Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice: Buy Low & Sell High (Week 18)

With the MLB trade deadline a week away, we should start seeing some trades. Some big names are almost certain to be moved. If a potential trade improves a certain player’s situation, taking action in your league before a trade is done could turn out to be a league-winning move.

This strategy comes with some risks of course. The player may not get moved at all. Perhaps the target is traded, but not to the desired destination. Sometimes, though, the potential reward outweighs the risk. Let’s take a look at this week’s buy low and sell high names to see if they are worth it.

Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice (Week 18)

Buy Low

Frankie Montas (SP – CIN)

So, Montas is definitely a buy-low target. He is perhaps even a waiver-wire add in deeper leagues. His Oakland days are definitely behind him. Montas currently has a 4.85 ERA and is 4-8 on the year.

Montas is being mentioned in trade rumors. That’s why I have him listed here. Perhaps a change of scenery can help him finish off the year strong. It’s definitely a risk, but he shouldn’t cost you much at all to acquire. For teams that are desperate for pitching, perhaps Montas could work for you.

Montas’ splits aren’t what you would think pitching in hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. He has a 5.20 ERA with 10 HR allowed on the road and a 4.50 ERA with only 4 HR allowed at home. Those stats are split evenly with 9 games a piece on the road and at home.

We are reaching desperate times for some owners and Montas is definitely a call for help. Even with the struggles, he could fit in at the back end of a rotation on a better team. He might not be like catching lightning in a bottle, but a bottle rocket can work at times.

Alex Vesia (RP – LAD)

The Dodgers’ bullpen is creating some buzz with Evan Phillips struggles lately. In the last 30 days, Phillips has a 7.84 ERA and two blown saves. Daniel Hudson has been getting more looks and taking advantage of the opportunities. In the last 30 days, Hudson has six saves-plus-holds. That’s twice as many as Phillips, and Hudson has a 0.77 ERA in that span.

Hudson might be taking over the closer role, but don’t rule out Vesia. During the same span, Vesia has a 0.96 ERA and two saves-plus-holds. If you play in a league in which holds are counted or combined with saves, Vesia could be a nice add.

For the season, Vesia has a 1.23 ERA, 11 saves-plus-holds, and 59 K in 44 IP. He’s probably a better add for category leagues, but if he ends up taking over the closer role in the near future, he would be an add everywhere.

Erick Fedde (SP – CWS)

Fedde could really benefit from a trade, at least in fantasy leagues. On the year, he has a 2.98 ERA, 7-3 record, and 104 K in 117 IP. Over 20 starts, Fedde has recorded 10 quality starts.

It is very likely that Fedde will be moved by the trade deadline. His name is being discussed in connection to the Dodgers and Orioles. Of course, other teams are also interested. Even if a team like the Cardinals add Fedde, it would still be a better situation than what he currently has. Fedde’s value will rise once a trade is complete, so attaining his services now would be a good move.

Sell High

Lawrence Butler (OF – OAK)

Butler has been a popular add this month. Chances are that he has already been added in your league. Perhaps you even picked him up.

So far in July, Butler has hit .417 with eight homers. He is doing pretty much all his damage against right-handers. For the season, he is hitting .269 with 10 HR against righties. Against lefties, he is hitting only .130 with no homers in only 23 at-bats. He definitely looks like a platoon-only player right now.

Butler has a 28% strikeout rate on the season, so I don’t expect what he is currently doing to last the rest of the season. He was basically a free add for you, and you can capitalize on his recent performance to flip him for something that can benefit you the rest of the season or beyond.

Kevin Gausman (SP – TOR)

Gausman has been a disappointment this year for fantasy owners. He has a 4.55 ERA and a 8-8 record. It’s been an inconsistent year for the veteran, and he has been hard to trust.

In the last 14 days, however, he is 2-0 with a 3.95 ERA. If you have Gausman, now might be the time to move him. With fantasy managers looking for pitching, Gausman has some name value despite his struggles this year. His expected ERA is 5.14 and expected SLG against is .493. Those numbers are obviously bad, and he has already allowed 16 HR this year. He allowed 19 HR in total last season.

Throw Gausman’s name out there and see what you can get. His value has lowered, but as I said before, some owners are desperate for pitching and would jump at the chance to take a struggling veteran.

Anthony Volpe (SS – NYY)

Volpe is highly rostered (mid-90s). Playing for the Yankees has something to do with that. He is hitting .254 on the year with seven homers and 17 SB. Volpe is a great defender with good speed, but I would expect more steals or a better average to justify hanging onto him.

In a redraft league, I would definitely look to move Volpe. I can see the argument to keep him in dynasty since he finished with a .209 average lasty and is doing much better in that department this year. I’m just not sure if Volpe can show us another level or if another level even exists.

Volpe’s rostered percentage shows that owners are interested in him and moving him shouldn’t be difficult. Flipping him for a pitcher or another positional hitter can be done. If you believe it could be useful for your team, I would do it.