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We are less than one week away from the MLB trade deadline. The trade deadline is set for July 30 at 6 p.m. ET. That means now is the perfect time to see what it would take to acquire players like Jazz Chisholm Jr. or Cody Bellinger -- two players who could be moved before Tuesday's deadline.
While Chisholm and Bellinger are not on this week's trade target list, they are two players who could be solid additions to your fantasy team. This list below, though, will contain four players fantasy managers should buy low or sell high heading into Week 19 of the MLB season (July 29 to August 4).
So, without further ado, here are two buy-low targets and two sell-high targets right now in fantasy.
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Undervalued Fantasy Baseball Players to Trade For
OF Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros
On June 3, Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker exited the game early after fouling a ball off his shin. The Astros called the injury a right shin contusion and stated that Tucker would not miss a ton of time. Well, fast forward seven weeks later and the All-Star outfielder is still not close to a return.
At this point, it's fair to assume that Tucker suffered more than a shin contusion, as he is slowing ramping up his on-field activity. However, he is a player fantasy managers should be trading for ahead of Week 19. Now, you should only buy low on the 27-year-old if you are in a good position to make the playoffs. He might miss a few more weeks, so if you are fighting for a playoff spot, it might not be worth trading for him.
Kyle Tucker just keeps mashing pic.twitter.com/uLHlvrMLK7
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 1, 2024
But if you are in first place or at the top of the standings, see what it would take to acquire him. He will be back before September -- according to Astros general manager Dana Brown -- and that will be big for managers in the fantasy playoffs. Don't forget, Tucker was an American League MVP candidate before his injury in June. He was hitting .266 with 19 home runs, 11 doubles, and 40 RBI through his first 60 games. So, make the move now and acquire the three-time All-Star.
SP Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen has emerged as one of the best pitchers in the game. He finished top five in the National League Cy Young voting in back-to-back seasons while striking out a combined 412 batters since 2022. But the right-hander has struggled on the mound recently in 2024.
Over his last four starts, Gallen has given up 15 runs (13 earned runs) across 18 innings pitched with a whopping 11 walks. The 2023 All-Star did throw five scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs his last time out on July 20, but he also issued a season-high six walks. As a result, now is the time to buy low on the Diamondbacks pitcher.
Zac Gallen, 81mph Hammer. 🔨 pic.twitter.com/dQ4bf3W9UC
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 20, 2024
It hasn't been the best year so far for Gallen, and his metrics back that up as well. His average exit velocity (91.4 mph), expected batting average against (.262), and expected ERA (4.26) all rank in the bottom half of the league. However, with two straight starts upcoming against the Pittsburgh Pirates, buying him now could be a league-winning move.
Overvalued Fantasy Baseball Players to Trade Away
SP Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo has surprised a lot of fantasy managers in 2024. In his age-34 season, Lugo is having a career year on the mound. He made his first All-Star Game appearance in July and currently ranks fourth in the majors with a 2.38 ERA. In his last start against the Chicago White Sox, the veteran also threw the first complete game of his career.
Everything has been working for Lugo this year, and he has been one of the most consistent fantasy pitchers in 2024. However, it might be time to sell the veteran in fantasy while his value is this high.
Seth Lugo finishes off the first complete game of his career! pic.twitter.com/wrcN56S1Ge
— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2024
For starters, Lugo has never thrown more than 146 1/3 innings in a season. Right now, he is sitting at 136 innings pitched on the year, and we aren't even in August yet. On top of that, regression is coming for the 34-year-old in the second half. His expected ERA (3.86), expected batting average against (.250), and average exit velocity (89.2 mph) all don't rank particularly great.
Lugo has been an elite fantasy option in 2024, but given those poor metrics above, it would be shocking if he didn't get hit hard at some point over the next few weeks. The right-hander also faces some better offenses in August/September -- assuming he stays on his five-day schedule. From August 25 to September 10, the Royals pitcher will have to face the Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, Cleveland Guardians, and New York Yankees. It might be time to sell high in fantasy.
OF George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays
What a weird season it has been for Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer. He struggled for most of the season at the plate but has really picked it up in the second half. In his first 71 games, Springer had a .189 batting average with five HRs, nine doubles, and 15 RBI. But since June 25, Springer has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball. He is hitting .345 (29-for-84) with eight HRs, six doubles, one triple, and 25 RBI over his last 23 games.
The veteran outfielder has really turned around his season, making him a solid fantasy option again. He has lifted his batting average to .227 during this stretch, and his 13 HRs now put him on pace to finish the year with 21 long balls.
Keep Swinging 💪 #SpringerDinger pic.twitter.com/bSl44h7eyl
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 20, 2024
Nonetheless, fantasy managers should trade the 34-year-old amid this hot streak. He still isn't hitting the ball hard -- with a hard-hit rate of 38.3% and an average exit velocity of 87.6 mph -- and this might just be a hot stretch from the outfielder. As a result, use his recent numbers and try to trade him away.
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