Fantasy Baseball Trade Tips: Who Are the 10 Best Hitters To Acquire in 2011?

With fantasy baseball season underway, you will be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your team.

If you are worried about offense, you’re in luck.

There are several hitters top hitters you can acquire via trade.

The following list isn’t a list of the top overall hitters in fantasy baseball.  Guys like Pujols, Tulowitzki and Han Ram aren’t likely to be traded.

This is a list of the top hitters that you can acquire in a trade.  These are guys who are poised for a breakout season or guys who are young or underrated.

Here are the top ten hitters to acquire in 2011.

10. Pablo Sandoval

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 18: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants plays against during the spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Scottsdale Stadium on March 18, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/

After a great 2009 season, Sandoval has an abysmal 2010 campaign, seeing his batting average drop from .330 to .268.

Sandoval has dropped almost 40 pounds since 2010 and is poised to bat .300 once again.

Target Sandoval if you need third base help while his value is at an all-time low.

9. Ian Desmond

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WASHINGTON - AUGUST 26: Ian Desmond #6 of the Washington Nationals singles in the game winning run in the thirteenth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park on August 26, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Nationals won the game 11-10. (Photo

The Nationals’ young shortstop had a decent 2010 season, hitting ten home runs and stealing 17 bases.

Look for those numbers to rise in 2011. 

A season similar to Alexei Ramirez is in store for Desmond.  Buy low if you can with Desmond.

8. Gordon Beckham

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 29: Gordon Beckham #15 of the Chicago White Sox hits the ball against the New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field on August 29, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Yankees defeated the White Sox 2-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Many tabbed Beckham as the next great second baseman prior to 2010, but have retracted this statement after his awful start.

After the All-Star break, Beckham turned things around and batted .310.

He should continue this success into 2011 and once again become one of the top young second baseman in the game.

7. Pedro Alvarez

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CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 12: Pedro Alvarez #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is pictured during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark on September 12, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Alvarez has an enormous amount of potential and plays a position that isn’t very deep. 

The young third baseman belted 16 home runs in just 95 games last year, so his power potential is very high.

Alvarez won’t be a secret for long, so snatch him while you can, especially if you’re in a keeper league.

6. Brett Gardner

Al Bello/Getty Images

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Brett Gardner #11 of the New York Yankees bats against the Texas Rangers in Game Three of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2010 in New York, New York. The Rangers won 8-0. (Photo by Al Bello/Ge

Gardner is a very underrated outfielder and is a great source of runs and steals.

In 2010, Gardner was third in the league with 47 steals.

This year, his runs and steal should increase with him sharing time with Jeter at the leadoff spot for the Yankees.

5. Drew Stubbs

Norm Hall/Getty Images

GOODYEAR, AZ - MARCH 02: Drew Stubbs #6 of the Cincinnati Reds gets ready in the batters box against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 2, 2011 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Stubbs had one of the quietest 20/30 seasons in history.

2011 should be no different for Stubbs.  Another 20/30 season is definitely in store.

Get Stubbs while you can.

4. Colby Rasmus

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 09: Colby Rasmus #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 9, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Rasmus has been slowly improving since arriving in St. Louis, and 2011 will be his break out campaign.

30 homers and 100 RBI are well within reach for the young outfielder, and he has top 15 outfielder potential in 2011.

Rasmus could end up having the same numbers as teammate Matt Holliday, so buy low with Rasmus.

3. Carlos Santana

Norm Hall/Getty Images

GOODYEAR, AZ - FEBRUARY 27: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians gets ready in the batters box against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on February 27, 2011 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Santana was off to a good start in 2010 till injuries derailed his season.

2011 should be a good season for the young catcher, propelling him to top five status for catchers.

2. Mike Stanton

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JUPITER, FL - MARCH 24: Mike Stanton #27 of the Florida Marlins watches as the ball he hit clears the left field fence for a three run home run against the Boston Red Sox in the fourth inning at Roger Dean Stadium on March 24, 2011 in Jupiter, Florida. (P

Stanton has tremendous power and displayed it his rookie season, hitting 22 homers in 100 games.

Jason Heyward has gotten most of the attention as far as young outfielders go, but if you need power, Stanton is your guy.

Look for him to crank out at least 35 home runs in 2011.

1. Andrew McCutchen

J. Meric/Getty Images

BRADENTON, FL - MARCH 02: Outfielder Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates fouls off a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during a Grapefruit League Spring Training Game at McKechnie Field on March 2, 2011 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by J. Mer

This may be the last season the McCutchen isn’t a top 20 fantasy player.

His steals and his home runs after increased since arriving in the bigs, and 2011 could be the 24-year-old’s breakout season.

20 home runs and 40 steals are reasonable to expect from McCutchen.  Couple that with a .290 average and you’ve got a star for many seasons to come.