Justin Turner's first home run of the season
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Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer: Players to acquire before the deadline who could help in all major stat categories
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. 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. 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. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] 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. 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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19 minutes ago
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New Orleans Saints training camp, Day 1: Highlights, practice notes, and news
New Orleans Saints training camp began in earnest on Wednesday, July 23, with the team's first real practice session, and we've got your one-stop shop to keep up with all of the updates and highlights from the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. It's been an eventful week already with surprise retirements of Pro Bowl safety Tyrann Mathieu and second-year tight end Dallin Holker, but the Saints are just getting started. This team is full of unknown quantities under first-year head coach Kellen Moore, though he's already earned the respect of his players. Here is everything we learned from the first day of practice: Injury report The only absences spotted on Wednesday were expected; tight end Foster Moreau and does-it-all utilityman Taysom Hill were both unavailable. They're each returning from 2024 knee injuries and started camp on the physically unable to perform list (PUP). Hill and Moreau can be activated as soon as they can pass a physical, but the team isn't rushing them back to action. Kellen Moore takes the stage The Who Dat Nation makes themselves heard Offense tries playing defense, defense gets to play offense This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Highlights and notes from Day 1 at New Orleans Saints training camp
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19 minutes ago
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Malik Nabers is 'ready to go' for Giants training camp: Daboll
Finally, some good news for the New York Giants. Wide receiver Malik Nabers has been cleared to practice at training camp and is expected to be a full participant, according to head coach Brian Daboll. Nabers had missed all of the Giants' spring practices at OTAs and mandatory minicamp while rehabbing a lingering toe injury. The toe issue first arose in college, according to Daboll, but Nabers re-aggravated it last season. The Giants have been particularly cautious with their 2024 first-round pick since then. Daboll has said multiple times this offseason – throughout OTAs and minicamp – that there wasn't any concern that Nabers would miss training camp practices, let alone the start of the season. With Wednesday's announcement making it official, Giants fans can seemingly let out a sigh of relief. Nabers was one of the lone bright spots for the 3-14 Giants as a rookie last year. His 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns all led the team and were impressive feats amid a chaotic situation at quarterback – Big Blue sent out four different starters under center – that unfolded throughout the season. The 109 catches Nabers tallied were more than any other wide receiver in 2024, and his yardage total was the second-most of all rookie pass-catchers (tight ends included). Not only that, but Nabers' 1,204 yards made him the first Giants player to surpass 800 receiving yards in a season since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018. Now that he's officially been declared healthy and a full go for training camp, Nabers will be the clear No. 1 target for starting quarterback Russell Wilson in New York this year. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Malik Nabers injury update: Giants WR 'ready to go'
