Fantasy baseball: Trade for Padres Jackson Merrill to help with second half, keeper leagues
We are at the midpoint of the 2024 MLB season, and that means it is crunch-time for fantasy baseball managers to make their move.The top half of your league standings should be doing whatever they can to bolster their roster for the stretch run while the bottom half has either mentally checked out in redraft leagues or is looking to acquire keepers for next season.If you are among the contenders, it is imperative to start seeking trades with anyone willing to part with players who can help you, and if you are the bottom-dwellers in a keeper or dynasty league, it’s time to trade away your aging assets and add elite, young talent.The list of players in keeper/dynasty leagues you are attempting to trade for is pretty clear.High-end, young talent such as Elly De La Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr.
and Gunnar Henderson should be your focus.Add in Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Kyle Tucker.You want top players in the age 24-27 range.
If you are competing for this season in these formats, you may have to part with one of these players, but only if your trade partner is sending back players who fill all the right holes on your roster and have strong upside.One of the key names to acquire, whether it is for a keeper or a second-half surge this year, is Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill.Right now, he still qualifies as a shortstop, which will aid in your roster flexibility.
More importantly, he is a budding superstar on the rise.Heading into the weekend, the 21-year-old is slashing .284/.320/.433 with 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and nine stolen bases.
Though those numbers might not be jumping out at you, a deeper look will tell you everything you need to know.For starters, Merrill’s plate discipline is outstanding.Sure, he could learn to draw an extra walk or two, but a 16.4-percent strikeout rate for a kid who wasn’t even expected to open the season with the big club is huge.And best of all, his peripherals show that it is all talent and not luck.
But what we love most about Merrill is...