This week I have six total players to consider adding or moving, including a couple of bigger-name players and a couple of reserve-role players. Below are your Week 7 buy-low and sell-high candidates.
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Start/Sit Lineup Advice
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice (Week 7)
Let’s look at a few players to trade now in fantasy baseball leagues.
Buy Low
Randy Arozarena is hitting just .152 with 44 strikeouts in 132 at-bats. That’s not the production fantasy owners expected from a fifth/sixth-round pick. In the previous three seasons, Arozarena hit at least 20 home runs and stole at least 20 bases. He’s currently at six home runs and six stolen bases this season. Even with early struggles, he should still reach his 20/20 expectations. His career batting average low was last season at .254. I could see him hit .245 to .250 this year. If owners are searching to replace the struggling Arozarena, throw out some discount offers. His launch angle is currently higher this season than last and his K% is also better. Better times will come.
A .195 batting average with one home run and two stolen bases in 32 games is far from a .296 average with 41 home runs. Fantasy owners keep chasing that 2019 season of Alex Bregman. Those days are probably in the past, but Bregman is better than what he is currently producing. He started slowly last year with a .240 batting average in the first half before finishing with a .290 average in the second half. He’s in a contract year so he wants to perform better. Fantasy owners could be tired of dreaming about past years and are ready to move on from the third baseman. I would gamble that Bregman and the Astros will heat up sooner rather than later.
This buy-low pick is mainly for dynasty leagues. I wouldn’t say Jack Leiter isn’t necessary for redraft leagues, but I imagine he’s on the waiver wire. Leiter didn’t look good in his MLB debut. I suspect nerves and it being a road game helped contribute to the poor outing. He was sent back to the minors and has continued his resurgence this year. After struggling his first few years in the minors, Leiter has appeared to bounce back.
Leiter’s K/9 rate is up, his walk rate is down and his HR/9 is way down. I would expect Leiter to get the call back soon. The Rangers have Max Scherzer, Tyler Mahle and Jacob deGrom ready to come off the injured list (IL) later in the year, so Leiter owners might feel he will be put aside. That could happen but expect Leiter to perform better in his next stint up. If that does happen, owners will be less likely to move a top pitching prospect. Trade for Leiter now before he reaches the majors again.
Sell High
Jurickson Profar owners are loving his fantasy numbers this season. His .341 average, five home runs and 25 RBI are fantastic. Remember this though, he has hit 20 home runs once in his career (five years ago), had over 70 RBI just once (six years ago) and had a season-ending batting average of over .250 just twice in his career, the last time was in the shortened 2020 season. He does have a low strikeout rate, never going over 20% since his debut season. You could ride the early success of Porfar and see how long it lasts. However, an owner in your league might be desperate for some OF help. See what you can get.
Bryan De La Cruz is hitting .263 with seven home runs, 20 RBI and 21 runs. These numbers aren’t bad. De La Cruz’s name is causing some excitement that this outfielder could have fantasy worth. In the first half of last season, De La Cruz hit nearly .280. In the second half, he hit just .228. He plays for Miami, which doesn’t add to the appeal. They might be trading away more players, leaving De La Cruz by himself.
With seven home runs already, owners might believe he can top the 19 home runs he finished with last year. Cruz’s ratios are close to what they were last year at this time. He strikes me as a hot starter and someone who will cool off during the year. His preseason ranking was just below 300 overall and around 50th for the outfield position. I don’t see De La Cruz being more than what he was last year, but some owners could use that production or believe he has another level. He seems like a good flip for a needed reliever.
Freddy Peralta is currently 3-1 and is considered the ace of the Milwaukee staff. He’s a fine pitcher but if you can move him, you should consider it. He has only pitched six innings three times this season. His ERA is at 3.49 while his expected ERA is at 3.91, that’s not terrifying but his BB% and barrel% are below league average. He hasn’t pitched over 100 innings in back-to-back seasons and I would be a little concerned about his durability as the season continues. Peralta is a good pitcher. Some owners would jump at the chance to acquire him, especially with the amount of pitcher injuries this year. Throw his name out there and see what owners are willing to give up.
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