The trade emails and tweets are flooding in faster than ever right now and rightfully so. Given how depleted our waiver wires are (thanks, injury bug), you’re left with two choices – either ride it out with who you have or start wheeling and dealing to improve your roster. While some may complain that it’s too difficult to pull off a legitimate trade, the fact that everyone is in the same boat with regard to injuries and player availability should help move the situation along. You know it’s the only way. They know it’s the only way, so it’s time to come together and start making things happen.

But before you go out there and start throwing players’ names around like you’re at a Sotheby’s auction, do yourself a favor and make a list of some genuinely preferred targets. Look at your team, evaluate what you need and find players – and not necessarily marquee names – who can help you out. Now I don’t want to go all negative on you here, but remember, with everyone in your league jockeying for position, you’re going to have to sift through a lot of crap. They might be dressed up all nice and pretty for you, but there are certain players you’re better off avoiding.

I know, I’ve said it’s a great time to take a chance on some players, but from what we’ve seen to date right now, you not only need a list of potential targets, but you’re also going to need a reminder of which players to avoid. Below is a list of players I’m not buying in any trades and unless you’re planning on flipping them to another team immediately, you shouldn’t buy into them either.

Alex Avila, C DET – The story of his return to Detroit has been a nice one and watching him battle back from injuries to earn a strong share of the work behind the plate has been nice. But let’s keep this in check and understand that a large chunk of his actual playing time has come at first base with Miguel Cabrera out of the lineup. Eight of his 27 games in which he’s appeared. Those at-bats will go away once Miggy is back on track and if the Tigers want to get him more work, it’s either coming at the expense of Victor Martinez at DH (probably not a regular thing) or with more work behind the plate. That will put Avila at a much greater risk. Remember, concussions have been a big deal, so even just a foul-tip off the mask is a potential problem. Add that to a 27.5-percent strikeout rate and a .429 BABIP due to drop hard any day now, and you’ve got a less-desirable option behind the plate.

Eric Thames, 1B MIL – While I was high on him to open the season and still believe he’s got some good pop left in his bat, the drop-off in May has me singing a different tune. There’s little doubt in my mind that he can still finish with 25-30 home runs with a nice hot streak, but the nature of the injuries – hamstring, leg cramps – point towards conditioning issues. Remember, it’s a much more taxing season here than it is in Korea, especially with the extensive travel and if Thames isn’t in peak physical condition, he’s going to struggle. As he continues to struggle, Jesus Aguilar could step in and really start poaching some regular at-bats. I now see Thames as being closer to a Justin Bour moving forward than anything else.

Logan Forsythe, 2B LAD – I just don’t get the love affair with this guy. Is it the 20 homers he hit last year? Do we really think he’s even remotely capable of doing that again? Prior to 2015, the guy was never anything more than a platoon player. He worked part-time for the Padres and part-time for the Rays before injuries and some personnel changes left him with a regular job. He performed well that year and was afforded the opportunity to follow it up in 2016. His power was solid but injuries kept him out for an extended period of time and save for his home run total, everything else declined. He’s not only struggling again this year, but the injury bug continues to haunt him. He’s just back from the DL and people are going to offer him up in deals, but really…what does he have to offer? A high strikeout rate? A middling average? Maybe a little pop? All that and an injury risk? No thank you.

Zack Cozart, SS CIN – His level of productivity this year has been nothing short of astonishing. But are we really supposed to believe that finally, at the age of 31, Cozart has figured it all out and is taking his game to another level? I just don’t buy it. He’s never been a big strikeout victim and I absolutely love the double-digit walk rate, but save for some improved selectivity at the plate and a splash more contact, there is nothing in his batted ball profile that indicates some miraculous change. So while it may seem like lazy analysis, I have to pivot to his .389 BABIP. It just can’t stay like this, no matter how much more improved the Reds hitters seem to be. The guy has a career .252 BABIP and that includes the yeoman’s work he’s done this season. It has to come down. Not to mention, do we really believe he’s a .200-plus ISO hitter? Not based on his history. Let them sell him elsewhere.

Adrian Beltre, 3B TEX – No, I do not think it’s a good idea to buy-low and stash Beltre. Not at all. I’d say please stop asking but I’m actually starting to have more fun with my responses. Those of you who have asked over the past week know what I’m talking about. Listen, the bottom line is this – he is an aging player with a massive injury history and while he may call a hitter-friendly ballpark home and have some nice bats surrounding him in the lineup, the amount of production you get out of him is going to be negligible. I’d probably rather have Ryon Healy at this point. The Rangers have been forced to push back his return date how many times already? And he’s still not running at more than 50-60 percent right now. Even if he does come back and hits you five home runs in a week, how long before he’s back on the DL with some other ailment? Last year’s production was a last gasp, not a resurgence. Let someone else hold the bag during this debacle of a season.

Carlos Gonzalez, OF COL – I don’t feel the need to repeat myself as you all have heard me both in these pages and on SiriusXM regarding CarGo’s demise. But given the fact that he’s now hit safely in six-straight games and it’s the perfect time for people to trade him, allow me to point you towards my recent article in the New York Post where I serve up yet another warning.

Cameron Maybin, OF LAA – This guy’s gonna be the friggin’ death of me. For years he has been my fantasy Achilles heel as I just couldn’t quit him. Not since the days when I wrote a piece on him back when he was the key piece coming back to the Marlins in the deal that sent Miguel Cabrera to Detroit. But year after year, there’s been monster disappointment, save for the one season he swiped 40 bases. But that’s it. That’s the peak. Yes, he hit 10 home runs and stole 23 bases for the Braves back in 2015, but predicting these outlier seasons among the years of injury issues is impossible. Is this one of those years? I don’t think so, but ask the guy who has him active over these last seven games and they’ll sing you a much different tune as he’s hitting .483 with four doubles, two home runs, five RBI, 10 runs scored and a stolen base over that span. But don’t be fooled. Not only is he at risk for an injury every time he moves, but he’s still going to share time with Ben Revere. Not while he’s this hot, but as soon as he cools off he will. And that should be much sooner than later.

Dallas Keuchel, SP HOU – I’ll point you towards the New York Post article once again, but long story short, they’ve said Keuchel’s pinched nerve could be related to a cervical issue….possibly a bulging disc or a bone spur which is causing the impingement. While the team is downplaying it, I feel like we could see a recurrence if this isn’t treated properly. Some might think this is a bit of a stretch or that I’m being paranoid with all the injuries we are seeing, but given what Keuchel will cost you in a trade right now, I prefer to have a healthy body with much less risk. Again, I’m trading for what he’s going to do in the future, not what he’s done thus far. I love me a ground ball specialist, but health is my priority.

Julio Teheran, SP ATL – Again, another selection from yesterday’s Post article, but one who need reiteration apparently. Stop being fooled by his home/road splits. Go look at his game log, people. His numbers at home are atrocious and while his numbers on the road are spectacular, look at where he’s pitched. Marlins Park? Citi Field? PNC in Pittsburgh? Just wait til the road starts bring him to Citizens Bank, Great American, Chase Field or even Coors. Those are certainly coming soon enough. If you own him, you might be able to play some match-ups through June, but after that, it’s ugly.

Koda Glover, RP WAS – He picked up a four-out save the other day and then got an endorsement from Dusty Baker in which the manager insinuated that the job was his and if he performs well and stays healthy, he’ll keep it. But while that’s all well and good, I’m just not buying it. Not with how fickle Baker is as a manager. Not to mention, the Nationals have never stopped shopping for a closer ever since they failed to land David Robertson in the Adam Eaton deal. They have continued to discuss Robertson with the White Sox and they have also talked to the Royals about Kelvin Herrera. There are a number of relievers expected to be made available come the trade deadline and the Nationals will definitely be buyers. Glover may be their future, but Dusty and the team are looking for right now.