Could A’s Yonder Alonso’s fantasy value ascend with a trade?

Yonder Alonso is one of best first-half fantasy revelations this season. But, with a trade from the A’s seemingly imminent, could his fantasy value ascend anymore?

As the MLB season sits idle, it is always a fun time to reflect, and look forward. There are few more exciting times of the MLB season, outside of the playoffs of course, than the All-Star break mixed with the trade. One of the predominant names in rumors this season, is that of Yonder Alonso.

Already in the middle of a career best season, could the newfound slugger’s fantasy value rise even more with a potential trade?

Fantasy owners have more than likely heard Alonso and launch angle in the same sentence nearly all year. It is no secret that Alonso remade his entire swing and has incorporated a leg kick and uppercut in an effort to generate more power. Those results have paid dividends for the A’s and those fantasy owners that were able to snatch him off the waiver wire.

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But, in terms of his fantasy value moving forward, will a likely move further boost his value? The short answer is, yes.

Yet, there are some red flags as of late in terms of whether or not Alonso’s breakout may be legit or not after all.

Alonso currently has a .275/20 HR/43 RBI/.934 OPS line. Nearly half of that production came in his monster month of May in which he posted a .303/10 HR/17 RBI line. SIice then, he has only amassed 6 HR and 12 RBI while only mustering a .251 AVG with a little over two weeks more of action in the month of July.

While that paints a bleak picture, Alonso’s batted ball data speaks to a player that should have no issue with continuing to post solid power numbers down the stretch. He is striking out a career worst 23%, yet is countering that with a 13% BB rate, solidifying his OBP and OPS.

His BABIP is a league average..302, so there is also room for growth there considering he is posting  21% LD, 50% Med and 35% Hard contact rates. The FB rate is 49%, high by any players standard, but especially for Alonso’s. Impressively, Alonso is averaging 400 ft. per homer this season and he ranks sixth in MLB in terms of average distance per fly ball with a 224 ft. clip.

I hate to continue the stat heavy jargon, but he is also averaging a 90 mph exit velocity which puts him in the same class of sluggers like Logan Morrison, Cody Bellinger, Chris Davis, and Justin Smoak. He still knows how to barrel the ball up.

He still knows how to barrel the ball up.

Looking at possible landing spots, one place in particular jumps off the page. The New York Yankees desperately need a boost at first base, and Alonso fits the bill. A slugging lefty power hitter is something the Yankees need, and Alonso’s profile checks off all those boxes.

While 13 homers have come in Oakland this season, a move to the Bronx would be the ultimate spot in terms of his fantasy value rising over the next three months. He takes his walks, still makes plenty of hard contact, and would slot right into the middle of the lineup behind Aaron Judge and company.

Next: Fantasy Baseball: Top second-half waiver wire adds

He also happens to be cheap and only a one-year rental, so even with Greg Bird and his seemingly non-ending rehab, Alonso offers a stopgap for now. The odds of Yonder Alonso being moved by the A’s in a few weeks are very high,  and the move to the Bronx would be the best fantasy landing spot.

Keep an eye on where he lands.