Cubs’ new infielder could bolster lineup

One of the biggest mistakes in trading Fantasy Baseball Manager The make often targets top players.

Need power? I’d try to trade for Aaron Judge. Struggling to throw the ball? Let’s see if I can get Tarik Skubal.

Although these players are top players, it costs a lot of money to get them, and most coaches end up taking the approach of “robbing Peter to pay Paul”.

You need to learn from this year’s MLB general managers, who mostly kept their big-name players instead of selling them off.

Instead, everyone made small trades to bolster their rosters in preparation for the playoffs, just as you should in fantasy leagues.

If you’re looking for power, look to the Cubs’ new third baseman, Isaac Paredes.

Paredes has hit 16 home runs this season and has a career independent batting average of .204, and his numbers are expected to steadily improve in the second half of the year.

The stadium factor alone, from Tropicana Field to Wrigley Field, is very favorable.

The left field line may be 355 feet at Wrigley Field and only 315 feet in Tampa Bay, but the wall from left to center is about 10-15 feet closer to home plate in Chicago, and as a pull hitter, Paredes’ power numbers should go up.

You can’t ignore the intangibles, either. Imagine playing home games in front of seven people in a hollow echo chamber for the past two years, and now you’re staring at the ivy-covered outfield wall while more than 40,000 people cheer you on at every at-bat.

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The Cubs may have a tough journey in the wild-card race, but their rabid fans won’t stay quiet until they are mathematically eliminated.

Given Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s improved power and increased positional eligibility, you might want to set your sights a little lower in the outfield.

While the Guardians sent several promising players to the Nationals, they added outfielder Lane Thomas, who was severely underrated this season, hitting eight home runs and stealing 28 bases.

Thomas now plays second in Cleveland’s lineup, with leadoff hitter Steven Kwan bringing base traffic to him and Jose Ramirez providing elite lineup protection behind him.

Thomas won’t win you a league on his own, but his contribution might be better than the worst outfielder on your roster.

With time still available before your fantasy trade deadline, it’s important to evaluate your roster and figure out what your biggest need is, and how much you can spend to fill that need.

Don’t think you need to trade those elite players who are dominating the leaderboard.

There’s nothing wrong with making some small tweaks to get what you need.

There’s nothing wrong with getting a championship through more affordable means.

Howard Bender is FantasyAlarm.com Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy You can also listen to him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com Providing you with all your fantasy baseball news and advice.