6 Dynasty Trade Targets (2024 Fantasy Baseball)

There are six players that should be targeted in dynasty leagues before the 2024 season – three hitters and three pitchers – who could likely be obtained at discounted prices. These players come with some concerns but with their potential and decreased current value, now is the time to make deals.

Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Players to Target

Nick Lodolo (CIN – SP)

Nick Lodolo suffered a leg injury early in the 2023 season that forced him to miss the rest of the season. Expectations were high going into last season after he posted an 11.41 K/9 rate in 2022 but he struggled even before the injury. In just over 34 innings, he posted a 6.29 ERA with 1.75 WHIP, so it didn’t seem to be going great, but he did have a 12.32 K/9 rate, so it wasn’t all bad. He will only be 26 at the beginning of the 2024 season and has time to develop into a top-of-the-rotation starter.

I am not crazy about Lodolo pitching in Great American Ballpark but the Reds aren’t bad and should provide him with winning opportunities. Lodolo could be a potential steal in a trade if he stays healthy. You might have a better chance of obtaining Lodolo now rather than waiting until after the season starts.

Bryan Woo (SEA – SP)

Having a last name that allows for a fantasy team name based on Ric Flair should be enough, right? But in this case, it’s not. So why should you target Bryan Woo?

Woo struggled in his first MLB start last season but recovered to show signs of being a reliable starter. He was expedited from Double-A to the majors with only nine starts. His major league numbers do not inspire much confidence with a 4.21 ERA and a 9.55 K/9 rate. Combined with his Double-A numbers, he had pitched over 130 innings and had a K/9 rate over 11.00. He is now three years removed from his 2021 Tommy John Surgery. Seattle showed trust in Woo last season by bringing him up and he is projected to be the fifth starter in their rotation. He will likely grow into his secondary pitches and that will only help his numbers improve. Outside of a complete meltdown, Seattle will let Woo pitch but he could see a bullpen role by September if his innings gets over 160. Woo shouldn’t cost much to obtain and has the potential to be a reliable mid-rotation starter by season’s end.

Garrett Whitlock (BOS – SP)

Garrett Whitlock is entering a pivotal year in fantasy. All owners who had or currently have shares of Whitlock would probably agree this is the final year of hanging onto those shares. He has to show more than he has in the past. Also, will we get bullpen Whitlock or starting rotation Whitlock? I believe we will get the starter this year. Or at least that’s currently the plan. He will have to earn that spot in spring training, though. Whitlock had a 5.23 ERA as a starter last year. He did suffer a hip injury during the season and came back in a relief role, but that was most likely to ease him back in. I don’t see the addition of Whitlock as a gamble because he shouldn’t cost anything. He still has the makeup of a good sinker, slider and changeup. That’s a good repertoire to have for a back-end rotation starter.

Riley Greene (DET – OF)

Matt Mervis (CHC – 1B)

Matt Mervis was a highly touted prospect going into the 2023 season. A quick promotion in early May 2023 did not go the way most wanted. With just 99 plate appearances before being sent back to the minors (and then not getting called back up last season), Mervis hit for a .167 average with just three home runs. Not close to the 20+ home run projections we all expected. He did hit minor league pitching well with a .282 batting average and had 22 home runs. Mervis has good power and I would love to see a full season at Wrigley Field. He will have to take the opportunity he gets, though, and run with it. With the Cubs acquiring projected starting first baseman Michael Busch, Mervis has to show power and not slow down. Starting slow or going through periods of lackluster production will increase the chances of him being sent back down and/or becoming another cautionary tale of a ‘what could have been’ prospect. You wouldn’t want him as your starter this season but he’s worth an add for future potential. His value is much less now than it was this time last year. You could wait until spring training and see how everything is playing out with Mervis, however, if he does show progress, don’t wait too long to acquire him.

Ke’Bryan Hayes (PIT – 3B)

How about a guy with a .283 batting average, 24 home runs and 21 stolen bases? Well, that’s my hot take for hot corner third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes for the 2024 season. He is only two years removed from having 20 stolen bases and he hit 15 bombs last season — numbers he could reach this season.

He’s projected to bat third in the lineup, which is creating some buzz, but he could probably still use some help. Like Riley Greene, Hayes could find himself being the anchor of this Pittsburgh lineup. Hayes was one of only three third basemen that finished with double-digit home runs and stolen bases. This could be the year Hayes takes another step. If he does, his value will balloon. Even if he stays where he’s at with his production, Hayes still has fantasy value. Try to acquire Hayes based on his current value before Opening Day.