Bernie on the Scene: Middle-Infield Trade Targets

This is my second of four article on undervalued trade pieces. 

I think now is the time to shore up fantasy benches and strengthen your fantasy team for the rest of the season.

This week I look at middle infielders. I will also feature outfielders and pitchers in the final two articles.

I have targeted players I believe can bring depth and value to your team. I do think each will get at-bats, which is what we need for our fantasy offenses. I also believe each can be obtained at a fairly low trade cost.

Middle-Infield Trade Targets

Jose Iglesias, SS, Angels
Age 31
BR
Lineup Position: 7th

For me, Iglesias is one of the best kept secrets in fantasy baseball. With so many highly regarded shortstops in the game, Iglesias is often forgotten. However, in recent years he has shown to be a valuable fantasy piece with a good batting average based upon solid contact.

In the short 2020 season, Iglesias hit .373/.400/.556/.956 for the Orioles.

It was his low strikeout rate that first attracted me to Iglesias. In today's game, putting the ball in play and making contact are becoming rare feats. In the last week, Iglesias has returned to the form I saw last year. He won't hit for much home run power, but he can hit the gaps with doubles and get on base with his all out effort. 

I just think Iglesias can help your club, either from being available on your bench or in your starting lineup.

David Fletcher, 2B/SS/3B/OF, Angels
Age 26
BR
Lineup Position: 1st

Fletcher is worth his weight in gold on a fantasy team. Why? Simply put, Fletcher is a very solid Swiss Army Knife capable of playing all over the diamond. And the Angels will deploy him where needed. Check your league to see where he is eligible, and remember that he could gain additional eligibility as the season moves along.

Fletcher is in the valued leadoff roll. That means at-bats. He's a table setter. He could score plenty of runs with a lineup that features Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon (when healthy).

Fletcher has not had a great start, and his price tag may be acceptable to you. He's hitting in the .250/260/.530 range. That likely will improve.

I do think he'll score runs. I do think he'll get extra-base hits. And I so think you'll see a few stolen bases as well. He's a solid player and can make a good edition to your team.

Miguel Rojas, SS/1B/3B, Marlins
Age 32
BR
Lineup Position: 2nd

Another versatile player with the potential to have multiple position availability in your league, Rojas is quietly under the radar as a clutch hitter.

Playing on a weak offense in Miami, Rojas' opportunities to drive in runs might be limited. However, he's a solid hitter with some gap pop in his bat.  It isn't often that a .300 hitter is so overlooked in fantasy, but that's Rojas. He is very capable, and has hit .300 or better.

His lineup position is ideal, even on a bad hitting club. He'll be a candidate to steal some bases and force the opposition into making errors. That's one way his team may be able to put points on the board. I think he'll score some runs.

Don't look for home runs from Rojas. Look for excellent contact, fewer strikeouts than the norm we are seeing, and an ability to make things happen.

Jorge Polanco, SS, Twins
Age 27
BB
Lineup Position: 5th

People often forget about Polanco, but he's still a solid fantasy shortstop option. Basically, he can hit. His position in the lineup gives him RBI chances, and he has some power. We just haven't seen that power yet this year, and that's why he might be available.

Polanco plays on a club that can hit. They haven't yet, but they will score runs. He will be in the middle of that surge. 

Polanco does strike out some, but not at an alarming rate. And he may sneak in a few stolen bases to help you out in that department.

I look for gap doubles and some big home runs as the weather warms and he heats up along with his Twins teammates.

Willi Castro, SS/2B, Tigers
Age 23
BB
Lineup Position: 2nd

The Indians made a mistake when they traded Castro to Detroit. He has always been able to hit. So far, he's off to a slow start, but he'll get it going.

Because he's a switch hitter, it isn't likely they'll put his bat on the bench. He'll get his at-bats and make the most of each situation.

Castro is off to a miserable start, which could make him available to you in trade. He won't offer much in the way of power, but he should be able to hit the gaps and potentially score some runs. That's what he would add to your team — an ability to score some runs.

While Castro isn't the type of guy I would overpay to roster, he's a quality hitter at a position stacked with stars. He gets overlooked. Just keep him around and use him when your better-hitting shortstop gets hurt.

Cesar Hernandez, 2B, Indians
Age 30
BB
Lineup Position: 2nd

On a dreadful offense, Hernandez has hit the ball very hard, with little to show for his efforts. I think those hard hit line drives will start falling.

Bat control is Hernandez' greatest asset. He puts the ball in play to all fields and is never benched. I look for Jose Ramirez to start hitting, which means Hernandez could score some runs.

Hernandez is one of the few Indians players capable of stealing a base and getting in scoring position. But while he may be capable, don't trade for him to increase your stolen base numbers. For some reason, he doesn't run enough. I hope that changes. He could come to life soon, and reward your fantasy team.

And who knows, because he costs more than $1M, the Indians might look to trade him to a better offensive club.

Sheldon Neuse, 2B, Dodgers
Age 26
BR
Lineup Position: 8th

Zach McKinstry, 2B, Dodgers
Age 26
BL
Lineup Position: 8th

Neuse and McKinstry might be available on your waiver wire, costing you nothing in trade. I like McKinstry better, but he might not be on the wire any longer.

Taking the place of Gavin Lux as part of a platoon, Neuse and teammate Zach McKinstry are seeing at-bats for the Dodgers — a tremendous club that scores runs.

McKinstry has started off with a bang, Neuse not as loudly. Both can hit, and both need chances to play. McKinstry will get most of the bats as the left-handed hitter.

However, if Neuse is on your waiver wire, he may be worth the flier.

McKinstry has more home run power. Neuse is an under-valued hitter I have always felt capable of playing third base or second.

McKinstry is now on the injured list with an oblique strain. But hopefully, that shouldn't keep him out too long.

Take a chance on either of them and see how they develop. Just don't overpay.

Tommy La Stella, 2B/1B/3B, Giants
Age 32
BL
Position in Lineup: 1st

La Stella could end up playing anywhere for the Giants. He's the ultimate versatile player capable of getting on base and scoring runs.

La Stella has been around a long time, but he can still hit. He may platoon at several positions, but I see him getting plenty of at-bats. That matters.

Don't look for an abundance of power or speed, but he can make excellent contact, put the ball in the gaps and score some runs. I wouldn't say he's an ideal fantasy option, but I have found a need for him in NL-only leagues and in deep mixed leagues.

La Stella will come in handy as a spare part for you to roster when needed, without costing you a quality player in return.

HEADING HOME

It isn't only your fantasy team that isn't hitting. Only the Red Sox, the Angels, Reds and White Sox are hitting above .250 as a team. The Twins are hovering around that figure. Bats are in a deep freeze. Hitters are trying to pound the ball out of the park.

• There is a reason I took Jacob deGrom at 1-5 and 1-6 in two leagues. The guy is amazing. And he can hit. Maybe his Friday victory will spark more of the same.

• It is becoming increasingly clear that the changeup is the one pitch that can keep a hitter off balance while changing his eye level. So many swings-and-misses take place from the changeup. In my opinion, the changeup is the single greatest reason for the rise in strikeouts the last few years.

• Ohio representative Jim Jordan has written a letter to MLB requiring an answer regarding MLB moving the All-Star Game out of Atlanta. He wants to know why it happened? Interesting. Watch that story carefully. It's a mess. Coveted government exceptions and exemptions are at stage.

• We've seen some great pitching, and some close calls on no-hitters. I don't know how impressed I am. Hitting is in the tank for a lot of clubs.

• I hated seeing both Mike Trout and Ronald Acuna sidelined with injuries during the last week. Two of the greatest hitters in the game couldn't suit up. And they both probably were very reluctant to sit out even an inning.

• Friends who know tell me there are several smaller market MLB teams are for sale, but new owners are hesitant to buy in with labor uncertainty and COVID restrictions still prominent.

• Thanks for following me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff and reading my work at Forbes.com.