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 Waiver Wire Assistant
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Tools
- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball Buy Low Targets
What one MLB player are you trying to buy low right now and why? Also, who would you try to get in return?
“Blake Snell has an ERA of 5.38 with a 1.37 WHIP, but since returning from the IL, Snell has been a completely different pitcher. Over his last 2 starts, Snell has 13 innings pitched with 12 strikeouts and two walks and has given up just two earned runs. Snell has no doubt been a roster killer for most who have drafted him: late signing, bad start, then an injury. But if Snell is finally “right,” he can be a definite difference-maker down the stretch for fantasy teams.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
“Let’s pretend for just a second that you’re short in the power department – like you could just use a few more home runs and a boost in RBIs. And let’s further imagine that you only need this temporarily and don’t really care how long you’re able to access it. Welp, friends, then buying low on Giancarlo Stanton is the move for you! Our favorite oft-injured player has the fastest average bat speed (80.7 mph) in baseball and does it 98.1 percent of the time. (Of note, the top three players in baseball “blast” percent of contact are Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Juan Soto.) Speaking of those two, Stanton will slot in behind them when he returns from the IL, and they’re on base a lot. Stanton could be a boost, but trusting his health is a fool’s errand, so I’m not giving up much more than a Nick Pivetta for him.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
“We’re a long way from my preseason bold prediction about Zach Eflin pushing for AL Cy Young votes. Eflin has had a strange season, and his year kind of mirrors the bizarre 2024 the Rays are having. The Rays already moved Aaron Civale, and Eflin could be the next out the door for penny-pinching Tampa. And while I was bullish on the Rays getting the most out of Eflin, getting out of that ballpark would not be the worst thing for him. I’ve seen the Braves, Brewers, and Cardinals mentioned as potential landing spots for the veteran righty. As an Eflin manager, I’d prefer the Braves, but all three are intriguing for different reasons. Let’s move Eflin to a contender, give him a reset, and allow for his significantly better expected numbers to overtake his less impressive actual ones. In fantasy, you can probably get him for cheap right now. I mention my sell-high pick below as one player you can move for him, and a few other comparable trade candidates are Isaac Paredes, Nick Castellanos, or Yandy Diaz.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)
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Fantasy Baseball Sell High Targets
What one MLB player are you trying to sell high right now, and why? Also, who would you try to get in return?
“Pete Alonso has continued to decline in many metrics over the last few seasons. This year, he had a great June (5 HR, 19 RBI, .272 BA), but he hit .220 in April, .234 in May, and .240 in July. Alonso still has power, but the slugging percentage was only above .500 in June and no other month. The Polar Bear still has name-brand value, and I would take Alec Burleson and Brandon Pfaadt or Blake Snell in a second for Alonso for the rest of the season.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
“Trea Turner has had a pretty fantastic year, but now is your last chance to sell him high before the ol’ regression monster arrives and tanks your stretch run. Turner is currently slashing .337/.396/.531, which is outstanding for the 31-year-old shortstop. But his expected slash line is .280/.345/.467, and that is a long way to fall from his current pedestal. If you need stolen bases, he is projected to pick up another 10 of them, which is probably how I would try to sell him to league mates. (That and great name recognition are your best selling points.) The player I am most interested in right now is Ketel Marte, whose numbers are similar to Turner’s but without the expected regression.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
“Ezequiel Tovar has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball over the last two weeks. Not only does he have a 10-game hitting streak, he has multiple hits in seven of those 10 games. He’s now up to 16 HR on the season, thanks to a recent surge where he hit four in three days, and his AVG is now up to .280. That’s the good. The bad is that his expected numbers paint a different story. His xBA is .232, that .048 difference between AVG and xBA is the third-biggest in baseball among players with at least 150 balls in play. What about his Slugging, you ask? His .082 difference there is the fifth-biggest in baseball. “But Mike, you always talk about xwOBA. Surely his quality of contact numbers are better?” I’m happy you asked. They’re actually even worse. His .053 difference there (wOBA minus xwOBA) is the second-biggest, behind only Josh Smith. Get the point? Sell high on the heels of this hot streak and see if you can grab a pitcher like Zach Eflin or Carlos Rodon. ”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)
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