FantasyPros Staff | Wed, May 22nd 2024, 1:35pm EDT

9 Players to Trade Now (Fantasy Baseball)

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 Players to Buy Low & Sell High

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

Julio Rodriguez (OF – SEA )

“The one MLB player that I am trying to buy low is Julio Rodriguez. He was drafted as a top 5 player to start the season but is hovering just inside the top 200 rankings to date. He’s starting to turn it around and ranks 100th over the past 30 days. The stolen bases are there with 9 on the season. He will start producing the home runs and RBI needed to be a top 5 player by the end of the season. I’m willing to give up anyone that I drafted in rounds 3 or later. I would also be willing to give up Jurickson Profar (OF-SD) who qualifies at multiple positions and is currently in the top 20 rankings to date.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)

Edwin Diaz (RP – NYM )

“The Mets signed Edwin Diaz to a record-breaking $100 million deal, the largest ever for a closer. I don’t care that he’s blowing saves. His ERA may be 5.50, but his xERA 2.88 and xFIP 2.84 tell me he will be just fine. Also, the K/9 is still an elite 13.5. Can we cut this guy some slack!? He didn’t even pitch in 2023 because of an injury and clearly there’s some rust issues he’s working through. Eventually, he will find his way back to the closer job sooner, not later. Why? Because they are paying him $100 million, that’s why! I would happily flip any mid-tier closer for Diaz in a heartbeat or even a starter that qualifies at reliever like Jordan Hicks, who will have innings concerns in the second have looming over him.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)

Matt Olson (1B – ATL )

“Now is the time to trade for Matt Olson before he heats up. It’s been a really slow start for Olson and many Braves players, but Olson is in the 96th percentile of hard hit rate and 92nd percentile of barrel rate. A 12.5% HR/FB rate is well below his career average of 21.7%. The strikeout rate is slightly up from last season and he’s chasing more pitches, but everything else looks similar to last season. A one-for-one deal might be difficult but a package involving someone like Seth Lugo, Aaron Nola or You Darvish could work.”
– Adam Ronis (Fantasy Alarm)

Francisco Lindor (SS – NYM )

“Francisco Lindor is going to have to start paying rent if he hangs around in the buy low section much longer. He’s been here for nearly two months now as his slow start inches closer to June. Through 48 games, he’s batting just .198 with a .620 OPS. His underlying numbers look fine, and his strikeout rate is actually down from last season and from his career number. His xwOBA (.339) points to better days ahead, especially when you consider that the 62-point gap between his xwOBA and his wOBA (.277) is among the biggest gaps in baseball. The .201 BABIP isn’t helping, either (his career number of .288 is right around the league average). Even with those disappointing numbers, he still has 7 HR and 6 SB. He’s one hot streak away from being right back on pace with his usual production, so I’m looking to buy low where I can. Maybe there is a package to be made where you sell high on Luis Gil (more on him below) along with someone like Alex Bregman or even Anthony Volpe to see if you can land Lindor.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)

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

Ranger Suarez (SP – PHI ) & Seth Lugo (SP – KC )

“The one MLB player that I am trying to sell high are any starting pitchers that started the season ranked outside of the top 300 but are now ranked in the top 20. The two starting pitcher that come to mind are Ranger Suarez and Seth Lugo. Both of these starting pictures have performed well and are currently in the top 20, but I see their trade value regressing going forward. Time to sell high on both of these if you find the right trade offer.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)

Giancarlo Stanton (OF – NYY )

“You have just been give the gift of a few healthy weeks of Giancarlo Stanton. So what should you do now? Trade him! Over his last 24 games, he’s hitting .264 with an .832 OPS. His 6 HR and 16 RBI have been outstanding, but he never puts in a full season and still strikes out way to much (33K in those last 24 games). I would gladly roll the dice on Brent Rooker over Stanton. They may have similar profiles, but I’ll put my money on Rooker to be in my lineup more frequently from now until the end of September.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)

Andrew Abbott (SP – CIN )

“Andrew Abbott is a player I would look to sell. He has a 2.68 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, but a 4.54 FIP and 4.45 xFIP. He only has a 6.79 K/9 and an 8.3% swinging strike rate. He had a 1.42 HR/9 and a 50.7% fly ball rate and with the weather heating up in Cincinnati, this isn’t going to continue. I’d trade him for Brandon Pfaadt.”
– Adam Ronis (Fantasy Alarm)

Luis Gil (SP – NYY )

“Luis Gil is pitching like an ace right now. Over his last four starts, he’s allowed just two earned runs over 24/13 IP while striking out 28 batters. His 2.39 ERA could actually be lower if not for one blowup start against the Brewers back in April. His expected ERA numbers are between 2.94 and 3.75, which indicates some minor regression is coming (but nothing crazy). The strikeout rate is good. He’s keeping the ball in the ballpark. All three of his pitches have a sub-.170 batting average against.

That all looks great. So why am I selling high? In short, it’s because I think he’s good, but I don’t think he’s THIS good. His BABIP is .217, his batting average against is .152, his swinging strike rate is 11.5%, and he walks too many batters. He’s also throwing his fastball more than 55% of the time and pairs it with a changeup (26.4%) and a slider (17.1%). Right now, it’s working for him, but I don’t think he’s going to be able to continue at that rate. And this is all before we consider that he is coming off Tommy John surgery. He threw four innings in 2023 after completing just 25 2/3 innings in 2022. He’s already thrown more innings in 2024 than he did in 2022 and 2023 combined. How many more innings can he realistically throw as a starter before he gets shifted to a bullpen role.

He’s pitching like an ace right now. If I can get anything close to SP1, or even SP2 value for Gil, I’m pulling the trigger on that deal. I’d aim high for someone like Kyle Schwarber if that manager is desperate for pitching but settle for Tyler O’Neill or a buy low on Xander Bogaerts or Spencer Steer.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)

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