Justin Turner at third if needed.

Miami Marlins – Let Tayron Guerrero close

The Marlins have received some encouraging starts from guys like Trevor Richards and Caleb Smith, but the bullpen is a mess. The presumed top three options have completely bombed – Sergio Romo (7.71 ERA), Adam Conley (6.75 ERA) and Drew Steckenrider (7.27 ERA). Guerrero meanwhile has yet to allow a run in 9.2 innings while averaging 98.4 mph on his fastball and posting an 11.2 K/9. The downside with Guerrero is that, at times, he resembles Carlos Marmol with his control (6.5 BB/9), but he's offset the walks by allowing just three hits. I'd grab Guerrero in deeper leagues.

Milwaukee Brewers – Move Corbin Burnes to the bullpen permanently

After I wrote this, the Brewers decided instead to move Burnes to Triple-A, seemingly to continue him working as a starter. Maybe he'll fix something there, come back and lower that ridiculous 5.6 HR/9 rate. Otherwise, I'd prefer to see him in the bullpen, where he had great success last year in posting a 2.61 ERA in 38 innings. The pen could certainly use the help with Corey Knebel (Tommy John) out for the year.

Minnesota Twins – Sign Bartolo Colon

Maybe this is ridiculous, but I refuse to believe that Colon has pitched his last pitch. I do know that the Twins, and other teams, could certainly use some reinforcements. Colon posted a poor 5.78 ERA last year, but hey, we've counted him out many times before. Barring this, I would also like to see Willians Astudillo playing every day. He's started just five of the last nine games (though also three of the last four).

NY Mets – Trade Dominic Smith, put him in LF or send him to Triple-A

It's safe to say that Pete Alonso has the first base job locked down, so why is Smith still on the roster? He's hitting a strong .409/.519/.500 but has received just 27 plate appearances. He doesn't look to have the body of a guy who can play a competent left field, though we've seen worse out there, so why not give that a try? Otherwise, send him back to Triple-A or trade him.

NY Yankees – Stop guys from getting hurt and keep Domingo German in the rotation

It now appears that Luis Severino (lat) won't be back before July, so the Yankees don't have to worry about this for now, but we have to like what we've seen from German so far. In 19 innings, the hard-throwing right-hander has posted a 2.37 ERA and 10.9 K/9. German's 3.3 BB/9 could stand to improve, but he didn't walk a hitter in his last start, and that rate is a bit skewed by the five walks he recorded in one outing. Hopefully, he sticks in the rotation for the year, as I see some talent there.

Oakland A's – More Chad Pinder

Pinder has never been a big prospect, but from what I've seen, he deserves a bit more than starting half the time. With a .929 OPS vs. LHP, he should play against southpaws most days, but he's got good power, and I'd like to see what he could do with more playing time. I'd certainly rather see him at first base over Kendrys Morales and in left field over Robbie Grossman. Hopefully we will.

Philadelphia Phillies – Try Enyel De Los Santos in the rotation

It's tough to see both Vincent Velasquez and Jered Eickoff sticking in the rotation, so I'd like to see De Los Santos get another chance. He had a 2.63 ERA, 7.8 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in Triple-A last year, but had been even better so far in three starts this season – 2.81 ERA, but with a 13.5 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9. De Los Santos averages close to 95 mph with his fastball, giving the 23-year-old plenty of breakout potential.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Put Bryan Reynolds in LF

Well, the day after I typed this headline, that's exactly what they've done, except Reynolds started in center field on Saturday and Sunday. Reynolds went 4-for-6 with a double in the two games and should get starts for the next week-plus with Starling Marte dealing with some soreness. With Gregory Polanco (shoulder) and Corey Dickerson (shoulder) also due back soon, Reynolds' stay could be a short one, though perhaps he can stick as a fourth outfielder and get two to three starts a week plus some PH appearances.

San Diego Padres – Leave Luis Urias in Triple-A

He's just not ready. Urias went 2-for-24 in limited action this year after hitting .208 in 53 PA a year ago. He's just 22 and was probably rushed, though Urias has been impressive in Triple-A, including hitting .296/.398/.447 there last year. Let Ian Kinsler play for now and evaluate Urias at the trade deadline and consider their options.

Seattle Mariners – Trade Jay Bruce, sign Daniel Vogelbach to an extension

The Mariners could also deal Edwin Encarnacion as rumored, but the Mariners are a bit toolefty-heavy, so I'd prefer to see Bruce go. I just have Vogelbach fever and don't want to see any more DNPs for the red-hot hitter. Vogelbach is hitting .327/.472/.836 in 72 PA. He's historically had issues versus LHP, though in seven PA against them this year, his OPS is 1.229. Obviously, that won't continue, but getting something for Bruce, who has nine home runs and some trade value, would make a lot of sense.

San Francisco Giants – Blow it up and stop playing old guys

New President Farhan Zaidi seems very likely to blow this thing up in July, as he realizes he inherited an older roster and a decrepit farm system. He also doesn't have ties to guys like Madison Bumgarner, who should be the first domino to fall. Other guys who should go include the .190-hitting Kevin Pillar, closer Will Smith, reliever Mark Melancon, and pretty much anyone else not named Dereck Rodriguez or Buster Posey, who is hitting .227 with one home run and is owed $47 million beyond 2019. So what new faces can we expect to see this year? The team's top three prospects (Marco Luciano, Joey Bart and Heliot Ramos) won't be ready until 2020 and beyond. I expect we will see RHP Shaun Anderson, but he profiles as a back-end-of-the-rotation starter. Chris Shaw will get another look, but he hasn't proven he has the ability to make consistent contact at the Triple-A level. Longtime prospect Tyler Beede is off to a great start in Triple-A (17.2 innings, 2.04 ERA, 14.7 K/9, 4.23 BB/9), but is this real or just a nice start?

St. Louis Cardinals – Sign Dallas Keuchel, move Michael Wacha to the bullpen

Again, I wrote this too early, as Wacha was instead moved to the IL. Daniel Ponce De Leon will fill in for Wacha for now, but Keuchel makes a lot of sense here. Even a $20 million per year salary will keep the Cardinals very much under the competitive-balance tax, though it would take the Cardinals well over $20 million above last year's payroll, so I'm not sure they are willing to go that high. With Jack Flaherty and Miles Mikolas off to slow starts, Adam Wainwright's health always a concern and Carlos Martinez seemingly likely to move to the bullpen, a stabilizing influence such as Keuchel would be welcome.

Tampa Bay Rays – Find room for Nate Lowe

The Rays have had success with one Lowe, so why not another. After going 3-for-4 with his third home run on Sunday, Lowe was up to .308/.455/.596 for Triple-A Durham. This after he hit .340/.444/.606 last year in Double-A. Overall last year, Lowe had 27 home runs, hit .330 and drove in 102 runs. He features excellent plate discipline and shouldn't need a platoon partner after hitting ,.295/.407/.500 against southpaws in Double-A last year. The Rays could have a roster crunch once guys like Matt Duffy (hamstring) and Austin Meadows (thumb) are healthy, but they could recall Lowe to play first base every day, have Ji-Man Choi and Yandy Diaz platoon at DH, and play Diaz at third base against RHP. Brandon Lowe could then play left until Meadows returns, and then the club can re-evaluate. If you're in need of power and have a roster spot to burn, Lowe isn't a bad option.

Texas Rangers – Find a spot for Willie Calhoun

I find it tough to take that with Ronald Guzman (hamstring), Roughned Odor (knee) and Asdrubal Cabrera (shoulder) all nursing injuries, that the team couldn't find room for Calhoun. Why not play Calhoun in LF and Joey Gallo at first base? Now Calhoun isn't killing Triple-A pitching, hitting .250/.342/.438 with three home runs, but isn't this the season, a rebuilding year, to see what they really have in the 24-year-old?

Toronto Blue Jays – Call up Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

This of course is a no-brainer, and according to multiple reports, the callup should happen this weekend at the latest. Our long national nightmare is about over. Vlad will push Brandon Drury to a utility role.

Washington Nationals – Stop playing Brian Dozier

Dozier is a black hole right now in an otherwise excellent Nationals lineup, batting .177/.239/.339. He did homer and draw a walk on Sunday, but Dozier hasn't been very good really since 2017. Howie Kendrick and Wilmer Difo are both better options, but the guy to watch is prospect Carter Kieboom. He's hitting .356/.479/.576 in Triple-A and could be closing in on a promotion. Sure, Kieboom has just 78 games above A-ball, but if you recall with guys like Juan Soto, the Nationals don't hesitate to promote top talent.