FantasyPros Staff | Wed, May 29th 2024, 12:42pm EDT

10 Fantasy Baseball Players to Trade Now (2024)

Fantasy baseball managers are always looking for an edge in their leagues, and one strategy that can pay off is buying low on struggling players and selling high on those who have exceeded expectations. Below, our featured experts look closely at some players they’re targeting for these trades. They have closely monitored the latest player trends and performance metrics to identify key players you should consider buying low and selling high to maximize your roster’s potential.

By leveraging our exclusive trade analyzer and relying on advanced metrics, comprehensive player rankings, and player projections, our experts have determined which players you should target in trades and which ones you should look to move. So, whether you need a roster shake-up or simply want to capitalize on a player’s hot streak, this article is here to guide you through the process.

Let’s examine these trade recommendations, analyzing the rationale behind each move and providing you with actionable advice to help you dominate your league. Don’t forget to check out our other fantasy baseball resources to help you stay ahead of the competition all season long. Happy trading!

Fantasy Baseball Buy Low/Sell High

Buy Low Targets

What one MLB player are you trying to buy low and why? Also, who are you willing to give up for him?

Christopher Morel (2B, 3B, OF – CHC)

“I am definitely interested in Christopher Morel. The 24-year-old has been absolutely snake bit by a BABIP of .207, which is 96 points lower than last year. This has led directly to a terrible slash line of .198/.297/.374, but his expected stats say these should be corrected soon. His xwOBA, which measures the quality of contact + K + BB is .370, and both his xBA (.264) and xSLG (.497) back up the fact that these numbers will improve. He is an appealing option to fill in for the dearth of third basemen and should cost next to nothing. If I could get someone to bite on Luis Rengifo, I’d make the swap in a heartbeat.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)

Josh Naylor (1B, DH – CLE)

“Despite his .229 average, Josh Naylor has the 4th lowest BABIP at .204 and an expected batting average (xBA) of .275. He also has career highs in hard hit % (43.3%), barrel % (10.8%), launch angle and average exit velocity. He does have 13 home runs, but if anyone is worried about that average, I am a buyer. I am expecting some positive regression in the future.”
– Christopher Welsh (FantasyPros)

Framber Valdez (SP – HOU)

“Framber Valdez was pounded by the Angels recently and now owns a 4.34 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He isn’t delivering what fantasy owners expect most – consistency. The early portion of his season was disrupted by a month-long stint on the IL, but other than that singular disastrous outing, he’s been his typical self. Valdez hasn’t seen a velocity drop and is still inducing grounders at a high rate while avoiding hard contact. He should be a ratio stabilizer the rest of the way, so now is the time to acquire him at a discount in exchange for a pitcher like Jared Jones, who isn’t a sure bet to help you down the stretch.”
– Pierre Camus (Fantasy Endgame)

Austin Riley (3B – ATL)

“The Austin Riley manager in your league is incredibly frustrated right now. I know this because I roster him in a bunch of leagues, and it has been a rough start to the year. Through 39 games to start the year, he’s batting just .232 with 3 HR, 18 RBI, 22 R, and 0 SB. And if that wasn’t bad enough, he just missed 13 straight games without going on the IL. The expected numbers and batted ball data, while still solid, are below his usual elite numbers. That means even the savvy manager in your league who pays attention to the advanced metrics might be concerned in addition to being frustrated and annoyed by the production. This means it’s time to buy low on a player who has hit at least 33 HR in three straight seasons. With the abundance of starting pitching options available around leagues right now, I’d be willing to ship a higher-end SP like a Kevin Gausman or Zac Gallen plus another piece (if needed) for Riley.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)

Marcus Semien (2B – TEX)

“Marcus Semien is one of the most underappreciated payers in fantasy baseball. He’s had a rough few weeks of late, slashing .133/.220/.311 with a .531 OPS over his last 45 ABs. Wyatt Langford is back and Corey Seager is heating up, so now is the time to pounce on one of the most consistent producers in the infield and coming off a 29 HR/ 100 RBI season. There are plenty of stats left to deliver for Semien.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)

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Sell High Targets

What one MLB player are you trying to sell high right now and why? Also, who would you try to get in return?

Jon Gray (SP – TEX)

“It seems like I get stuck holding the bag on Jon Gray every year I roster him. He typically starts strong (current ERA of 2.21) before either injury or HR/9 irreversibly dent his benefit to fantasy rosters. Things are no different in 2024. His xERA is 3.99, and his HR/9 of 0.32 is nowhere near his career average of 1.12. (This includes his past two years in Texas when it was 1.26 and 1.20, so there is no Colorado inflation.) If you, like many, are desperate for competent pitching, Gray could fall into that range, even when regression hits. But I’d like to move him for a piece I need or an underperforming pitcher like Justin Steele.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)

Carlos Rodon (SP – NYY)

“Carlos Rodon on the year has a very nice 2.95 ERA with six wins but also one of the league’s biggest ERA to xERA differences from 2.95 to 4.49 expected. His K% isn’t good at 22% paired with a 7% walk rate, his average hard hit against is up, his barrel% against is up, and it looks more reminiscent of last year than his two prior great seasons. Lastly, the big elephant in the room is his injury history. I’d rather not stay at the dance too long with Rodon.”
– Christopher Welsh (FantasyPros)

Isaac Paredes (3B – TB)

“Isaac Paredes is becoming a hot commodity now that his batting average is over the .300 mark to go with nine home runs and 29 RBI. We know the power is legit after last season but there is serious negative regression coming with the batting average that is a full 60 points over his xBA. It’s remarkable that someone with an anemic 27.8% Hard Hit rate continues to parlay his ability to pull the ball at the right launch angle into solid power numbers, but I don’t doubt he can keep it up. I do doubt that a full-fledged breakout into stardom is happening, so I’d gladly flip him for a struggling star like Austin Riley or someone who offers speed like Oneil Cruz.”
– Pierre Camus (Fantasy Endgame)

Luis Gil (SP – NYY)

“You’re not going to like this one. Luis Gil of the Yankees has been awesome so far. His 2.11 ERA and 1.01 WHIP have been a league saver for managers who drafted him late. However, his highest innings total in a season was 96 back in 2019. That doesn’t bode well for him being an impact starter in the latter part of the season and he should cross 60 IP by the end of this week. Gerrit Cole is working his way back, and it’s very possible Gil is the odd man out based on the innings concerns. His 4.7 BB/9 and 81% LOB rate mean that rougher times could also be on the horizon. Outside of HOU and BAL, Gil also hasn’t faced a lot of tough offenses. I know he’s been great, but if you have fantasy playoffs, you have to consider selling at the peak soon.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)

Ben Brown (SP – CHC)

“After tossing seven no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts in a start against the Brewers, it’s time to go door-to-door selling Ben Brown. He has split time between the bullpen and starting rotation this season, but it sure looks like he’ll be sticking around as a starter now. Through 46 1/3 innings, he has a 2.72 ERA and 1.06 WHIP to go with 55 strikeouts. And the strikeouts are nothing new for him. Over 72 2/3 IP in Triple-A last season, he struck out 100 batters (though it came with a 5.33 ERA). His 2.42 FIP is actually lower than his current ERA, while his 3.28xFIP and 3.17 SIERA are slightly higher. xERA is the outlier here at 4.20. And the xERA is more pessimistic because of Brown’s contact numbers. Among pitchers with at least 100 BIP, Brown’s .076 difference between his xwOBA (.326) and his actual wOBA (.250) is second only to Bailey Falter. When it comes to xSLG vs. SLG, his .140 difference is the highest. For xBA vs. BA, he’s in the Top 10 (or Bottom 10, depending on how you want to look at it). His Hard Hit % is 1st percentile, Barrel % is 8th percentile, and Average Exit Velocity is 1st percentile.

Seeing the picture yet? Want a little bit more? Ok, he’s also a two-pitch pitcher who relies on a plus fastball (he throws it over 62% of the time), but that fastball has a .326 xBA. This is why he’s been in the bullpen. And it’s why, despite being a promising young pitcher, regression is coming for Ben Brown. Starting pitching is abundant right now. Flip Brown for a buy low bat like George Springer (gulp!) or Jorge Soler.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)

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