As the fantasy baseball season progresses, managers may find their frustrations mounting, but it’s crucial to remember that we’re still in the early stages of the campaign. With teams having played only about 12% of their full schedule, the outlook on any player can swiftly change based on just one good or bad week. This sentiment is particularly relevant for pitchers, who have typically made between 3-8 appearances by this point, depending on their role.
This week’s focus lies solely on trade candidates in the pitching department. As always, it’s advisable to check the Yahoo Trade Market page to gauge the popular opinion of players involved in your trade discussions.
The “Buy Low” category highlights Luis Castillo (SP, Seattle Mariners). While his performance hasn’t lived up to expectations thus far, there are underlying indicators of his potential. Despite his bloated ratios, Castillo’s impressive 27:4 K:BB ratio and 2.87 xFIP suggest he’s due for a rebound. Acquiring him at a slight discount could prove beneficial for savvy managers.
Josh Hader (RP, Houston Astros) presents another buy-low opportunity. Despite a lackluster April saves total, Hader remains one of the top relievers in the game. Acquiring him for a less valuable reliever with a higher saves total could be a shrewd move.
On the flip side, “Buy High” spotlights Kyle Finnegan (RP, Washington Nationals). While Finnegan’s value may not be sky-high, his ability to secure saves shouldn’t be overlooked. Despite doubts about his long-term role, his current utility in the closer position makes him a valuable asset for teams in need of saves.
In the “Sell Low” category, Triston McKenzie (SP, Cleveland Guardians) stands out as a player whose stock has plummeted compared to his impactful 2022 season. Lingering arm injuries have taken a toll on McKenzie’s performance, making him a sell-low candidate for managers looking to offload him for any viable long-term roster additions.
Ryan Helsley (RP, St. Louis Cardinals) emerges as another sell-high candidate. Despite his strong start to the season, durability concerns linger, potentially making him a valuable trade chip for managers looking to acquire players like Hader and additional assets.
Lastly, Aaron Nola (SP, Philadelphia Phillies) offers a window to sell high after a recent dominant outing. However, concerns about his performance, including decreased velocity and worrisome strikeout-to-walk ratios, suggest caution in overvaluing him based on name recognition alone. Exploring his trade market while leveraging his name value could yield beneficial returns for managers.
