Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
I never thought I would have to suggest this to the fantasy baseball community, but now is the time to trade for Los Angeles Angels 1B Albert Pujols.
With reports coming out that the Plantar Fascia tear in his foot is getting worse, many fantasy owners have begun to panic. People are questioning his fantasy value and are even starting to shop the nine-time All-Star around in trades.
General Manager, Jerry Dipoto, said that the team would not place him on the Disabled List unless he expressed that he could no longer handle the pain. As it is, the team has been playing him at the designated hitter position over the last couple weeks in order to keep him from doing further damage.
Additionally, Pujols has shockingly only hit two home runs this season. Both homers came in one game, and that game was almost three weeks ago. Needless to say, the lack of homers is also making fantasy owners wonder if Pujols can regain his spot as the best fantasy 1B.
Amidst all these negatives, I would still advise making a deal for the three-time NL MVP.
People also panicked last year about Pujols, as he had just one home run through the first six weeks of the 2012 fantasy season. It took him a couple weeks to get adjusted to the American League, but he still managed to have another superb fantasy season. Pujols ended the year with 30 home runs and 105 RBIs.
Also many people are nervous about the plantar fasciitis in his left foot. However, Pujols has never missed serious time throughout his career, and he has had every injury in the book. The Iron Man has played in at least 147 games in all 12 of his MLB seasons, so a trip into the shop for The Machine is simply out of the question. The 33-year-old will just play through the pain.
The bottom line is if you can steal Pujols in a trade, I would highly suggest doing it. He easily has 30 more homers left in his bat this year and his value can’t get any lower.
Trade for #5 now and thank me later.
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
