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When Jacob deGrom is on the mound, he's the best pitcher in baseball. Some may try to argue for Gerrit Cole or Shane Bieber or someone else, but the fact of the matter is, it is deGrom, and it has been for the last four years. And he was looking better than ever at the start of this season, averaging an absurd 99.0 mph with his fastball and racking up an even more absurd 46.1% strikeout rate -- cole is No. 2 in that stat at 40.2%, for comparison's sake. 

The problem is, deGrom isn't currently on the mound. He was scratched from a start last week with side soreness and then had to leave Sunday's return to the rotation due to tightness in his right side. All indications are that this injury is nothing serious, as an MRI showed no structural damage and his stay on the injured list is expected to be a short one. The expectation is deGrom will be back in the rotation sooner than later, without any lingering concerns.

But we can't be sure about that, can we? deGrom might be better than Bieber and Cole and the rest of them, but Bieber and Cole aren't currently hurt. How should you factor that into your rest-of-season expectations? And, is it worth trying to trade for deGrom right now?

On the latter question, I would say yes, but it obviously depends on what you're giving up. I've moved deGrom down in my trade values chart, but he is still a top-12 player rest of season in both points and Roto leagues, so you probably won't get him cheap. If you offered, say, Jose Ramirez for him, that deal might get accepted, and I would view it as a win, certainly. That's what the chart says, after all!

But it's a win I wouldn't feel super confident about. Early-season trends aside, pitchers are, as a population, more prone to injury than hitters. Given the relatively minor nature of this injury, the expectation for deGrom is he's still one of, if not, the best pitchers in baseball. And, his high-end outcome is still higher than any other pitcher's, I would argue -- especially if the Mets actually managed to win some games for him. Acquiring deGrom at even a minor discount right now has the potential to be a big win.

But, if you think about future performance as a range of possible outcomes, deGrom has gone from a range of outcomes heavily clustered around the top five at SP to one where the likeliest outcome is still in that same range, but there's a wider distribution -- visualize a skinny mountain with a very high peak around the top of the SP ranks to a fatter mountain or hill with a peak still around the top of the SP ranks, but slightly lower. 

There are always ways for even the safest-seeming Fantasy players to go wrong, but in deGrom's case, those downside scenarios are more likely now than they were a week ago. This injury could continue to nag at him, or it could even devolve into something more serious if he doesn't heal properly. Or, he could come back from the IL, make every remaining start, but just be a little bit off. Even great pitchers can have slim margins for error, and though I would never expect a healthy deGrom to be anything but must-start, maybe he goes from best-in-league to simply very good. That's not the worst thing in the world, but it would be disappointing. 

I'm not saying you should panic-trade deGrom. And I'm not saying you shouldn't be willing to trade for him, if the right deal presents itself. He's still my No. 3 SP, rest of season, and he's still closer to the top two than the rest of the field. But, he's riskier now. There are more ways things can go wrong for him moving forward.

And having him as the anchor of your team puts you in a more precarious position than you were before. As long as you know all that going into any possible deal 

Here are my updated trade values for Week 7:

H2H Points Trade Values

Player Value Change From Last Week
Shane Bieber, SP, CLE49+1
Gerrit Cole, SP, NYY49+2
Mike Trout, CF, LAA47
Ronald Acuna, CF, ATL47+4
Juan Soto, LF, WAS46
Mookie Betts, RF, LAD46
Jacob deGrom, SP, NYM45-4
Jose Ramirez, 3B, CLE42
Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL41
Bryce Harper, RF, PHI40
Max Scherzer, SP, WAS40+2
Fernando Tatis, SS, SD39+6
Trevor Bauer, SP, LAD38
Trea Turner, SS, WAS38
Yu Darvish, SP, SD38
Trevor Story, SS, COL37
Manny Machado, 3B, SD37
Aaron Nola, SP, PHI36
Lucas Giolito, SP, CHW35
Tyler Glasnow, SP, TB35
Corbin Burnes, SP, MIL34
Francisco Lindor, SS, NYM34
Cody Bellinger, CF, LAD33
Clayton Kershaw, SP, LAD32
Xander Bogaerts, SS, BOS32
Jack Flaherty, SP, STL32
Alex Bregman, 3B, HOU32
Corey Seager, SS, LAD31
Brandon Woodruff, SP, MIL31
Luis Castillo, SP, CIN30-2
Anthony Rendon, 3B, LAA30-2
Lance Lynn, SP, CHW29+3
Walker Buehler, SP, LAD28
Rafael Devers, 3B, BOS28
Kenta Maeda, SP, MIN27
Vladimir Guerrero, 1B, TOR27
Christian Yelich, LF, MIL26-10
Marcell Ozuna, LF, ATL25-2
Nolan Arenado, 3B, STL25-2
Blake Snell, SP, SD25-2
Bo Bichette, SS, TOR25
Aaron Judge, RF, NYY24
Whit Merrifield, RF, KC24
Joe Musgrove, SP, SD24
Ozzie Albies, 2B, ATL23-2
Jose Abreu, 1B, CHW23
Zack Wheeler, SP, PHI23
DJ LeMahieu, 2B, NYY22-2
Tim Anderson, SS, CHW22
Jose Berrios, SP, MIN22
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, TOR22
J.T. Realmuto, C, PHI21
Sandy Alcantara, SP, MIA21
Kyle Tucker, LF, HOU20-1
Zack Greinke, SP, HOU20-1
Kyle Hendricks, SP, CHC20-1
Ketel Marte, 2B, ARI20
Jose Altuve, 2B, HOU20+2
Charlie Morton, SP, ATL19
J.D. Martinez, DH, BOS19+2
Pete Alonso, 1B, NYM18
Nick Castellanos, RF, CIN17
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, STL17
Yordan Alvarez, DH, HOU17
Ian Anderson, SP, ATL17
Giancarlo Stanton, DH, NYY17+3
Nelson Cruz, DH, MIN16
Josh Hader, RP, MIL16
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC16
Sonny Gray, SP, CIN16+2
Julio Urias, SP, LAD16+2
Kris Bryant, 3B, CHC16+3
George Springer, CF, TOR15-5
Austin Meadows, LF, TB15-2
Trent Grisham, CF, SD15
Matt Olson, 1B, OAK15+1
Pablo Lopez, SP, MIA15+1
Luke Voit, 1B, NYY15+4
Shohei Ohtani, DH, LAA15+8
Michael Conforto, RF, NYM14
Zac Gallen, SP, ARI14
Liam Hendriks, RP, CHW14
Max Muncy, 1B, LAD14
Carlos Correa, SS, HOU14
Dustin May, SP, LAD14
Charlie Blackmon, RF, COL13-2
Gleyber Torres, SS, NYY13-2
Dylan Bundy, SP, LAA13-1
Max Fried, SP, ATL13
Lance McCullers, SP, HOU13
Edwin Diaz, RP, NYM13
Eugenio Suarez, 3B, CIN12-1
Cavan Biggio, 2B, TOR12-1
Aroldis Chapman, RP, NYY12
Kevin Gausman, SP, SF12
Tyler Mahle, SP, CIN12
Trevor Rogers, SP, MIA12
Starling Marte, CF, MIA11-4
Jesus Luzardo, SP, OAK11-3
Dansby Swanson, SS, ATL11-2
Jeff McNeil, LF, NYM11-1
John Means, SP, BAL11+7
Lourdes Gurriel, LF, TOR10-1
Salvador Perez, C, KC10
Willson Contreras, C, CHC10
Mike Yastrzemski, RF, SF10
Alex Verdugo, RF, BOS10
Freddy Peralta, RP, MIL10+3
Jarred Kelenic, CF, SEA10+8
Randy Arozarena, LF, TB9-5
Eddie Rosario, LF, CLE9-1
Brandon Lowe, 2B, TB9-1
Javier Baez, SS, CHC9
Teoscar Hernandez, RF, TOR9
Matt Chapman, 3B, OAK9
Wil Myers, RF, SD9
Raisel Iglesias, RP, LAA9
Mike Moustakas, 2B, CIN9
Rhys Hoskins, 1B, PHI9
Kenley Jansen, RP, LAD9
Carlos Rodon, SP, CHW9
Mitch Haniger, RF, SEA9+4
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS8
Michael Brantley, DH, HOU8
Aaron Civale, SP, CLE8
Joey Gallo, RF, TEX8
Joey Votto, 1B, CIN8
Yasmani Grandal, C, CHW8
Carlos Santana, 1B, KC8
Jose Urquidy, SP, HOU8
Craig Kimbrel, RP, CHC8
Zach Plesac, SP, CLE8+1
Yoan Moncada, 3B, CHW8+1
Eduardo Rodriguez, SP, BOS8+1
Marcus Stroman, SP, NYM8+2
Zach Eflin, SP, PHI8+3
Byron Buxton, CF, MIN7-3
Frankie Montas, SP, OAK7
Eric Hosmer, 1B, SD7
Gio Urshela, 3B, NYY7
Will Smith, C, LAD7
Josh Donaldson, 3B, MIN7
Alec Bohm, 3B, PHI7
Marco Gonzales, SP, SEA7
Chris Paddack, SP, SD7
Mark Melancon, RP, SD7
Emmanuel Clase, RP, CLE7
Dylan Carlson, RF, STL7
Jesse Winker, LF, CIN7+3
Jared Walsh, 1B, LAA7+4
Jameson Taillon, SP, NYY6
Dallas Keuchel, SP, CHW6
Max Kepler, RF, MIN6
Yusei Kikuchi, SP, SEA6
Jorge Soler, DH, KC6
Anthony Santander, RF, BAL6+3
German Marquez, SP, COL5-2
Matt Barnes, RP, BOS5
Michael Pineda, SP, MIN5
Diego Castillo, RP, TB5
Ryan Pressly, RP, HOU5
Trey Mancini, RF, BAL5
Franmil Reyes, DH, CLE5
Christian Vazquez, C, BOS5
Marcus Semien, SS, TOR5
Hector Neris, RP, PHI5
Adam Wainwright, SP, STL5
Yermin Mercedes, DH, CHW5
Jazz Chisholm, 2B, MIA5+3
Jake McGee, RP, SF5
Justin Turner, 3B, LAD5+3
Ryan McMahon, 2B, COL5+3
Tommy Pham, LF, SD4-3
Adalberto Mondesi, SS, KC4
Dominic Smith, 1B, NYM4
Sixto Sanchez, SP, MIA4
Andrew Heaney, SP, LAA4
Will Smith, RP, ATL4
Alex Reyes, RP, STL4
Framber Valdez, SP, HOU4+2
Wander Franco, SS, TB4+2
Sean Manaea, SP, OAK4+4
Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, PIT3-4
Carlos Carrasco, SP, NYM3-3
Josh Bell, 1B, WAS3-2
Ramon Laureano, CF, OAK3
Griffin Canning, SP, LAA3
Tommy Edman, 3B, STL3
Jorge Polanco, SS, MIN3
Mark Canha, RF, OAK3
Nick Madrigal, 2B, CHW3
Jordan Montgomery, SP, NYY3
Alex Kirilloff, RF, MIN3
Kolten Wong, 2B, MIL3
Alex Wood, SP, SF3
Michael Kopech, SP, CHW3
Anthony DeSclafani, SP, SF3
Cesar Valdez, RP, BAL3+3
Corey Kluber, SP, NYY3+1
Andrew Benintendi, LF, KC3+2
Didi Gregorius, SS, PHI3+2
Willie Calhoun, DH, TEX3+3
Shohei Ohtani, P, LAA3
Cedric Mullins, CF, BAL3+3
Danny Duffy, SP, KC3+3
Shane McClanahan, RP, TB3+3
Nico Hoerner, 2B, CHC3+3
Patrick Corbin, SP, WAS2-3
Kyle Schwarber, LF, WAS2-1
Dinelson Lamet, SP, SD2
Mike Soroka, SP, ATL2-1
Clint Frazier, RF, NYY2
Tony Gonsolin, SP, LAD2
Brady Singer, SP, KC2
A.J. Pollock, LF, LAD2
Brad Hand, RP, WAS2
Yimi Garcia, RP, MIA2
Ryan Mountcastle, LF, BAL2
Austin Riley, 3B, ATL2
Jed Lowrie, 2B, OAK2
J.D. Davis, 3B, NYM2
Kole Calhoun, RF, ARI2
Aaron Hicks, CF, NYY2
Jake Cronenworth, 2B, SD2
Nick Solak, LF, TEX2
Gavin Lux, 2B, LAD2
Drew Smyly, SP, ATL2
Domingo German, SP, NYY2
Nick Senzel, CF, CIN2+1
Luis Severino, SP, NYY2+2
Noah Syndergaard, SP, NYM2+2
Yuli Gurriel, 1B, HOU2+2
Jesus Aguilar, 1B, MIA2+2
Carson Kelly, C, ARI2+2

Roto Trade Values 

Player Value Change From Last Week
Ronald Acuna, CF, ATL42
Mookie Betts, RF, LAD42
Mike Trout, CF, LAA41
Juan Soto, LF, WAS41
Shane Bieber, SP, CLE39
Trea Turner, SS, WAS39
Gerrit Cole, SP, NYY39+2
Fernando Tatis, SS, SD39+3
Jose Ramirez, 3B, CLE38
Jacob deGrom, SP, NYM37-4
Trevor Story, SS, COL36
Bryce Harper, RF, PHI36
Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL34
Max Scherzer, SP, WAS33+2
Manny Machado, 3B, SD32
Francisco Lindor, SS, NYM32
Yu Darvish, SP, SD31
Trevor Bauer, SP, LAD31
Lucas Giolito, SP, CHW29
Tyler Glasnow, SP, TB29
Corbin Burnes, SP, MIL29
Aaron Nola, SP, PHI28
Xander Bogaerts, SS, BOS28
Corey Seager, SS, LAD28
Cody Bellinger, CF, LAD27
Clayton Kershaw, SP, LAD27
Anthony Rendon, 3B, LAA26
Alex Bregman, 3B, HOU26
Jack Flaherty, SP, STL26
Tim Anderson, SS, CHW25
Walker Buehler, SP, LAD25
Brandon Woodruff, SP, MIL25
Whit Merrifield, RF, KC25
Vladimir Guerrero, 1B, TOR25
Christian Yelich, LF, MIL24-10
Luis Castillo, SP, CIN24-2
Rafael Devers, 3B, BOS24
Bo Bichette, SS, TOR23
Kyle Tucker, LF, HOU23-1
Ozzie Albies, 2B, ATL22-2
Marcell Ozuna, LF, ATL22-2
J.D. Martinez, DH, BOS22+2
Lance Lynn, SP, CHW22+3
Byron Buxton, CF, MIN21-4
Nolan Arenado, 3B, STL21-2
Kenta Maeda, SP, MIN21
Jose Abreu, 1B, CHW21
Jose Altuve, 2B, HOU21+2
DJ LeMahieu, 2B, NYY20-2
Aaron Judge, RF, NYY20
J.T. Realmuto, C, PHI20
Pete Alonso, 1B, NYM20
Joe Musgrove, SP, SD20
Zac Gallen, SP, ARI20
Ketel Marte, 2B, ARI19
Zack Wheeler, SP, PHI19
Adalberto Mondesi, SS, KC18-4
Blake Snell, SP, SD18-2
Nelson Cruz, DH, MIN18
Giancarlo Stanton, DH, NYY18+3
Kris Bryant, 3B, CHC18+3
Starling Marte, CF, MIA17-4
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, TOR17
Nick Castellanos, RF, CIN17
Yordan Alvarez, DH, HOU17
Trent Grisham, CF, SD17
Sandy Alcantara, SP, MIA17
Matt Olson, 1B, OAK17+1
Josh Hader, RP, MIL16
Liam Hendriks, RP, CHW16
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, STL16
Jose Berrios, SP, MIN16
Edwin Diaz, RP, NYM16
Julio Urias, SP, LAD16+2
Austin Meadows, LF, TB15-2
Kyle Hendricks, SP, CHC15-1
Zack Greinke, SP, HOU15-1
Dustin May, SP, LAD15
Pablo Lopez, SP, MIA15+1
Luke Voit, 1B, NYY15+4
Shohei Ohtani, DH, LAA15+8
George Springer, CF, TOR14-5
Lourdes Gurriel, LF, TOR14-1
Michael Conforto, RF, NYM14
Aroldis Chapman, RP, NYY14
Teoscar Hernandez, RF, TOR14
Charlie Morton, SP, ATL14
Trevor Rogers, SP, MIA14
Gleyber Torres, SS, NYY13-2
Charlie Blackmon, RF, COL13-2
Eddie Rosario, LF, CLE13-1
Javier Baez, SS, CHC13
Carlos Correa, SS, HOU13
Ian Anderson, SP, ATL13
Max Muncy, 1B, LAD13
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC13
Ramon Laureano, CF, OAK13
Alex Verdugo, RF, BOS13
Sonny Gray, SP, CIN13+2
Jarred Kelenic, CF, SEA13+8
Randy Arozarena, LF, TB12-5
Jeff McNeil, LF, NYM12-1
Yoan Moncada, 3B, CHW12
Matt Chapman, 3B, OAK12
Mike Moustakas, 2B, CIN12
Max Fried, SP, ATL12
Joey Gallo, RF, TEX12
Willson Contreras, C, CHC12
Salvador Perez, C, KC12
Kenley Jansen, RP, LAD12
Craig Kimbrel, RP, CHC12
Carlos Rodon, SP, CHW12+3
Eugenio Suarez, 3B, CIN11-1
Cavan Biggio, 2B, TOR11-1
Brandon Lowe, 2B, TB11-1
Dylan Bundy, SP, LAA11-1
Lance McCullers, SP, HOU11
Raisel Iglesias, RP, LAA11
John Means, SP, BAL11+7
Dansby Swanson, SS, ATL10-2
Wil Myers, RF, SD10
Brad Hand, RP, WAS10
Tyler Mahle, SP, CIN10
Dylan Carlson, RF, STL10
Jared Walsh, 1B, LAA10+4
Mitch Haniger, RF, SEA10+4
Jesus Luzardo, SP, OAK9-3
Gio Urshela, 3B, NYY9
Michael Brantley, DH, HOU9
Marcus Semien, SS, TOR9
Rhys Hoskins, 1B, PHI9
Freddy Peralta, RP, MIL9
Zach Eflin, SP, PHI9+5
Eric Hosmer, 1B, SD8
Victor Robles, CF, WAS8
Ryan Pressly, RP, HOU8
Franmil Reyes, DH, CLE8
Will Smith, C, LAD8
Aaron Civale, SP, CLE8
Joey Votto, 1B, CIN8
Kevin Gausman, SP, SF8
Mark Melancon, RP, SD8
Jose Urquidy, SP, HOU8
Zach Plesac, SP, CLE8+1
Justin Turner, 3B, LAD8+3
Jazz Chisholm, 2B, MIA8+3
Eduardo Rodriguez, SP, BOS8+3
Jesse Winker, LF, CIN8+3
Marcus Stroman, SP, NYM8+4
Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, PIT7-4
Alex Reyes, RP, STL7
Yasmani Grandal, C, CHW7
Jorge Soler, DH, KC7
Alec Bohm, 3B, PHI7 -2
Dominic Smith, 1B, NYM7
Josh Donaldson, 3B, MIN7
Trey Mancini, RF, BAL7
Will Smith, RP, ATL7
Emmanuel Clase, RP, CLE7
Didi Gregorius, SS, PHI7+2
Anthony Santander, RF, BAL7+3
Ryan McMahon, 2B, COL7+3
Tommy Pham, LF, SD6-3
Mike Yastrzemski, RF, SF6 -3
Shohei Ohtani, P, LAA6
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS6
Tommy Edman, 3B, STL6
Christian Vazquez, C, BOS6
Ryan Mountcastle, LF, BAL6
Diego Castillo, RP, TB6
Nick Madrigal, 2B, CHW6
Max Kepler, RF, MIN6
Jake McGee, RP, SF6
Kolten Wong, 2B, MIL6
Wander Franco, SS, TB6+2
Cesar Valdez, RP, BAL6+3
Luis Robert, CF, CHW5-18
German Marquez, SP, COL5-2
Matt Barnes, RP, BOS5
Chris Paddack, SP, SD5
Jameson Taillon, SP, NYY5
Andrew Heaney, SP, LAA5
Alex Kirilloff, RF, MIN5
Yermin Mercedes, DH, CHW5
Yusei Kikuchi, SP, SEA5+1
Nick Senzel, CF, CIN5+1
Framber Valdez, SP, HOU5+2
Andrew Benintendi, LF, KC5+2
Sean Manaea, SP, OAK5+4
Cedric Mullins, CF, BAL5+5
Kyle Lewis, CF, SEA4-2
Buster Posey, C, SF4
Frankie Montas, SP, OAK4
Michael Pineda, SP, MIN4
Clint Frazier, RF, NYY4
Marco Gonzales, SP, SEA4
Mike Soroka, SP, ATL4
A.J. Pollock, LF, LAD4
Alex Colome, RP, MIN4
Kyle Schwarber, LF, WAS4
Jake Cronenworth, 2B, SD4
Mark Canha, RF, OAK4
Nick Solak, LF, TEX4
Dallas Keuchel, SP, CHW4
Hector Neris, RP, PHI4
Gavin Lux, 2B, LAD4
Adam Wainwright, SP, STL4
Corey Kluber, SP, NYY4+1
Garrett Hampson, CF, COL4+4
Josh Rojas, 2B, ARI4+2
Jesus Aguilar, 1B, MIA4+4
Nate Lowe, 1B, TEX4
Alex Wood, SP, SF4
Danny Duffy, SP, KC4
Carlos Carrasco, SP, NYM3-3
Gary Sanchez, C, NYY3-3
Carson Kelly, C, ARI3
Carlos Santana, 1B, KC3
Austin Riley, 3B, ATL3
Jorge Polanco, SS, MIN3
Miguel Sano, 1B, MIN3
Yimi Garcia, RP, MIA3
J.D. Davis, 3B, NYM3
Drew Smyly, SP, ATL3
Jo Adell, RF, LAA3+1
Yuli Gurriel, 1B, HOU3+2
Luis Severino, SP, NYY3+2
Noah Syndergaard, SP, NYM3+2
Myles Straw, CF, HOU3+3
Willie Calhoun, DH, TEX3+3
Randal Grichuk, CF, TOR3
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 3B, TEX3+1
Chris Taylor, LF, LAD3
Ian Kennedy, RP, TEX3
Dylan Cease, SP, CHW3
Anthony DeSclafani, SP, SF3
Michael Kopech, SP, CHW3
Ian Happ, CF, CHC2-6
Dylan Moore, LF, SEA2-4
Josh Bell, 1B, WAS2-2
Triston McKenzie, SP, CLE2-2
Tony Gonsolin, SP, LAD2
Wilson Ramos, C, DET2
Jurickson Profar, LF, SD2
Victor Reyes, CF, DET2
Yadier Molina, C, STL2
Ty France, 2B, SEA2
Jed Lowrie, 2B, OAK2
Brady Singer, SP, KC2
Jordan Montgomery, SP, NYY2
Elieser Hernandez, SP, MIA2
Eduardo Escobar, 3B, ARI2
Andrew Vaughn, 1B, CHW2
Aaron Hicks, CF, NYY2
James Karinchak, RP, CLE2
C.J. Cron, 1B, COL2
Sixto Sanchez, SP, MIA2
Andres Gimenez, SS, CLE2
Leody Taveras, CF, TEX2
Amir Garrett, RP, CIN2
Paul DeJong, SS, STL2
Raimel Tapia, LF, COL2
Brian Anderson, 3B, MIA2
Jean Segura, 2B, PHI2
Griffin Canning, SP, LAA2
Ha-seong Kim, SS, SD2
Kole Calhoun, RF, ARI2
Domingo German, SP, NYY2
Kendall Graveman, RP, SEA2+1
Chris Sale, SP, BOS2+1
Adolis Garcia, LF, TEX2
Taylor Rogers, RP, MIN2
Shane McClanahan, RP, TB2
Steven Matz, SP, TOR2