I included some bigger names in this week’s fantasy baseball trade advice article. Some of these players just need patience. It’s still a long season and plenty of time to turn things around. Trade away your shares of players playing well and you could help balance out your roster and/or give you additional strength wherever your preference is. It’s never too early to start some trade discussions. Below are six players to buy low or sell high.
- 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 8)
Let’s look at this week’s fantasy baseball trade advice, including three players to trade for now and another trio to consider trading away ASAP.
Buy Low
Spencer Steer kind of had a safe fantasy production feel (if that is a thing) coming into this season. He hit .271 last year with 23 home runs and 15 stolen bases. Believing in him as a 20/20 player wasn’t far-fetched and he also hits in arguably the best ballpark for hitters. His current average of .248 is leaving something to be desired but it’s only the middle of May. It’s early and the possibility of 20 stolen bases seems like a lock since he’s already at 11. His walk rate and hard-hit percentage are higher, and his strikeout rate is lower than his final numbers from last season. He also has extra position eligibility, playing seven games at first and one game at second. He won’t be free, but in deeper leagues, I would be aggressive with some offers.
Bo Bichette is only hitting .218 with two home runs and a depressing .581 OPS. He has never finished a season hitting under .275, and that was in AAA. Toronto has been underwhelming and it’s not just Bichette who isn’t performing. George Springer is hitting just .200 and although Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting .276, he has only four homers this year. This time last week Bichette was in a 3-40 slump. Since then, he is 7-16 with a home run. Patience is key here for Bichette. If you’re in a league with some nervous owners, I would make an offer.
Like Toronto, Atlanta is not playing as well as originally expected. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Austin Riley are not putting up the expected numbers. Matt Olson is currently hitting .218 with five home runs. I would doubt Olson hits in the .280s with 54 homers again this year but I do believe better days are ahead. His strikeout rate is around the same as it has been over the last two seasons. Also, his launch angle and exit velocity are higher.
I keep hearing Olson’s name thrown around as a player to be concerned about. At some point, fantasy owners will need to decide on struggling players but with a veteran like Olson, patience is essential. Speaking of, I have to admit I was surprised to find Olson is only 30. So, yeah, if fantasy owners want to move on from the “struggling” Olson, I’d throw out some offers.
Sell High
Aaron Judge started the season slow but has picked it back up lately. He is currently hitting .234 with 10 home runs. I do not believe Judge will have a bad season. Will he hit 62 home runs as he did a few years ago? Probably not. This is more about a 32-year-old CF who is 6-foot-7 and 282 pounds. How long will the production last? Will the legs continue to hold up? For the excitement and fun Judge brings to the game, I hope he can continue the reliable production. In redraft leagues, I see no point in moving Judge unless your hitting can afford to lose a power hitter for pitching. This is more for dynasty league purposes. Judge is a player you would rather trade early than too late. See what kind of offers you can get.
Mitch Keller has put together two good starts back-to-back. He is now 4-3 with an ERA under 4.00. Keller will give you a full season of roller coaster starts. Don’t get me wrong, Keller is worth rostering and will provide you with solid starts at times. He will also lull you into complacency. If he is your fourth or fifth starter, it’s not so bad. If he is your ace, then you might have a long season ahead. He is not throwing his fastball or his sinker as hard as last year. His flyball percentage is higher as well. No stats are making me run to the bullpen, but with two recent starts, some owners might come calling. I would listen to offers.
With all the pitcher injuries this season, beggars can’t be choosers. Jameson Taillon, even in deep leagues, might’ve been a waiver wire add. Even if you drafted him, he didn’t cost you anything. In five games this year, Taillon is 3-1 with 18 strikeouts in 28 innings with a 1.61 ERA. His last start didn’t go so well, giving up two earned runs and three walks against two strikeouts in a four-inning losing effort. You could still move Taillon for an injured player, a struggling player or some bullpen help. For the past three seasons, Taillon has given up over 20 home runs and his strikeout percentage isn’t good. Just remember that Taillon can fill your rotation as a streamer, but he won’t be a reliable start every time. Sell now before the starts get worse.
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