Fantasy Fallout: Andrew Miller and Cody Allen drop in fantasy value, Betances benefits

Here are the fantasy implications of RP Andrew Miller being moved from the New York Yankees to the Cleveland Indians.

Season Long Fantasy

Miller, one of the biggest prizes available at this year's trade deadline, is on his way to a Cleveland team loading up for a playoff run. The LHP relief pitcher owns an insane 15.29 K/9 to go along with a 1.39 ERA and a sparkling 0.77 WHIP. But even with his elite strikeout potential, Miller may not assume full-time closing duties in Cleveland - the prospect Miller owners yearned for.

With LHP Miller and RHP Cody Allen set up to dominate the final innings in Cleveland, it may make the most sense for manager Terry Francona to employ a matchup-based strategy rather than give either Miller or Allen full-time duties. That would mute both Miller and Allen's fantasy value.

Though it was only for a brief moment, Miller was set to become New York's closer after last week's trade of Aroldis Chapman. After Chapman was moved, Miller even registered back-to-back saves on July 25-26. For Miller owners, this situation now serves as a "what could have been" scenario.

For Allen owners, the Cleveland closer had been a steady source of fantasy value this season. With 20 saves, a 11.32 K/9, 2.58 ERA, and 1.08 WHIP, Allen was in the midst of returning value for those that selected him midway through their drafts back in March or April.

However, his fantasy value could take a significant knock as it seems inevitable he hands certain save opportunities over to Miller. As a lefty that registered 36 saves in 2015, Miller offers Francona matchup-based advantages that Allen simply cannot replicate.

Allen is still worth owning in the majority of leagues but expectations need to be tempered. With only 61 games remaining, it may be best to assume Allen finishes with around 25 saves.

The biggest winner in terms of fantasy in this deal may be New York RP Dellin Betances. Originally stuck behind both Chapman and Miller, Betances can now be expected to be the Yankees full-time closer.

Betances is already owned in the vast majority of leagues, but if he is available, he needs to be added immediately. He owns a 15.91 K/9 this season with a 2.50 ERA and 0.99 WHIP.

The only thing holding back Betances' value from sky rocketing in value is the mediocre Yankees team he plays on. Sitting at 52-51 and playing in a tightly-contested A.L. East division will make save opportunities hard to come by.

Other Notes

The two main prospects headed to New York are OF Clint Frazier and LHP Justus Sheffield. Both were top-five prospects in Cleveland. Frazier is 21 years old and has spent this season split between Double-A and Triple-A, while Sheffield plays for the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League. Neither are fantasy relevant in redraft leagues.