Fantasy Baseball Tip: Trade Pujols!

It's that time of the fantasy baseball season where you can make or break your team. It's time to put your brain in motion and come up with the best strategy to finish on top. It's time to make a blockbuster trade! Who is the best player to trade, you ask? Well, I have no hesitation in telling you that the best player to trade is Albert Pujols.

Yes, I said Albert Pujols, and no, I don't have a fever. There are various factors why I think he is excellent trade bait right now. His stock is high (as usual) right now, but I predict a drop in the coming months.

First of all, we can't forget about his torn ligament in his right elbow. So far, the elbow hasn't prevented him from putting up solid numbers; however, you never know when that day might come that it blows out. It could happen at any given time, at any given game. These torn ligaments don't just magically disappear, folks. Your team can't afford to be without its best hitter during your playoffs.

Second of all, you have to look toward the end of the season. Most fantasy baseball formats have playoffs during the final three weeks of the season. The key concern here is if the St. Louis Cardinals are still going to be in decent playoff contention during that time. If they are not, then it could be very likely that Pujols could sit out some games during your vital playoff matchups. The Cardinals are actually a strong contender in the standings right now, but I just don't think they have enough pitching to carry them into the playoffs. Kyle Lohse is having a stellar season, but the rest of their staff is average, at best. The Chicago Cubs seem really strong and I don't see St. Louis overtaking them to win the division. Heck, they will be lucky to even earn second place in that division, given the strong play of the Brewers. As for the wild card spot, I predict that spot will be taken by the Philadelphia Phillies, the Brewers or the New York Mets, who have suddenly found new life.

Thirdly, the pitching is getting tougher. Rich Harden is now with the Cubs and C.C. Sabathia is now with the Brewers. Both of those teams are in the Cardinals' division, which will make it even tougher to produce runs. Sure, Pujols can handle all of the best pitchers, but what about the guys around him? If the other guys can't handle this strong pitching, then Pujols is going to have several at bats with no runners on base, in which case he will probably add another base on balls to his collection. Walks are fine, but they won't get you a trophy.

So go ahead, make your move . . . make the trade of the season! You can surely get a lot for Pujols. You will certainly get at least one superstar for him, possibly even two! If given the choice, try to trade for a superstar that plays on playoff contender so you can be assured he will be active and playing every day when your playoffs start.

Pujols and the Cardinals may have a successful and healthy playoff run and may make me eat my words, but I'm not betting on it. Trade Pujols now! You won't regret it!