To Trade or Not to Trade

Here are the top ten hittters (in no order) that could put your struggling team back into contention and the top ten guys who are at their highest trade value and should be traded. DISCLAIMER: This list does not take into account keeper values. This is only for yearly leagues. There will be another articles for teams who may not be in contention this year and need to look ahead to next year in keeper leagues.

TOP 10 HITTERS TO TRADE FOR

1. Albert Pujols, 1b STL: I know this seems obvious but now is the time to get a superstar for the price of a hot dog. If you're on the fringe of the playoffs in head-to-head leagues or if you're a few points back in rotisserie leagues, this should be priority number one.
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2b BOS: After a slow start, it looks like the Laser Show has come to play hitting .380 in the past ten days. The weather isn't the only thing getting warmer in June.
3. Carl Crawford, OF BOS: Another Red Sox slow starter who was recovering nicely heading into June, but the now DL-ed speedster could be a guy who another owner has given up on this year. Don't make that same mistake.
4. Dan Uggla, 2b ATL: He can't be any worse. If you're struggling for power, this could be a cheap place to get it at a premium
5. Chase Utley, 2b PHI: Looks like Utley is finally getting healthy after recording multiple hits in four straight and in five of his last nine games played. Unfortunately, Utley owners may have already taken notice that he is close to being back.
6. B.J. Upton, OF TB: Don't lose faith in Upton's talents. He has 19 stolen bases already and nothing else that is too spectacular. While you'll probably never see him with a .330 average, he can still provide a good power/speed combo. Definitely worth taking a flyer out on him.
7. Hanley Ramirez, SS FLA: Another player who can not look any worse. Newly appointed manager Jack McKeon may be old, but he gets the most out of his players, and Ramirez will be no exception. El Nino has already been benched for being late to a team meeting. If Ramirez can get his head screwed on straight, he will show his top 5 overall value in the second half of the season.
8. Nelson Cruz, OF TEX: Yes, there is a huge injury risk here, but the power/speed combo is worth the risk. Throw in the bandbox of a ballpark and Cruz can be wreaking havoc on opposing pitchers in no time.
9. Evan Longoria, 3b TB: If an owner is getting frustrated with Longoria's .230 average, see if he's willing to give up on him for some streaking young players. The stats you will get from the talent-deprived position of 3b will propel you over the top.
10. Colby Rasmus, OF STL: With Albert Pujols out, someone has to help Matt Holliday carry the load, and Rasmus could be that guy. It shouldn't take too much to get Rasmus and he could pay high dividends with power and speed.

TOP 10 HITTERS TO TRADE

1. Eric Hosmer, 1b KC: Hosmer may be the real deal, but pitchers will make the adjustments to him faster than he can adjust to the pitchers, and he is approaching his second time through the American League. Expect to see some regression, so trade now while you still can.
2. Paul Konerko, 1b CHW: Every year Konerko starts out hot and cools off in the second half (or when there's any pressure on him). Especially at a deep position like 1b, see if you can trade him for an upgrade at a more premium position like 3b.
3. Jhonny Peralta, SS CLE: Cleveland has been a great story this year, but the other shoe is going to drop soon, and so will their postseason hopes this season. But hey, at least LeBron lost, right?
4. Michael Morse, 1b/OF WAS: If Morse still had his catcher eligibility then he would not be here, but he can not keep up his current pace and there are many better options at both positions he is eligible.
5. Melky Cabrera, OF KC: If he was really this good, then the Yankees would not have let him go. How do I know this? Because the Yankees have been the most responsible with their money. There was a study done revealing that the Yankees have paid the least amount of money per win in the past decade. GM Brian Cashman isn't so stupid now, is he?
6. Adam Lind, DH/1b TOR: Lind is showing the promise of two years ago, but he can not keep up his current power and average numbers. If you need RBI don't trade him, but if you have the right offer for stats that you need, trade him.
7. J.J. Hardy, SS BAL: What a comeback story for Hardy, but the AL east is a terrible division to be in if you are not on the Yankees or the Red Sox. Hardy will not finish the year with a batting average above .290 and has never had any exceptional power numbers to speak of.
8. Matt Joyce, OF TB: See #7.
9. Chase Headley, 3b SD: Headley has always had the potential to do what he is doing, but Petco Park is death to hitters. Just ask Adrian Gonzalez how he likes the confines of his new home, Fenway Park.
10. Jacoby Ellsbury, OF BOS: Boston and Ellsbury have to be over the moon with his performance so far, but he has to come down at least a little bit. If you need stolen bases, keep him, but otherwise you can get a whole lot for him, and possibly at premium positions.

The top ten pitchers to trade and trade for will be up soon.