Fantasy baseball enthusiasts 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 take a closer look at some players that they’re targeting for these types of trades. Our experts have been closely monitoring the latest player trends and performance metrics to identify key players you should consider buying low and selling high in order to maximize your roster’s potential.
By leveraging our exclusive trade analyzer and relying on advanced metrics and our comprehensive player rankings and player projections, our experts have determined which players you should be targeting in trades, and which ones you should be looking to move. So, whether you’re in need of a roster shake-up or simply looking to capitalize on a player’s hot streak, this article is here to guide you through the process.
Let’s dive into these trade recommendations, analyzing the rationale behind each move and providing you with actionable advice to help you dominate your league. And 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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Players to Buy Low and Sell High
Which one MLB player are you trying to buy low and why? Also, who are you willing to give up for him?
Alek Manoah (SP – TOR)
“Alek Manoah was always in a position to regress this year — his xERA, FIP, and xFIP were all more than one run higher than his actual ERA in 2022 — but his current pace is so extreme that he is now overextended in the wrong direction. His ERA of 5.40 is easily the highest of his career, and even if he were to end the season at a disappointing 4.00 mark, that would still mean a significantly improved performance for the remainder of the year. It’s likely that fantasy managers aren’t dumping Manoah, but probably hoping for some small return on their initial investment. Someone like Nick Castellanos or Christian Yelich — as long as he is healthy — might get a deal done.”
– Mario Mergola (Sporfolio)
Spencer Torkelson (1B – DET)
“A player I am very interested in buying low currently is Spencer Torkelson. The former top prospect has disappointed many early on, batting just .238 to begin the season. The first baseman has suffered more from bad luck of late, however, as evidenced by a 47.1% hard hit and 8.4% barrel rate. He should be available at an extreme discount from frustrated fantasy managers and is sure to be very affordable for those willing to gamble on the slugger finally making the right adjustments at the plate.”
– Chris Schommer (FantasyPros)
Joe Musgrove (SP – SD)
“I am in hot pursuit of Joe Musgrove wherever I can find him. I don’t know if anyone has noticed, but the pitching landscape is a little ugly right now, and Musgrove’s numbers appear to fit right in that group. But his underlying metrics suggest there is improvement on the way. His xERA is 3.95 compared to the real 6.63 he’s carrying around. His BABIP suggests plenty of unlucky hits, and his walk percentage of 9.1 is 2-3 percentage points higher than expected for the rest of the season. He broke his foot on February 28, meaning he has yet to fully adjust to the new rules. I’m willing to roll the dice that he will get there, and I’d love for someone to take a player like Geraldo Perdomo or James Outman for him.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
Tim Anderson (SS – CWS)
“Tim Anderson has dealt with some injuries and has exactly zero home runs to go with 13 runs scored, five RBI, five stolen bases, and a .257 AVG through 24 games. But the track record is there, and there are some encouraging signs in his expected numbers. His xwOBA is .320, while his wOBA is just .272. That -0.048 diff puts him in the Top 15 of qualifying batters in terms of expected quality of contact vs. quality of contact. His xBA (.286 vs. 257) and xSLG (.400 vs. .307) tell similar stories. The Tim Anderson manager in your league is probably frustrated. See if you can flip a fellow buy low like Lance Lynn or someone like Dylan Cease, knowing you’ll get 10+ HR and 15+ SB to go with a solid batting average from Anderson the rest of the way.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)
Miguel Vargas (1B,2B – LAD)
“Miguel Vargas overall line of. 225 BA/.336 OBP/.426 SLG/.762 OPS is quite underwhelming. However, over the last two weeks, Vargas has picked thing up with 3 HR and 11 RBI over his last 45 ABs. With his position flexibility and high prospect pedigree, now would be the perfect time to pounce on Vargas. Perhaps a streaking Orlando Arcia would be the perfect buy low/sell high exchange. ”
– Joe Pisapia (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?
Ryan Mountcastle (1B – BAL)
“Ryan Mountcastle was an ideal draft target because he was simply undervalued for the majority of the offseason. According to FantasyPros’ Average Draft Position, Mountcastle was routinely available after the 150th pick. Now, he’s arguably a top-75 player. That jump is less about Mountcastle than it is fantasy managers now seeing his true value, but we are closer to his ceiling than his average. Mountcastle already has nine home runs on the year, and, if he finishes around the 30-home run mark, you can trade him for a solid pitcher — someone like Pablo Lopez — while still capturing roughly one-third of his power production. ”
– Mario Mergola (Sporfolio)
Shane Bieber (SP – CLE)
“Shane Bieber is a perfect sell-high candidate. The right-hander has seen a sharp decline in his ability to miss opposing bats, as evidenced by a dismal 5.04 xERA combined with a significant drop in K%, down from 25.0% to a less-than-optimal 18.5% since last season. Fantasy managers should look for a potential suitor sooner than later before the ace’s value drops even further.”
– Chris Schommer (FantasyPros)
James Outman (OF – LAD)
“We might be at the peak of what James Outman will give us for the rest of the season, and it would be an excellent time to jump ship. His Statcast profile has slowly gone from power red to meh, and his expected stats support this. With a current SLG% of .529 and xSLG% of .411, he’s not going to be able to offset that crazy high strikeout rate as well. He is also in the first percentile in Whiff%, so while he may have a hot streak now and again, the cost may outweigh the benefit. As mentioned above, I’d have no problem selling him for Musgrove.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
Bryce Elder (SP – ATL)
“Bryce Elder is probably the featured image on the Sell High Wikipedia page right now. Does anyone really think he is THIS good? Probably not. But pitching has been whacky this season, and the bottom line is he has a sub-2.00 ERA right now. For fantasy managers desperate for pitching, they can talk themselves into Elder the same way Detroit Lions fans talked themselves into thinking their team drafting Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall was a good thing. Edler’s xERA is 4.59, and his xBA, xSLG, and xwOBA all indicate regression is coming. Aim high for a Tim Anderson swap and see what that manager says, but be willing to settle for someone like Ke’Bryan Hayes.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)
MacKenzie Gore (SP – WAS)
“I know MacKenzie Gore has a 3.29 ERA and three wins on the year, but he has a 1.46 WHIP, and that will eventually come back to haunt him. Gore is still a 2 pitch pitcher on an awful team (no matter how many times they beat the Mets). Perhaps you can package him while he still has some of that old prospect shine on him with another arm to move up a tier of SP or get some UT bat help. ”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
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