Braves Trade For Matt Adams: Fantasy fallout

After losing their first baseman for about three months, the Braves traded for Matt Adams. With consistent playing time, his fantasy value should rise.

The Atlanta Braves suffered a big loss last week as their first baseman Freddie Freeman will be out around three months with a fractured wrist. He was having a career year with 14 home runs and a .341 average. Now that he won’t return until the end of August, the Braves needed to make a move.

The team signed James Loney to a minor league contract. With few replacements within the Braves organization, the front office felt they still needed to add someone. This is where Matt Adams comes into play.

Adams was getting little playing time with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was the starting first baseman between 2013 and 2014. But that didn’t last long. Management moved Matt Carpenter to first base as Jhonny Peralta, Kolten Wong and Aledmys Diaz manned the other infield spots.

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Adams was still hitting the ball well last season. In 118 games, he hit 16 home runs, 54 RBI and a .249/.309/.471 line.

With the lack of playing time this season, Adams’ numbers are not too attractive. He has just one home runs with four runs and seven RBI. He is hitting .292 in 48 at-bats. The consistent playing time in Atlanta should help Adams get some of his contact back.

The downside to Adams’ game is that he can’t hit lefties. He has a career .210 average against them while owning a .285 average off righties. I’d still add him but just bench him when the Braves hit against a southpaw.

Of the four stadiums he’ll be spending most of his time with the Braves, three of them don’t favor hitters for power. Nationals Park, Citi Field and Marlins Park rank in the bottom half in home runs. Citizens Bank Park ranks in the top four, but it could be the pitcher’s fault.

The good thing, not to praise an injury, is that Adams will have about three months’ worth of playing time with Atlanta. I wouldn’t add Adams for power but a few RBIs per week and a high average is nothing to scoff at.

Next: Justin Turner lands on 10-day DL

Adams is owned in just 2.3 percent of ESPN leagues. If you are a Freeman owner or need another replacement in deeper leagues, I’d take a flyer on Adams. There are some other first basemen widely available, like a Justin Smoak or Justin Bour, but Adams becomes another starting first baseman, even if it is only until late August.