Winning the trade market is at least as important as nailing the draft. The waiver wire holds significant value throughout the season’s first week or two. But after that, trading is by far the best way to significantly improve your team in an instant. A good buy-low deal will have you reaping the rewards come playoff time. On the flip side, a strong sell-high deal will allow you to capitalize on a player’s peak value before his performance eventually comes back down to earth. Our featured analysts are back to share their top undervalued and overvalued trade candidates at this point in the season.
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Players to Buy Low and Sell High
Which one MLB player are you trying to buy low and why? Also, who are you willing to give up for him?
Lance Lynn (SP – CWS)
“Lance Lynn got lit up last week in a day game against the Giants last week and sent his ERA soaring to 9.00. Every ball he left up in the zone got crushed. Some days that happens. When it happens early in a year, folks tend to overthink it. It was also April, in Chicago. Last year’s slow start could have managers panicking about Lynn, but I would buy. He was dominant over his final 14 starts last year and had a strong spring and a decent first outing. Buy while the ERA is insanely high.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
MJ Melendez (C,OF – KC)
“MJ Melendez is one of Statcast’s biggest underperformers thus far and the best buy in fantasy baseball. His actual batting average and slugging are .152 and .303 respectively while his expected batting average and slugging are .266 and .705. Melendez is making incredible contact to start the season that should turn into proper results unless he over-adjusts his swing to counter early results. If possible, trade a catcher like William Contreras or Yasmani Grandal for him.”
– Kev Mahserejian (RotoBaller)
Jose Miranda (1B,3B – MIN)
“I would buy low on Minnesota Twins infielder Jose Miranda. He is off to a slow start in 2023, hitting .200 (8-for-40) with three RBI and two runs scored across 10 games. The 24-year-old started slowly last season, slashing .164/.200/.284 in 19 games, and was eventually sent back down to the minors in May. Miranda bounced back in the second half and hit .280 with seven home runs and 34 RBI over 68 games. Third base is a pretty scarce position, and managers can get Miranda on the cheap due to his early-season struggles. He also qualifies at first base, giving him dual eligibility in most leagues. I rather have Miranda over Ke’Bryan Hayes and Eugenio Suarez, who are ranked a few spots ahead of him. Miranda hit .344/.401/.572 with 30 home runs between two levels in the minors in 2021. I would like to move a hitter who is on fire right now, such as Brian Anderson, Patrick Wisdom, and Garrett Cooper, to acquire Miranda.”
– Brad Camara (RotoBaller)
Eloy Jimenez (OF – CWS)
“Many fantasy managers will be ready to move on from Eloy Jimenez because of the constant injuries. After all, it took exactly one week for him to hit the IL in 2023. This is the time to pounce and buy low. He is nearly ready to hit the field again and the injury was a minor hamstring tweak that shouldn’t affect him going forward. Although the sample is tiny, in his first 19 AB of the season he had 3 barrels and is on the leaderboard for maximum exit velocity. Jimenez will always have that injury risk but I’ll take the chance given his power upside. I would take him in exchange for a lower-ceiling OF like Michael Conforto or Taylor Ward.”
– Pierre Camus (Fantasy Endgame)
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Which one MLB player are you trying to sell high right now and why? Also, who would you try to get in return?
Seth Lugo (SP,RP – SD)
“Seth Lugo has been great to start the season for the Padres. New to the rotation, he has a 1.38 ERA over his first two outings and 12 K/4 BB in 13 IP. Lugo has spent most of his career as a reliever, so he could have a decent run over the next month or so, and his RP eligibility is a nice win for fantasy managers. However, innings will inevitably be a problem for Lugo, and he could get squeezed out with a Joe Musgrove return imminent in the weeks ahead. If you claimed him last week, consider flipping him before we turn the calendar to May.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
Luis Arraez (1B,2B – MIA)
“Not that I roster him, but Luis Arraez is an easy sell-high given that his batting average is obviously unsustainable at over.500 and he just hit his first of a few home runs. Arraez hits atop a putrid Marlins lineup with only 5 runs and RBI each to show for it. He does not bother to take advantage of the new baserunning rules despite plentiful opportunity and given his history of limited steal attempts, it is unlikely to change. Hunter Greene may be struggling at the moment in terms of ERA/WHIP but I would attempt to acquire him in exchange. His stuff still shows up as elite in models and there is plenty of time to touch his ace upside this season.”
– Kev Mahserejian (RotoBaller)
“The time is now to field offers for Luis Arraez coming off his cycle that raised his average to .583! I wouldn’t bet against him winning another batting title but I also wouldn’t bet on him reaching double-digits in either HR or SB, as he’s never done either. Playing in Miami will do him no favors in terms of power numbers and that lineup won’t help his R+RBI production. It’s nice to have that batting average boost but he’s a one-category wonder who is more valuable in reality than fantasy. I’m higher on middle infielders like Jonathan India, Thairo Estrada, and Jorge Mateo who can help across all categories.”
– Pierre Camus (Fantasy Endgame)
Brian Anderson (3B,OF – MIL)
“I would sell Milwaukee Brewers’ third baseman/outfielder, Brian Anderson. He is off to an incredible start in 2023, slashing .333/.447/.667 with three home runs, 10 RBI, and eight runs across 10 games. The 29-year-old’s career-high homers were 20 in 2019. Anderson struggled with injuries and has played 165 games total in the last two seasons. According to Baseball Savant, his .430 xWOBA and 18.4 BB% are in the 92nd percentile. Anderson can be used as a streamer while wielding a hot bat, but fantasy managers can’t expect this type of production for the rest of the season. I would move Anderson for Jose Miranda, Josh Bell, Rowdy Tellez, and Christian Walker. All hitters who are struggling but should bounce back later this season.”
– Brad Camara (RotoBaller)
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