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With the fantasy baseball regular season almost at the midway point, now is the time to start making trades. Whether you have a great record or a record under .500, there is always room to improve your fantasy team. So, reach out to those league mates and upgrade your team.
There also won't be many opportunities to upgrade your team on the waiver wire for the rest of the season. Of course, there will be players who could break out in the second half, but the biggest way to improve your team right now is by making trades.
This article will look at five players who fantasy managers should be buying low or selling high heading into Week 12 of the fantasy baseball season (June 10 - June 16). So, without further ado, here are five players to trade for or away in fantasy.
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Undervalued Fantasy Baseball Players to Trade For
SP Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays
This is the second straight week that Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman makes this list. It hasn't been a great year so far for the right-hander, who finished third in the American League Cy Young voting a season ago. Gausman has a 4.60 ERA with 59 strikeouts across 60 2/3 innings pitched this season.
The 33-year-old is also coming off a start against the Baltimore Orioles on June 3 where he allowed six runs on six hits with just three strikeouts in 6 1/3 IP. That outing not only raised his ERA by almost 50 points, but that was the third time this season that he has given up at least six earned runs in a start. Gausman had just three such starts all of last year.
The Orioles are all over Kevin Gausman tonight pic.twitter.com/2Xif0ELJeM
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 4, 2024
However, the Blue Jays pitcher is someone fantasy managers should be looking to buy low in fantasy. His walk rate (5.8%) and chase rate (32.3%) still rank pretty well, and he should figure things out as the season goes on. Don't forget, Gausman dealt with a shoulder injury in spring training, so his slow start could be tied to that. Still, his proven track record should give managers some confidence in trading for him.
3B/DH Christopher Morel, Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs third baseman Christopher Morel has been the unluckiest hitter in baseball in 2024. On paper, his stats seem weak, as he has just a .203 average, 11 home runs, and 37 RBI through the first 61 games. But, there is reason to believe Morel will finish with much better numbers than that.
For starters, his expected batting average (.265) is 62 points higher than his actual batting average (.203). Morel also ranks at the top of the league in several other categories, including expected slugging (.500), average exit velocity (90.6 mph), barrel rate (12.4%), hard-hit rate (46%), and walk rate (12.3%). The slugging third baseman hasn't been rewarded at the plate quite yet, but that time will eventually come.
That's why Morel is someone who fantasy managers should be looking to trade for. He has the potential to hit over 30 home runs and has been batting fourth in the Cubs lineup for most of the year. Expect his average to increase over the next few weeks while continuing to put up solid power numbers.
SP Jesus Luzardo, Miami Marlins
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo is another pitcher off to a rough start in 2024. He spent a couple of weeks on the injured list with left-elbow discomfort and has struggled even when healthy. Luzardo currently has a 5.30 ERA with 52 strikeouts after giving up nine earned runs in his last start against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 4.
There have been some mixed results from the southpaw this season, but he has shown some nice things as well in 2024. The 26-year-old threw six shutout innings against the New York Mets on May 17 and then followed that performance up by delivering eight scoreless innings with four strikeouts against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 22. But, after giving up nine earned runs in his worst start of the year, his value might never be lower.
Jesús Luzardo is the 'most likely' MLB player to be traded at the deadline, per @Ken_Rosenthal pic.twitter.com/NtQWL6O7VI
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) May 30, 2024
As a result, fantasy managers should be looking to buy him immediately before his next start. This is a pitcher who has finished with lower than a 3.75 ERA in back-to-back seasons, and there's a strong chance that he gets traded at the deadline. With teams like the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles possibly in on the left-hander, trade for Luzardo now because his value will only rise if he does get dealt next month.
Overvalued Fantasy Baseball Players to Trade Away
SP/RP Reynaldo Lopez, Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez has been one of the biggest surprises this season. After beginning his career as a starter for the Washington Nationals and Chicago White Sox, he eventually transitioned to the bullpen in 2022. But now Lopez is back as a starter and has looked fantastic in that role in 2024.
The right-hander has a 1.73 ERA and 55 strikeouts across 57 1/3 innings of work this season. Lopez has also given up two earned runs or less in nine of his 10 starts. With the way he has pitched in 2024, it's hard to envision selling him in fantasy, especially since he has SP/RP eligibility.
Reynaldo López strikes out a season-high 8 batters and now leads the NL with a 1.73 ERA! pic.twitter.com/Z6oPMrfx0S
— MLB (@MLB) June 1, 2024
However, we could see some regression from him over the next few months. His expected ERA (3.72), expected batting average against (.242), walk rate (8.8%), average exit velocity (88.7 mph), and hard-hit rate (39.7%) all don't rank particularly well. So, it seems Lopez has gotten a little lucky on the mound to start the year. That's why fantasy managers should be looking to trade him away while his value is this high.
C/1B/OF David Fry, Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Guardians utility specialist David Fry is another player off to a surprising start. He is hitting .342 with eight HRs, six doubles, and 27 RBI across 42 games. His position eligibility at catcher, first base, and outfield also makes him super valuable in fantasy.
However, the sole reason why fantasy managers should try to sell him is because of his potential limited playing time moving forward. He has sat out two of the past three games for the Guardians. With Steven Kwan also back from injury, is there enough playing time for Fry moving forward? It remains to be seen, but he's worth listening to offers for.
He hasn't earned a full-time role yet, and that might never happen, either. As a result, see what you can get for the Guardians utility specialist.
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