I usually preach the idea of trading for value in fantasy baseball, even if it means unbalancing your roster in the process. After all, the MLB season is a marathon, with plenty of twists and turns, and the concept of making your overall roster stronger is usually the best plan. But trading intentions change at this time of year, as it’s time for managers to make moves that address specific category or positional needs.
The players listed below each have a standout category, which makes them good fits to be involved in late July trades.
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Batting Average
Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays
Bichette ranks 32nd in baseball in batting average but second in expected average. His strikeout rate has improved to 16.3%, and he continues to have an outstanding line drive rate (23%). His current .281 average feels like his floor for the stretch run, and with 12 homers and four steals, he hasn’t produced at a level that makes him a coveted asset on the trade market. I could have written in this space about Bichette’s teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who actually leads baseball in xBA, but Bichette will be much easier to acquire on the trade market.
Home Runs
Cal Raleigh, C, Mariners
I know, I know — it’s too obvious to choose the MLB home run leader in this spot. But my reasoning is more about Raleigh’s position than his homer total. The Seattle slugger has hit 21 more round-trippers than any other catcher, which gives his fantasy managers a positional advantage that cannot be provided by any other player. Managers who need to improve in the homer category would be wise to trade their best player for Raleigh while working the waiver wire to find a replacement at a deeper position.
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Willson Contreras, C, Cardinals
Think of Contreras as a much, much cheaper version of Raleigh. The veteran is having a solid season, but the gap between his homer total and expected homer total (-3.7) is larger than that of any player with the exception of Rockies outfielder Jordan Beck. Contreras is already a solid player to add, and he has more upside than most managers realize.
RBI
Geraldo Perdomo, SS, D-backs
Perdomo has been one of this year’s waiver-wire gems, offering balanced production that is highlighted by an RBI total ranking 10th in the majors. The shortstop should continue to drive in runs often, as he regularly hits second or third in a lineup that ranks fourth in scoring. He also benefits from hitting behind speedy table-setter Corbin Carroll. And with just 10 homers and 15 steals, Perdomo should only require a reasonable trade return.
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Runs
Zach Neto, SS, Angels
Neto has become one of the most underrated fantasy assets. Despite opening the season on the injured list and debuting on April 18, the shortstop ranks 13th in runs scored, while making helpful contributions in homers, steals and batting average. As the leadoff hitter in a respectable Angels’ lineup, Neto should be a safe source of runs the rest of the way.
TJ Friedl, OF, Reds
Friedl is a poor man’s version of Neto, and will be cheaper in trade talks. As the leadoff hitter for the Reds, Friedl is steadily moving towards 85-90 runs scored, while making useful-but-unspectacular contributions in other areas. His trade value is minimal, which makes him a great target for those in a tight runs-scored race.
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Stolen Bases
Zach McKinstry, 3B/SS/OF, Tigers
Steals are the easiest category to address without breaking the bank, as there are plenty of players who provide their share of swipes while making minimal contributions elsewhere. I’ll highlight McKinstry, who not only steals bases but has also been having a surprisingly good season at the dish. The utilityman ranks 24th in the majors in steals, but since June 1 he has accumulated the second-best total (13) of any player. And with triple-position eligibility, McKinstry is easy to fit into a lineup.
Xavier Edwards, 2B/SS, Marlins
Edwards has been a fantasy bust this year, as he was among the players most likely to lead baseball in steals; instead, he ranks 19th. And as someone who makes minimal contributions in homers and RBI, Edwards needs plenty of swipes to keep our attention. I see him as a buy-low candidate for those who need to gain ground in steals but don’t have much to spend on the trade market. After all, Edwards still has the wheels that led to 28 steals in the second half of 2024.
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