MUSGROVE MOVED TO SAN DIEGO
In a three-team trade, the San Diego Padres acquired pitcher Joe Musgrove from the Pittsburgh Pirates; the New York Mets acquired pitcher Joey Lucchesi from the Padres; and Pittsburgh acquired outfielder Hudson Head and pitchers Omar Cruz, David Bednar and Drake Fellows from the Padres, and catcher Endy Rodriguez from the Mets.
What does it give the San Diego Padres
The Padres have been arguably the most active MLB franchise this off-season, so Musgrove is merely the latest addition to the new-look squad. He joins fellow newcomers Blake Snell and Yu Darvish at the top of the starting rotation. San Diego's pitching staff should be greatly improved in 2021, thanks mainly to the trades made by GM A.J. Preller.
What does it give the New York Mets
For the Mets, adding Lucchesi should help their own starting rotation this season. He figures to compete for the fifth spot with fellow left-hander Steven Matz, right-hander Seth Lugo and others behind ace Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Carlos Carrasco and Marcus Stroman. Health is a concern for several of New York's rotation members, so the added depth also helps.
What does it give the
The Pirates are clearly not close to contender status at present time, so the team wisely chose to move out Musgrove and came away with five prospects in return. Head is likely the best of the bunch, although he is probably several years away from Pittsburgh. Cruz might move quickly up the ranks, while Rodriguez and Fellows are more long-range prospects. Bednar might crack the Bucs bullpen in 2021.
Fantasy impact
Pitching in San Diego is usually good for hurlers, so expect Musgrove to at least match his 2020 numbers with his new club. He will likely be selected a lot higher in most league drafts now that he is moved to a contender, so do not overrate him. He still belongs in the middle rounds of most league formats. Lucchesi has marginal value because he is not a lock to become a starter for the Mets. Head is definitely a player to be picked relatively early in deep keeper formats, while the other prospects acquired by the Pirates in this transaction are more of the wait-and-see variety.
