James Wood, Shane Baz, Ben Rice - Fantasy Baseball Trade Targets: Buy or Sell? (Week 17)

BALLER MOVE: Sell James Wood

ANALYSIS: James Wood has had an interesting start to his MLB career with the Washington Nationals. In his initial stint, Wood has posted a .245 batting average with one home run and six RBIs over 49 at-bats. While these stats aren't particularly eye-catching, they show the potential that made him a highly regarded prospect. Before his call-up, Wood was tearing it up in Triple-A, hitting .353 with a 1.058 OPS.

However, the transition to the majors has been a bit rockier than hoped and his immediate impact is uncertain. If you're in a redraft league and need more consistent performance, now might be the time to trade Wood while his value is still buoyed by his prospect status.

BALLER MOVE: Buy Shane Baz

ANALYSIS: Shane Baz is on his way back to full form following Tommy John surgery in 2022. The Tampa Bay Rays' right-hander has made two starts in the majors this season, posting a 5.23 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 10.1 innings. His last five rehab starts at Triple-A Durham were excellent, going 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA and an impressive 35:10 K/BB ratio over 23 innings.

Baz's recent outings include a solid six-inning game against the Rangers, where he allowed three runs and struck out six, followed by a 4.1-inning performance against the Yankees with five strikeouts. As Baz continues to regain his pre-injury form, he could provide significant value for fantasy managers looking for pitching help. His strikeout potential makes him a high-upside addition.

BALLER MOVE: Buy Ben Rice

ANALYSIS: Ben Rice has made a notable impact since being called up to the New York Yankees. The 25-year-old catcher/first baseman has hit .230 with five home runs and 16 RBIs over 74 at-bats. Rice has shown flashes of brilliance, including a historic three-homer, seven-RBI game, becoming the first rookie in Yankees history to achieve such a feat.

Rice's ability to play multiple positions and his solid minor league track record, where he hit .324/.434/.615 across three levels in 2023, making him an intriguing fantasy option. With the Yankees dealing with injuries and lineup inconsistencies, Rice should continue to see ample playing time. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider stashing Rice, as his power and versatility could provide a valuable boost as the season progresses.

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These players offer various levels of potential impact. While fantasy superstardom looms in his future, for the rest of 2024, James Wood might be better used as trade bait for those needing immediate help, while Shane Baz and Ben Rice present valuable upside for fantasy managers willing to invest in potential breakout candidates.

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