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 and Sell High
What one MLB player are you trying to buy low and why? Also, who are you willing to give up for him?
George Kirby (SP – SEA)
“George Kirby – He’s close to returning, which eats a bit into the ability to buy low. It was easier to do that about two weeks ago. There still looks to be one more rehab start, though, which may hold back some of the top-end value. Pitching injuries could make him more expensive, but also could make owners worried about it in general, and look to sell before he comes back. Luis Castillo‘s struggles and Logan Gilbert‘s injury could help bring the value down. My hope here, though, is that Kirby could come back and jump right into the top-10 starting pitchers. If you can get him for 90 cents on the dollar, I am looking to aggressively buy a usually durable deep inning pitcher.”
– Chris Welsh (FantasyPros)
Dylan Cease (SP – SD)
“Dylan Cease has had a rough start to the year. The good news is that his velocity is still fine, and his 10.4 K/9 is still elite. Walks and inefficiencies have been his undoing, but Cease has struggled in the past with these issues in his White Sox days. He spoiled us last season with near perfection. His 5.21 ERA is higher than his xERA (4.21) and FIP (3.33). It’s not often you can acquire an ace, so maybe take an overperforming Pete Crow-Armstrong who still has a ton of swing and miss in his game and flip him for Cease.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
Salvador Perez (C, 1B – KC)
“It is weird to suggest buying low on a catcher, but Salvador Perez qualifies at 1B in most leagues, so hear me out. Perez is ranked 17th in xwOBA (.408) while his current wOBA is at a terrible .297. His batting average is .240, but his xBA is an absurdly high .324. And to round out the slash line, his current slugging percentage of .380 is supposed to be .593. What gives? It’s challenging to identify what’s off with his profile when looking at Statcast and FanGraphs. His BABIP aligns with his career average, and his strikeout and walk rates are also typical. Essentially, Perez may be experiencing a run of intensely lousy luck. If you need help at 1B or play in a two-catcher league, I’d offer someone like Hunter Goodman to acquire him.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
Bryan Reynolds (OF – PIT)
“Bryan Reynolds is batting just .224 on the season, including a .167 batting average through the first week of May. The counting stats remain solid, but the Reynolds manager may be getting frustrated by the low average, especially of late. But when I look under the hood, most of Reynolds’s expected stats are in line with 2024 and with what he has done in previous seasons. And his .359 xwOBA (wOBA measures quality of contact and is my preferred metric for just how real or fake a player’s recent production is) is significantly higher than his .287 wOBA. Ditto for his xSLG (.533 vs. 361) and xBA (.268 vs. .224). I’m looking to acquire Reynolds and lock in his high floor if I can ship off a pitcher in this range for him: Bailey Ober, Sonny Gray, Bryan Woo, Robbie Ray, MacKenzie Gore, Ryan Pepiot, Nathan Eovaldi.”
– 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?
Brice Turang (2B – MIL)
“Brice Turang – It looks like we’re seeing a near-gear hitting three early-season home runs, and pacing to find career highs. On the positive, he’s barreling the ball more than ever and hitting the ball as hard as he’s ever hit it. Part of this has come from increased bat speed. A lot of this is a reason to buy in, which I don’t agree with. The part of the sell is some disbelief in the power long term. He’s doing all of his damage on fastballs. He had an average EV last season against fastballs of 86 MPH. This season, it is up to 93 MPH, which is great. I’d expect pitchers to adjust. He’s down on his zone contact percentage by four percent. One of the big ones is his career low pulled air%, which is just 2%. I don’t think he is a must sell, as if he steals 50 bases again, that’ll play, but he still hits lower in the lineup, and I don’t buy the power. Only sell on the high though.”
– Chris Welsh (FantasyPros)
Casey Mize (SP – DET)
“Casey Mize has been helpful to fantasy managers, but over his last 6 starts, his K/9 is at just 6.63, and his 2.70 ERA belies a 4.40 FIP. The Tigers are flying high, and Mize still offers that youthful gleam to other managers. Let’s face it, he’s a feel-good story. However, those stats suggest a horror story on the horizon. I’d flip him for a hot bat like the Dodgers’ Andy Pages.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
AJ Smith-Shawver (SP – ATL)
“AJ Smith-Shawver just pitched a masterful game against the Reds on Monday. He threw eight innings, allowed only one hit, walked four, and struck out five. This is the definition of a sell high. Quickly capitalize on this start. Smith-Shawver’s ERA is 3.00, but his xERA is 5.31. His FIP and xFIP are aligned in the 4.00 range. Opposing hitters are batting .244 against his four-seamer, but the xBA against the pitch is .384. This is not a recipe for success. I’d look to acquire a closer-in-waiting like Porter Hodge or a batter like Bryan Reynolds, if I want to aim higher.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
Paul Goldschmidt (1B – NYY)
“Paul Goldschmidt looks like a completely different player in his first season with the Yankees. Thirty-seven years old is pretty late for reinventing yourself, but maybe that’s exactly what he needed to do to stick around in the Show. Through 36 games, he’s batting .351 with three home runs, 21 runs scored, 17 RBI, and two stolen bases. That average alone is eye-popping for an aging hitter who batted .245 for the Cardinals last season. So what gives? Well, it looks like he’s completely adjusted his approach and is focusing more on making contact, even if the contact he’s making isn’t as hard as it was in the past. His strikeout rate is down to 17.6% from 26.5% in 2024, but his Hard Hit % is also down to 23.9% from 40% last year. Average exit velocity and Barrel rates are also way down, and his BABIP is an unsustainable .415. I applaud the changes, but there’s some smoke here. The power is likely to be lacking, and the batting average is going to come back down to Earth. I’m selling high at what I think is Goldy’s peak while another fantasy manager still thinks more power is on the way. If I flip him, I’m aiming for Freddy Peralta, George Kirby, Joe Ryan, Zac Gallen, Kevin Gausman, or Jesus Luzardo.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)
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