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!

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With the trade deadline approaching in many leagues, who is your main target, and why? Also are you willing to “buy high” on that player?

Lawrence Butler (OF – OAK)

“I would “buy high” on Lawrence Butler. Not only is Brent Rooker still with the A’s to provide lineup protection, but I believe in the adjustments Butler made that have carried him to a staggering 10 HR in the month of July are for real. I don’t believe he can keep up this pace, however I do think Butler has really found something with the adjustment of his head and sight line to the ball. When a player has something like this click so strongly, it’s a huge confidence booster. Butler has power and speed, and I’m sure his managers are considering selling at the peak. I would be buying, though.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (OF – NYY)

“It may be a simple answer, especially after the past couple of days, but give me Jazz Chisholm wherever I can get him. The New York Yankees have scored 174 more runs than the Miami Marlins have this year. That means Chisholm should get a tremendous boost in counting categories in New York. If he keeps batting fifth, he has massive RBI potential hitting behind Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. And if he keeps playing third base, he will soon qualify at a premium position. Finding a player who qualifies at OF and CI is hard enough, not to mention a player who is a top-10 fantasy option at both positions.”
– Mick Ciallela (Fantrax)

Shohei Ohtani (DH – LAD)

“Shohei Ohtani, and I am absolutely willing to buy high. I could go on and on about how elite his underlying metrics are and the masterpiece that is his Statcast page, but that’s not new. What is new, is when Ohtani inevitably wins the National League MVP award. Being the first player in MLB history to do so while playing as DH in more than 50% of games. He is the best five-category player in fantasy and should finish strong as he looks to capture his third MVP.”
– Chase Davis (FantasyPros)

Joe Ryan (SP – MIN)

“You know what you need on your team, and now is the time to pay for whatever that need is if you’re in a position to win. For me, I like to load up on pitching from teams who should be in the playoff hunt during the fantasy playoffs. One guy I am interested in is Joe Ryan. The Twins are currently a Wild Card team, and Ryan’s expected stats are better than his actual. He is still striking out 27.2 percent of hitters, has the lowest walk percentage of his career (3.9), and his xERA is an excellent 2.84. I want to avoid pitchers who could get shut down or skipped in the rotation, and Ryan is not in danger of this. I’m willing to part with a player who pairs well with the team I’m trading with. Doing that is easier in a keeper/dynasty league, as I’m willing to part with a prospect like Jordan Lawlar at this point.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)

Elly De La Cruz (3B, SS – CIN)

“Admittedly, Elly De La Cruz isn’t going to be incredibly easy to trade for. Or rather, the proposition of making a trade offer for him is easier said than done. But, the Reds infielder is perhaps the only player who can make a significantly outsized impact in a single category where fantasy production is concerned in Roto leagues, with the potential to vault a team at the bottom of the standings in stolen bases near the top of the league leaderboard. With 55 stolen bases through 104 games, the 22-year-old could be a league winner in the truest sense of the phrase, and with 18 home runs, 70 runs scored, and 45 RBI so far, he’ll continue to provide quality production in other categories as well. Giving up too much in a trade is probably something to avoid as a practice, but De La Cruz is worth surrendering a lot via trade. ”
– Ben Rosener (Tigers Rebuild)

Corbin Carroll (OF – ARI)

“Call me a homer, yes! But Corbin Carroll is starting to come into form. He’s hit six home runs and stolen six bases in July. Both of these are highs for a given month. His average is still down, which should keep the cost more manageable. The Dbacks are playing some of the best ball in baseball right now, and that momentum is carrying over to his play. We are also seeing his confidence rise. I think he’ll return to 90% of the guy we’ve seen in the past, and hopefully, the discount is even steeper. ”
– Chris Welsh (FantasyPros)

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With the trade deadline approaching in many leagues, what player are you hoping to unload, and why? Also are you willing to “sell low” on that player?

Garrett Crochet (SP – CWS)

“I would “sell low” on Garrett Crochet. His innings seem to be catching up with him (4.85 July ERA); he didn’t get dealt to a contender and now could face an early shutdown. The White Sox don’t seem keen on giving him an extension, and clearly, now there is tension between the team and the player. I would bet Crochet doesn’t dare overextend himself the rest of ’24, and that could really hurt your fantasy stretch run.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)

“Garrett Crochet – He’s been one of the best starting pitchers of the year, but the non-move at the trade deadline to a contending team is a red flag. The obvious team context is worse, but prior to the thread he was threatening to not pitch into the playoffs. I fully expect his workload to ramp down, which could be a killer for H2H leagues. I am looking to move off of him for equal value.”
– Chris Welsh (FantasyPros)

Tanner Scott (RP – SD)

“Fantasy managers should have sold high on Tanner Scott when they had the chance before the deadline. As expected, the Marlins dealt their closer to a contender looking for bullpen depth. San Diego is Scott’s new home. Not only do they have a closer in Robert Suarez, but Suarez has been one of the best in the game. He is 6-1 with a 1.48 and has converted 23-of-26 save opportunities. If you still have Scott on your roster, there is no reason to keep him. So, yes, I would sell low. Scott is only going to pitch 20-25 more innings going forward. Even if you are desperate for ratio help, his innings will not have much of an impact without the possibility of consistent save chances.”
– Mick Ciallela (Fantrax)

Josh Lowe (OF – TB)

“Josh Lowe is who I’m hoping to unload and I am willing to sell low. We saw what he is capable of when he’s playing well, and he’s getting regular playing time. The problem is that he is not playing well, and the Rays have never given him an everyday role. He’s striking out over 31% of the time, and his wOBA sits at a weak .276. His xwOBA of .307 doesn’t bring hope, either. He’s not starting against lefties, and his .226 average against righties isn’t helping when he does play.”
– Chase Davis (FantasyPros)

Jeimer Candelario (1B, 3B – CIN)

“Jeimer Candelario has been a weird fantasy player this year. He has smacked 17 homers with 50 RBI and 41 runs scored and has 1B/3B eligibility, which someone in your league may need. He is allergic to walks, which craters his OBP to a gross .227, but his BABIP has been lower than his career average, suggesting there is room for improvement. At this point in the season, selling low on someone is perfectly fine if you can get a piece you need, like a fifth OF or back-end SP.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)

Paul Goldschmidt (1B – STL)

“Paul Goldschmidt’s xwOBA has fluctuated at times this season, but an overall spike in strikeouts this year has weighed down both his expected and surface-level numbers. The veteran’s 28.4% strikeout rate is easily a career-worst for a full season, having finished above the 24.0% mark just twice before. Notably, the 36-year-old is batting just .231 with a .326 xwOBA, and while his .451 xSLG, 10.2% barrel rate, and 48.9% hard-hit rates are all still reasonably good, the fact remains there are so many other lower averages, power-hitting options at first base for fantasy managers to consider. Michael Toglia and Rhys Hoskins should provide similar or better production. To that end, it might be prudent to trade the first baseman for help elsewhere and replace him via waivers with a player like Toglia or Hoskins, even if the return in a hypothetical trade isn’t what you’d expect for a player with Goldschmidt’s track record.”
– Ben Rosener (Tigers Rebuild)

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