This past weekend, the entire roster for the AllStar game next week in Seattle was announced. As is the case every year, there were surprises among the selections. Some of those players are not producing solid fantasy numbers at the moment. Some managers may be thinking of dropping one of those players. However, before doing so, consider this fantasy baseball AllStar sells edition.

Emphasizing that they are All-Stars to other managers in your league might cover over some of the warts these players have. First and foremost is determining where your own fantasy team can be improved. Once that’s finished, look at the other rosters in the league. Figure out which managers have a need that an AllStar on this list can solve is the second step. The last step, simply, is to make the move.

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Kenley Jansen, RP, Boston Red Sox

Obviously, Kenley Jansen has been an AllStar caliber closer for many years, first for the Dodgers, then Atlanta and now Boston. This past week, he was elected to the AllStar Game in Seattle. He has 17 saves, which is 10th in baseball. However, everything is not rosy for Jansen at the moment.

First, his ERA is 3.45, the second highest of his career. His WHIP isn’t much better at 1.43, which is tied for his fourth worst. Second, even though Boston has won three in a row as of this writing, Jansen has disappeared from their mound. After pitching on three of four days from June 21-24, he has only appeared in a game twice since, a span of nine days. Third, and worst of all, Jansen has allowed a run in three straight games.

It might be difficult to come up with something worse in fantasy baseball than a closer who isn’t closing games. Of course, none of the above is what a manager wants to convey to a potential trade partner. Emphasis the fact that he is top ten in saves and is an AllStar to a manager in your league that does need a closer. Carefully examine your team and determine your specific needs. Find a trade partner with the assets to fill that need and start the negotiations. Make a deal. Without question, you and your fantasy team will be the better for it.

Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF, Toronto Blue Jays

Next on this fantasy baseball AllStar sells edition is Whit Merrifield. Certainly, to me at least, it was a surprise that he was elected as a reserve. Not sure how that happened, but nonetheless, he will be in Seattle next week. His ability to play both second base and the outfield is a fantasy bonus and should be one of the first points used to start trade talks. Secondly, emphasis his 18 stolen bases, which is tied for 13th. Even with steals up throughout baseball, managers are still looking for speed, especially in category leagues. He is hitting .282, which in today’s game is more than .300.

Needless to say, leave these next parts out of the talks. Merrifield hasn’t had a hit since last Wednesday, as of today. Currently, he is in a 2-21 slump. He has two RBIs and two runs scored since June 18th. The Blue Jays’ offense hasn’t been nearly as imposing as we expected it would be. Toronto’s 379 runs is fourth in their own division, just one ahead of the Yankees.

Second base is not a deep position in fantasy baseball. If you have Merrifield on the roster and have depth at second, try and move him, perhaps for a starting pitcher. The AllStar allure will wear off soon if he doesn’t start swinging the bat, so it’s best to try and trade him now. All the other managers in your league can do is say no. It is an option clearly worth exploring, though.

Orlando Arcia, 2B/SS, Atlanta Braves

Merrifield isn’t the only surprising infielder selection to the team, as the National League has one as well. Even more confounding, however, is the fact that Orlando Arcia, somehow, is the N.L.’s starting shortstop. Absolutely, without question, begin any and all negotiations with that little tidbit. Fortunately, and unlike the many on this fantasy baseball AllStar sells edition, is that Arcia’s bat has resurfaced of sorts recently.

After going through an 0-14 stretch, Arcia has hits in his last three games. Further, he has a home run and two RBIs. He is hitting .296 on the season. He is an AllStar game starter. Once these facts are brought to the surface, stop talking. The reason will be crystal clear. Arcia has scored a single run since June 20. During that same stretch, he has a grand total of three RBIs.

Worst of all for those in points leagues, in his last 11 games, he has scored zero or negative fantasy points in six of them. The good news is that shortstop is a deep position in fantasy baseball. If you find yourself with depth at the position, dealing Arcia makes a lot of sense. Find a manager who isn’t enjoying the same fortune as you are and push a deal through.

Elias Diaz, C, Colorado Rockies

The next player up for discussion, Elias Díaz, really isn’t hard to understand why he would be on such a list such as this. As with all Rockies hitters, Diaz loses a lot of appeal once their team plane leaves Colorado. Diaz and his teammates just finished a home series against the Angels, Dodgers and Tigers. This week, they hit the road against the Astros and Giants. The three-game set against San Fransisco is especially challenging, as their home is one of the best pitcher’s parks in the majors.

Even during the above-mentioned home series, Diaz wasn’t really swinging the bat all that well. He started with a bang with three hits, including a homer against the Angels. After that, however, Diaz went just 4-21, with no runs scored. Additionally, he drove in runs in just three of the next eight games. For the last week, Diaz hit a weak .211 with a miniscule .238 on base percentage. His slugging percentage was the same as his batting average, something that is almost never seen in baseball statistics.

Before Diaz and the Rockies get deep into this road trip, try and strike a deal with someone that has catching needs. Out of all the players on this fantasy baseball AllStar sells edition, moving Diaz is the most urgent. If you can get a player with more consistency, my advice is simple: move him as quickly as possible, and don’t look back.

Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Rangers

Of all the players discussed here, none have more upside than Josh Jung. Even further, none has the power potential that Jung has. However, those in points leagues have to take a serious look at whether having him on the fantasy roster is worth that upside. The reason? None have Jung’s ability to come to the plate and go back to the dugout without his bat ever touching the baseball.

Including today’s contest against Boston, Jung has a strike out in 14 consecutive games. During this stretch, he has struck out three or more times in four games. Additionally, Jung has struck out twice in four others. Because of all the Ks, he has zero or negative fantasy points in six out of 13 games.

In that time, Jung has had games of six, seven and nine fantasy points. That would be all well and good if it weren’t for all of the negative scores he racks up. Even so, as is Arcia, Jung is an AllStar starter. Obviously, people know his name. He certainly has some positives: 17 home runs, 50 RBIs, 88 hits and 58 runs scored.

Push those positives until you lose your voice, if necessary. A player with the recognition and profile that Jung has should fetch a real good starting pitcher, for instance, if that is a team need. Third base is not as deep as some other positions. If a trade of Jung is used as bait, a manager will surely bite.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball AllStar sells edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on Twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!

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