Bernie on the Scene: Corner Infield Trade Targets

Today begins a time when I believe trades will be proposed in fantasy baseball.

In keeping with the timing, I want to suggest several corner infield targets that might be appealing to fantasy owners. Subsequent articles will deal with different positions.

In my analysis and opinion, many of the players listed below are corner infielders on an upward trend.

Each can be counted upon to improve as the season progresses and as the weather warms.

The list is not exhaustive and does not include players who can be perceived as tougher trade targets, such as Freddie Freeman, etc.

Jeimer Candelario, 3B, Tigers
6-1, 221
BB
Batting Order Position: 3rd

At age 27, switch-hitting  Jeimer Candelario is coming into his prime.

Still under team control until 2024, Candelario can be viewed as an important piece in the Tigers' building plan.

We began to see some real life in Candelario's bat last season, when he hit .297/.369/.503/872 in 206 plate appearances during the short, 60-game season.

Candelario has shown he hits better against left-handed pitching, but we are seeing more and more left-handers as both starters and relievers. He isn't too shabby against righties either, and I trust him regardless of the pitcher on the mound.

The factor I like most about Candelario is his gap power. He's the type of hitter who takes the pitch where it's thrown, barreling the ball to the gaps, and getting his share of doubles. His home run power should increase, and he may equal the 19 he hit in 2018.

In short, the price to trade for Candelario shouldn't be too steep. He isn't elite. He isn't an All-Star. He's just a solid hitter capable of playing aggressive baseball in the manner manager A.J. Hinch is dictating with the improving Tigers.

Hunter Dozier, 3B, Royals
6-4, 220
BR
Batting Order Position: 7th

Dozier was a first-round Royals draft pick in 2013. Fast forward to today, and you'll realize the Royals really believe in this big, strong third baseman. They have signed him through 2024 with a team option for 2025. That means a great deal in baseball. Especially for a club like the Royals.

This spring training, I saw Dozier hit some absolute bombs in Surprise, Ariz. The man is really strong and really powerful.

The Royals are an exciting team. The team chemistry is outstanding. There may be plenty of men on base (Perez, Santana, Soler) when Dozier hits. He'll get his RBI chances.

Kauffman Stadium is a rough place to hit home runs. But the gaps are huge, and that's Dozier's game. He can hit both gaps with his good barrel efficiency and solid contact. He isn't the type of guy who will strike out constantly. Batting average likely will be an issue. But as a player to have on your bench, or as a player who can offer you some power at a relatively low cost in a trade, he's a solid target.

Ryan McMahon, 2B/3B/1B, Rockies
6-2, 219 pounds
BL
Batting Order Position: 2nd

You may find McMahon has wide ranging eligibility in your league. That's one of the factors that makes him attractive to me. I can fill him in at second, first or third. Check your league eligibility for McMahon before pulling the trigger on a trade.

A second-round draft pick in 2013, McMahon is 26 and entering his prime hitting years. His power is emerging, and in a diminished Rockies lineup without Nolan Arenado and a declining Charlie Blackmon, McMahon is becoming important.

We can't forget what a left-handed hitter can do in Coors and at Chase Field in Arizona. Those are two very favorable parks for a guy with a swing like McMahon's. Those park factors must not be discounted when you can trade for an under-the-radar guy who plays for the Rockies and hits left-handed.

McMahon is off to a great start this year, and some fantasy players are totally unaware of it. Believe it or not, west coast based players are often forgotten, even if they hit in Coors.

Don't expect any speed from McMahon. But expect playing time and at-bats. He is only on a one-year contract, so beware of him for keeper leagues. He's still inexpensive, and Rockies brass and ownership love that. I think they'll keep him around for a while.

Rowdy Tellez, 1B/DH, Blue Jays
6-4, 255
BL
Batting Order Position: 7th

Rowdy Tellez is a first baseman being used as a designated hitter to accommodate the move to first for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. However, most leagues still list Tellez at 1B. Check your league before pulling the trigger on a trade.

Tellez is huge. He's bigger than his listed 255. And he can be very dangerous against right-handed pitching. He may continue to be used in a platoon at DH. That said, there will be enough at-bats to make Tellez relevant for your roster.

Remember that Tellez will be playing games in Dunedin, Fla., and Buffalo before the team will get to play in Toronto sometime in late summer. He will also get to hit in Yankee Stadium, which will fit his swing perfectly.

Tellez was a 30th-round draft pick, but that doesn't matter in this case. He has tremendous power. That's his game. However, he is also capable of poking the ball to the opposite field.

Tellez should come inexpensively, as his batting average will be a liability. He is best suited for a roster that has a strong on-base or batting average guy to offset his low batting average potential. But the power can't be denied. He's just that strong.

For a guy like Tellez on a team like Toronto, he will see plenty of RBI chances with hitters like Bichette, Guerrero, Biggio and at some point Springer in the lineup. 

Bobby Dalbec, 3B/1B, Red Sox
6-4, 227 pounds
BR
Batting Order Position: 9th

Dalbec is off to a horrendous start for a hot Red Sox club. He has fallen all the way to ninth in the lineup. The risk is that he may lose his job entirely if he doesn't get going soon.

But I believe in Dalbec. I have seen what he can do with a bat in his right hand. Believe me when I tell you, this man has great power. We just haven't seen it yet this season. I think we will.

Dalbec has an "all or nothing" swing that plays well in Fenway. He can hit monster home runs. Last year he hit eight homers in 92 plate appearances. I'll take that. So far this year … bubkas.

So yes, there is risk involved with Dalbec. But the risk will be rewarded if you get him at a relatively low price in trade. Many people will give up on him. I'm not one of them. Yet.

Still only 25, Dalbec could be a steal for a dynasty or even limited year keeper league.

Eduardo Escobar, 3B/SS/2B, Diamondbacks
5-10, 193 
BB
Batting Order Position: 6th

Truth be told, many fantasy managers may be looking to trade Escobar because he is hot now and on a home run streak, so beware of the price. And swoop in if you can, if the price is low enough.

Escobar is streaky. But he can be a nice addition to your roster. He plays in a very hitter-friendly home park at Chase Field and is in a lineup position that could get plenty of opportunities to drive in runs.

I have seen Escobar go on a tear where he rips the ball to the gaps with ease. But he can also turn stone cold, so yes, there is risk involved.

Now 32, Escobar is at a risky age to think of him long-term. But for this year, I think he can help your roster if you are careful about the player you give up in trade.

MORE EXPENSIVE PLAYERS

These players likely will cost you better players in trade:

Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox
6-0, 240
BL
Batting Order Position: 5th

When I first saw Devers hit in a low-minors All-Star Game, he looked like he was a 15-year-old-kid who would never have to shave.

He has one of the most potent and lethal bats in the game. At age 24, Devers is just beginning to hit his stride. He has incredible bat control and a very, very sweet swing. 

Devers is powerful and smart. He knows what pitches he can drive, and he's only going to improve at pitch selection and barreling the ball. He can become lethal if J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts continue to hit. If he gets good pitches to hit, there is no limit to what damage he can do.

Remember, it is likely the pitching that will cost the Red Sox, not their offense. But so far, both the pitching and hitting are clicking.

Monitor the cost of a Devers trade, but remember, the guy has great bat control and wrists and forearms that will help propel drives to the gaps with great backspin. He could be worth the price you may have to pay.

Luke Voit, 1B, Yankees
6-3, 255 
BR
Batting Order Position: On Injured List

Voit has a partially torn meniscus and is on the IL. When he returns, he could be a huge lift to a Yankees club that is sputtering.

Voit might be one of the biggest trade mistakes in Cardinals history.

I believe in Luke Voit because I have seen for myself the damage this guy can do in a lineup that has Aaron Judge, DJ LeMahieu, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres and more. He's just another power bat among powerful and terrific hitters.

If you can be patient and put him on your bench, just keep remembering that the season lasts until September. It isn't even May yet. You'll be getting a home run hitter with plenty of RBI chances in a dangerous, dangerous lineup.

He's worth waiting for and he's worth trading for.

Jared Walsh, 1B/OF, Angels
6-0, 210
BL
Batting Order Position: 4th

Walsh is hot. He has assumed the at-bats that Albert Pujols once had at first base. And Pujols still plays, making Walsh more a platoon player now. I see Walsh getting more at-bats as the season moves along. And he may be used pretty often in the outfield as well. His position versatility is an asset for your fantasy roster.

Remember this: Walsh was a 39th-round draft pick. But he's playing now. And he's hitting now. And he's tough to get in trade now. I think if you wait a bit, his price may decline.

All told, Walsh is worth the roster spot. He showed he could hit in 2019. But now he's showing the power that a strong 6-foot frame offers.

While I wouldn't pay a steep price for him, I think Walsh can help your team in the outfield or at the corner (first base). 

HEADING HOME

One of the great stories of the new season is the complete comeback of White Sox starter Carlos Rodon. Not only did he pitch a no-hitter against Cleveland, but for a slider that got away and hit Jose Ramirez, Rodon would have had a perfect game. It was great to see a pitcher who has suffered serious elbow and arm injuries come back and dominate.

• Going into Saturday's games, Ronald Acuna is performing as the absolute best player to be taken 1-1 overall in fantasy. He really is amazing. His goal is to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases. And he may be able to do it. So far, he has seven homers and has stolen three bases. Here are some statistics that boggle the mind: .429/.484/.946/.1.431. No, I don't think he'll finish at .400, but man, what a start.

• I know, I know. You think my assessment of Yermin Mercedes was far too critical and that I don't appreciate what he can do. Talk to me in September. We have to see if this new phenom holds up over time.

• Can we say with certainty that J.D. Martinez has returned to form as a feared slugger? I know the sample size is only a few weeks, but his swing has returned, he's driving the ball, and he looks terrific.

• How's this for an injury list just since the first day of the season? Ketel Marte, Max Fried, Drew Smyly, Austin Hays, Anthony Rendon, Cody Bellinger, Elieser Hernandez, Lorenzo Cain, Kolten Wong, Andrelton Simmons, J.D. Davis, Archie Bradley, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Fernando Tatis Jr., Johnny Cueto, James Paxton, Chris Archer, Teoscar Hernandez, Julian Merryweather, Tony Gonsolin, Christian Walker, Joakim Soria, Miguel Cabrera.

And that doesn't include the countless stars who went down before the season, but after they were paid for in auctions or drafted like Eloy Jimenez, George Springer, Kirby Yates, Nate Pearson, Jose Leclerc, Kyle Lewis, Ken Giles, Austin Nola, Mike Clevinger, Trevor Rosenthal, Mike Fiers, Luke Voit, Luis Severino, Zack Britton, Noah Syndergaard, Carlos Carrasco, Adalberto Mondesi, Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, Kyle Freeland. Sonny Gray, Chris Sale, Hunter Harvey, Mike Soroka.

The list is sobering when seen altogether. And I may have forgotten and missed some.

Not to mention the Astros' Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, and Alex Bregman out due to COVID protocols. 

To me, these lists are incredible. They represent some of the finest players in the game. Oblique strains, hamstring strains, elbow strains, calf strains, etc., etc., etc.

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