Fantasy: 3 players to target in a trade

Every Tuesday, we examine three players you should consider targeting by trade in your fantasy league. Analysis based on standard 10-team, 5x5 formats.

This week's list includes a trio of underachieving performers on underachieving teams. Nearly three months into the season, it's important to remember that your only concern should be what a player will do, not what he's already done.

Here are three players you should consider targeting while their value is low:

Jeff Samardzija, SP, Chicago White Sox

Samardzija's struggles this season have been difficult to diagnose, mostly because there isn't a dramatic change in the peripherals he's sported over the last two seasons. Yes, his strikeout rate is down, and he's giving up more hits, but he's also walked batters at a career-low frequency. The biggest discrepancy between Samardzija's success with the Cubs and Athletics and his struggles as a member of the White Sox appears to be pitch usage. He's throwing his splitter and two-seam fastball a lot less than previous seasons, while utilizing his cutter at a career-high rate (it's also been his fourth-most effective swing-and-miss pitch). Perhaps a new team at the deadline will spark a new strategy (and more wins).

Michael Brantley, OF, Cleveland Indians

Don't be fooled by his four home runs and .796 OPS - Brantley still possesses the all-around skill that made him a popular early pick in fantasy leagues this spring. Brantley is unlikely to reach the 200-hit or 20-homer plateau due to nagging injuries and a subsequent dip in isolated power, but that's exactly why you should trade for him. He's still getting on base at an elite clip - he has the fifth-highest OBP among AL outfielders - which indicates the runs and steals should continue to pile up, while his 22 doubles in 65 games suggest there's plenty of extra-base pop in that bat. With no home runs to speak of this month, now's the time to strike.

Carlos Santana, C/1B/3B, Cleveland Indians

Unlike his aforementioned teammate, Santana's struggles aren't all that surprising. The Indians first baseman (and catcher and third baseman, if you're lucky) posted a pair of sub-.700 OPS months to begin last season before carrying fantasy teams in June and July by slugging 14 homers and driving in 35 runs. Santana's lows haven't been that low yet, but the highs haven't been too high, either. He might not have another eight-homer month in him, but given his positional flexibility, it wouldn't hurt to find out if he does.