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 Players to Buy Low & Sell High
What one MLB player are you trying to buy low and why? Also, who are you willing to give up for him?
Jake Burger (1B, 3B – TEX)
“Jake Burger – His cost should be at or near the lowest it will be all season. He has one of the lowest BABIPs in baseball at under .100, while the majority of his hitting profile is stable. His barrel%, hard hit%, and exit velocity are in line with last year, yet his strikeout percentage is lower than it ever has in his career. Despite a .100 average, he already has two home runs. Once he gets going in that friendly hitting environment, the run and RBI opportunities should be plentiful in Texas. I would look to try and take a decent streaming pitcher to move to get someone concerned about Burger. Something like a Max Meyer would make sense. I would be looking to get Burger at 80-85 cents on the dollar (or lower).”
– Chris Welsh (FantasyPros)
Rafael Devers (3B – BOS)
“It may sound crazy considering the start he had to the season, but I would attempt to buy low on Rafael Devers. He struggled to find his swing in the first five games of the season, striking out 15 times and going hitless in 19 at-bats. It could be the move to the designated hitter role or seeing just 14 total at-bats during spring training that caused the veteran to stumble out of the gates. However, Devers is 10-for-24, with one home run, eight RBI, and just three strikeouts over his last seven games. If Devers is available, I am willing to part with someone like Jazz Chisholm or Tommy Edman or a package deal with either and a lower-level starting pitcher.”
– Jesse Garcia (FantasyPros)
Matt Olson (1B – ATL)
“I would be kicking the tires on Matt Olson if his manager is frustrated about the early returns. Olson is hitting just .229 with one home run and five RBI. However, he has been extremely unlucky in the early going. Olson has an expected batting average of .316 and an expected slugging percentage of .762. His luck will turn around, and Atlanta’s offense will get rolling soon enough. I ranked Olson as a third-round pick before the season, and nothing I have seen thus far this year has changed my mind. If someone would be willing to take a player like Manny Machado or Jose Altuve for Olson, I would do that deal in a heartbeat.”
– Mick Ciallela (Fantrax)
JJ Bleday (OF – ATH)
“Try to get JJ Bleday thrown into a trade. He was a serviceable fantasy outfielder last year, and now the Athletics play their home games in that tiny Sacramento Park. The first five games in Sacramento sailed over the total. Bleday is off to a modest start but the BB/K ratio indicates better things are coming.”
– Scott Pianowski (Yahoo! Sports)
Adolis Garcia (OF – TEX)
“I’d be interested to see how low I can go to acquire Adolis Garcia. Coming off a down year and beginning 2025 with a whimper, Garcia’s value cannot possibly get lower. He is slashing .184/.279/.421 with a wOBA .310. However, his xBA is .286, and his xSLG is .635, and those are numbers I could definitely use in my outfield, especially as injuries (i.e., Jackson Merrill) have begun to accumulate. Once his BABIP corrects course from its current .156, it’ll be wheels up for the 32-year-old. If someone is willing to flip him for an overperformer like Kyren Paris, I’ll take that and run.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
Dylan Cease (SP – SD)
“Fresh off an implosion in his recent start, I’m gladly buying low on Dylan Cease. These early sample sizes are really fun when you start diving into numbers. His ERA currently sits at 7.98, while his FIP is 2.73 and his xERA is 2.76. But after allowing nine earned runs against the Athletics, it’s possible the Cease manager in your league is panicking, especially if they need some hitting. Pounce on your chance to lock in 200 strikeouts this season and buy low Cease in exchange for someone like Michael Harris, Anthony Santander, or Luis Robert.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)
What one MLB player are you trying to sell high right now, and why? Also, who would you try to get in return?
Cedric Mullins (OF – BAL)
“Cedric Mullins has gotten off to a terrific start, hitting .313 with an OPS over 1.000, 3 HR and 2 SB. However, his bat speed and hard hit rates remain below league average and his BABIP is 60 points higher year over year. Considering he’s been a .230 hitter for two straight years, I would capitalize on this torrid opening to the year for Mullins. Perhaps consider flipping him for a pitcher like Kris Bubic or Brady Singer if you have OF depth, or the waiver is bountiful.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
“I would attempt to sell Cedric Mullins right now if you can find a trade partner in your league. Coming into play on April 8, he has a .286 average, three home runs, 12 RBI, and two stolen bases in 10 games. As good as he has been to open the season, his recent history tells you that the batting average is not sustainable. His average has fallen under .240 each of the last two seasons, and he had four months last season with an average below .225. I would look to package Mullins and another player for someone like Nico Hoerner, a consistent fantasy asset with a reliable batting average and the ability to steal bases.”
– Jesse Garcia (FantasyPros)
Zac Gallen (SP – ARI)
“Zac Gallen – This isn’t quite “sell high” as he is coming off a not-great start, but this was followed up from his 13-strikeout performance. It feels like Gallen will be like this all year. If he can command his fastball, that will set up the changeup and curve, which will equal good results. When that fastball is bad, he doesn’t command the changeup enough and becomes hittable. I think the ups and downs may not be worth it. I would wait for that next big outing and try to move off of him on the high. Maybe you could buy low on a Marcus Semien to move Zac Gallen. Another idea to explore is getting a guy like Casey Mize and a closer like Jose Alverado. Not everyone is sold on Mize, nor on Alverado closing the major of the year. ”
– Chris Welsh (FantasyPros)
Nolan Arenado (3B – STL)
“Many of the players off to hot starts were late-round picks or waiver wire adds, so I would not sell just to sell. Having said that, if someone thinks Nolan Arenado is “back,” I would gladly let that person have him the rest of the way. Arenado is hitting .316 but has just one homer and six RBI thus far. His expected stats are well below average (his xSLG is lower than Masyn Winn‘s). Arenado is little more than a compiler at this stage in his career. That could be useful depending on your roster build, but I would rather have a player with some upside.”
– Mick Ciallela (Fantrax)
“If I have Nolan Arenado, I am trying to unload him right now. He is slashing .316/.422/.474 with a wOBA of .384, but an unsustainable .324 BABIP buoys all of these. His xBA is .236, and his xwOBA is a full one hundred points lower at .284. According to Statcast, he has ONE barrel in 45 plate appearances. If I need pitching, I’d be interested in flipping Arenado for someone like Jack Flaherty.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
Brice Turang (2B – MIL)
“Maybe your league isn’t filled with Brice Turang truthers, but I’d at least ask around. He is still going to bat ninth a fair amount of the time, and I don’t trust him against lefties (.548 OPS). Perhaps his hot start could be flipped for a boring but reliable SP, someone like Luis Castillo or Bailey Ober. Or maybe the Ketel Marte or Matt McLain managers are motivated to make a trade after losing their keystone guys recently.”
– Scott Pianowski (Yahoo! Sports)
Hunter Greene (SP – CIN)
“Hunter Greene looks like one of the best pitchers in baseball right now. Through three starts, he has 23 strikeouts against just three walks over 20 2/3 innings to go with a 1.31 ERA and a bunch of underlying data that says this is legit. And that’s why I want to be careful here. Selling high doesn’t mean you don’t think a player is good. It just means you are willing to sell them at their peak to return the maximum value. And that’s where I’m at with Greene. I DO think he’s really good. And at 25 years old, this is what a breakout would look like. But he has a history of arm injuries — including a Tommy John surgery several years ago — and he’s topping 100 MPH in the ninth inning of games right now. You never want to predict or project injuries, but I’d argue we are in the LIKELY territory here instead of just being possible. So I’m selling high on Greene while he’s healthy and looking like a Cy Young candidate and targeting hitting to help my lineups in the form of Alex Bregman, Kyle Schwarber, or maybe even a Ronald Acuna Jr.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)
Corbin Burnes (SP – ARI)
“I was fading Corbin Burnes coming into the season. In fact, I thought his rotation mate Zac Gallen had a better return on his ADP investment, considering where they each stood on the board. Burnes faded a tad down the stretch last season, and so far, his velocity is down in 2025 on some pitches. Could this 5.79 ERA be a slow start? But the FIP, xFIP, and xERA are all between 5-6, which is troubling. Perhaps. It may also be three straight years of 190+ innings taking their toll. I’m not selling for too cheap. I would want a Nathan Eovaldi-level arm and a bat (maybe a Heliot Ramos) to open negotiations.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
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