The final stretch for the fantasy season is approaching and it’s time to determine a strategy. If you play in a redraft or dynasty/keeper league you want to give yourself the best chance for success this season or next. You don’t want to find yourself scrambling at your league’s trade deadline, so planning now and making some improvements to your team could be crucial.
For this week I have some deeper league names to consider and a few that are probably higher rostered in leagues.
- 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 14)
Buy Low
In the last 30 days, Tyler Soderstrom has hit .350, 12 RBI and five home runs in 25 games. Soderstrom was called up on May 8th and managed to only hit .182 in May. Hopefully, Soderstrom is showing he is turning things around and the Athletics will continue to put his bat in the lineup.
He might have catcher eligibility in your league but don’t expect him to have it for next season. In 38 appearances, 37 of them have been at 1B. At only 22, Soderstrom could find some fantasy relevance this season. He could be a nice future add in deeper dynasty leagues.
His strikeout rate could use some work, but he has 20 more at-bats in June compared to May with five fewer strikeouts. It’s not an overwhelming stat but it’s progress. He shouldn’t cost you much now and could even be on your waiver wire if you’re interested.
Nick Lodolo was just placed on the injured list (IL) with a blister on his left finger. The lefty has a 2.96 ERA and an 8-3 record on the year. He also has 73 strikeouts in 70 innings. I am a little concerned about the blister since they can sometimes linger. He is scheduled to come off the IL by July 9th, so we will see if needs longer, but I wouldn’t expect a lengthy absence.
Since he just went on the IL, I would wait a few more days before making an offer to the Lodolo owners in your league. They will most likely realize what you are trying to do, so don’t tip your hand too soon. You don’t want to wait until Lodolo is ready to come off the IL before making an offer, though, so the window of opportunity to buy lower than usual is small.
Lodolo will still cost you but depending on your other league owner’s circumstances, they might want and/or need to trade a pitcher on the IL. Having Lodolo going into the second half of the season and fantasy playoffs could be a difference-maker.
Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF – CHC)
Pete-Crow Armstrong’s rookie campaign isn’t going the way we all expected or wanted. He is only hitting .202 with a .246 on-base percentage (OBP). He is a perfect 13-for-13 in stolen bases, though. If and when he gets on base, he can contribute to your fantasy team.
I would be more excited adding Crow-Armstrong in 5-OF leagues than a shallower 3-OF league but that also depends on the size of your league. If he isn’t on the waiver wire in your league, then he should be close.
Crow-Armstrong was a top prospect going into the season and I feel like the potential is still there, it’s just going to take a little longer. He’s a strong fielder and with Mike Tauchman still on the IL, Crow-Armstrong just needs a couple of breakout games to get going. I would be willing to take a gamble especially with the cost so low.
Sell High
Marcus Stroman is 7-3 with a 3.15 ERA on the year. He wouldn’t bring you a large return, but he pitches for a good team and some owners could be looking at just the win volume he could contribute.
Stroman only has a 6.60 K/9 on the year and his WHIP could use some work at 1.25. In his last 10 starts, he has issued multiple walks in eight. Stroman won’t offer you another level of value here and could only lessen as the season goes on. On the surface level, he looks like he could contribute to your fantasy team. For a team desperate for pitching, they might be willing to make a deal with you. I would see if I could flip him sooner rather than later.
Michael Lorenzen is 4-3 with a 3.04 ERA on the year. This sell-high is for deep leagues, but chances are some teams in those leagues need pitching. Flipping Lorenzen for a struggling bat could be done.
In six of his last eight starts, he has thrown a quality start. He has only allowed more than three earned runs twice this year. He is a pitcher who can give you innings at limited damage. The Rangers also have Tyler Mahle, Jacob deGrom and Cody Bradford returning from IL in the coming months. A rotation spot isn’t even a guarantee. The return for him would be small but I would see what I could get.
Byron Buxton is hitting and is currently healthy, it’s time to sell. In the last seven days, he is hitting .400 with two home runs. He has reached base safety in 12 of his last 15 games and is hitting .359 during that time. For the year, Buxton is hitting .255 with six homers and some speed with five stolen bases.
Buxton still carries that ‘what if’ possibility. What if Buxton can stay healthy? Think about what he could do. I wouldn’t get caught up in the possibilities and instead assume the worst — that he will probably have multiple IL stints the rest of the season.
Outfield is a weak position for some, and Buxton has name value. Mix that with what he is currently doing and you could get some value in return. I would shop him now.
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