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.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, Washington Nationals
If there's two types of players owners should be weary of trading for, it's injured pitchers and ones performing to career-worst results. Then again, when else would a pitcher of Strasburg's caliber be available? Fresh off his second DL stint in as many months, Strasburg's stock is currently at an all-time low. That he allowed more runs than innings pitched in May certainly doesn't help. But beyond the ankle sprain, trap strain, and oblique pain is an immensely talented right-hander who allowed just two runs and struck out 18 in 15 2/3 dominant innings between trips to the DL in June. There's been no indication Strasburg's injuries or earlier struggles were the result of structural damage in his elbow or shoulder, and that alone should make him a popular buy-low candidate for the next 15 days or so.
Ian Desmond, SS, Washington Nationals
Sticking with the Nationals, how about Desmond? Yes, the Nationals shortstop has been awful - but so has the position in general. Desmond's weighted runs created (wRC+) is 39 percent below league average, though it's not as far off the underwhelming shortstop average (83 wRC+) as one might think. Qualifiers aside, to say Desmond is struggling would be a massive understatement. He ranks last or second-to-last among shortstops in just about every meaningful offensive category outside of home runs, and his sub-.600 OPS is waiver wire material. But we're also talking about a player who hit 69 homers and stole 66 bases over the last three seasons, and whose batting average on balls in play is more than 40 points below his career average. Desmond will cost more than he should on name and potential alone, but not nearly as much as his pre-season draft position would indicate.
Carlos Gomez, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Gomez's isolated power (one of the most reliable predictors of future performance) has taken a nosedive this year, so much so that if his owner has taken notice of said statistic, the Brewers outfielder could probably be had for a lower tier closer. That won't happen and it's also more than likely his ISO and subsequent numbers are due for an imminent correction. Gomez has been victim to a litany of injuries this season, and although durability has to be factored into any roster decision-making, it's safe to assume it's stalled his production. The swing-happy center fielder is chasing even more pitches out of the zone and walking fewer times than previous seasons, suggesting his dip in power is partly due to poor plate discipline (which, theoretically, is easier to correct than an erosion of skill). His 47-homer, 74-steal output since 2013 puts him in an elite class, which means if you can get him for an overachieving starter, it's a deal worth exploring.