As the MLB season wears on, the stats players accumulate begin to hold more significance. Flukes are not easy to sustain for a month and a half of play, while slumps edging into this part of the season may be trends. Each Thursday, SWN will be highlighting some potential trade targets that may be buy-low or sell-high candidates.
Yangervis Solarte (NYY): 2B/SS/3B
Raise your hand if you thought this random, last-minute addition to the Yankees' roster would not only be out-performing Robinson Cano, but ranking among the Top 5 in all of MLB in batting average.
Unless you are a member of Solarte's immediate family, put that hand down! Solarte's been an absolute revelation shifting around the Yanks' infield like a chameleon, and a stud of equal magnitude for fantasy players. He's not just a batting average guy riding an unsustainable BABIP. While Solarte's BABIP is really high (.353), he's banged out four extra-base hits, three of them home runs, in his past 10 games. His .OPS for the season sits at .935, and his eye at the plate has improved dramatically from when he was in the minor leagues.
Judging from his minors performance he profiles as a .280-type with middling power, and although I'm not a believer that he can top 15 or so homers, the spiking walk rate has me re-evaluating his average potential.
Verdict: Keep Solarte, or buy high. He'll finish the year around .300 with decent pop for a middle infielder, and his multi-position eligibility pushes him over the top.
Prince Fielder (TEX) 1B
