At a current glance, third base looks to share many similar traits as our previously covered positions with elite options at the top but lacking depth. That should change in the coming days as Anthony Rendon (2/$44) and Alex Bregman (2/$40) are both expected to be dropped with Nolan Arenado (2/$38) being a name to watch as well before Sunday.
Several clubs are in need of corner infielders, making third base the key position to watch in trade talks before Sunday's Keeper Deadline.
Top Third Base Free Agents 1. Jose Ramirez, CLE 2. *Alex Bregman, HOU (Stacks) 3. *Anthony Rendon, LAA (Hops) 4. Matt Chapman, TOR 5. Gio Urshela, MIN 6. Miguel Sano, MIN 7. *Evan Longoria, SF (Ducks) 8. *Brian Anderson, MIA (Grapes) 9. Hunter Dozier, KC 10. Luis Arraez, MIN | Top Trade Candidates 1 Nolan Arenado (2/$38), Crats 2. Justin Turner (2/$16), Crats 3. Anthony Rendon (2/$44), Hops 4. Josh Donaldson (3/$25), Fringe 5. Yandy Diaz (2FA/$5), Falcons 6. Alec Bohm (2R/$3), Devils |
Team Needs:
Alamo Short Stacks, Mission Viejo Maulers, Maltese Falcons, Asti Grape Stompers, Idaho Taters, Meinert Hops, St. Joseph Jokers
Activation Candidates:
While Wander Franco holds third base eligibility, we'll save him for the shortstop position leaving Ke'Bryan Hayes as the only likely third base eligible activation in the RDBL for the Spokane Fightin' Fish.
Top Free Agent:
Jose Ramirez picked up right where he left off in 2020, continuing his torrid pace at the dish. He swatted 36 more homers and stole 27 bases while racking up a strong .266/.355/.538 slash line. That made him an easy top-ten bat in fantasy, and there is no reason to believe he will slow down in 2022. He joined Jose Altuve as the only players in the league to hit 30+ homers with a strikeout rate below 14%, and he did that while being one of the best sources of stolen bases in the game as well. Only a handful of players in the league have this kind of game-changing upside for fantasy, and don't forget – Ramirez is only 29 years old. He just wrapped up a $43 contract and should be in position to exceed that number on Draft Day.
Under the Radar Free Agent:
Hunter Dozier started the season off with a thumb injury that bothered him the entire season in 2021. His whole game was off with a career-low BABIP (.276) and a four-year-high strikeout rate (28.4%) leading to the .200 average. He slowly healed and his OPS went from .586 in the first half to .780 in the second, and all the way up at .922 in September. His second-half slash line of .261/.331/.449 is respectable with eligibility at third, first and in the outfield.
Top Trade Candidate:
The Aristocrats are facing a salary cap squeeze that could push Nolan Arenado (2/$38) into the trade market. He proved he could hit outside of Colorado in 2021 but was an exclusive power hitter, slashing .255/.312/.494 with 31 HRs, 81 runs, 105 RBI, and two stolen bases over 157 games. His Statcast data of last year was similar to previous seasons, except for his 6.7 Barrel%, the second-lowest of his career. However, he offset the low barrels with a career-high 45.8 Pull%. His high averages with the Rockies were aided by consistently high BABIPs, courtesy of Coors Field. But, his .249 BABIP last year should regress towards the norm, and his ability to put the bat on the ball (career 14.9 K%, 14.7 K% in 2021) suggests at least a bit of a batting average improvement, even with his moderate 89 MPH average exit velocity from last season. He's slugged 241 HRs the past seven seasons, so he'll no doubt put up north of 30 home runs again and should be well worth the $38 investment.
Under the Radar Trade Candidate:
The Devils are a candidate to make a major deal before the Keeper Deadline with the league's top cap space. That could make Alec Bohm (2R/$3), under team control through 2023, as a logical piece to go the other way. Bohm, who was drafted third overall in 2018 and quickly moved through the minor leagues, hit .291 in only 673 career minor league at-bats before making his debut in Philadelphia. He hit .338 in 44 games during the shortened 2020 and people expected big things from him, but he returned in 2021 to hit just .247/.305/.342 with seven home runs, 46 runs, and 47 RBI in 115 games. There's likely more in the tank for the third baseman and his contract could be a game-changer for a Franchise if things click again at the plate.
Potential Deal Before Draft Day:
Devils acquire 3B Nolan Arenado (2/$38) from Aristocrats for 3B Alec Bohm (2R/$3), 2022 3rd Round Pick (33rd Overall)
The salary cap crunch of the Aristocrats will likely push Nolan Arenado out the door with a contract the Mt. Diablo Devils would gladly welcome. In the deal, the 'Crats could save $35 in cap space while gaining an upside asset in Bohm who is under team control through 2023.
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