With the All-Star break approaching, it’s crunch time in fantasy baseball. The primary half is almost within the books, and in the event you’re in the midst of your roto standings, clinging to a playoff spot, or attempting to claw your means into one, now’s the time to get aggressive. With most waiver wires barren of affect expertise, sensible managers know that is when trades win fantasy championships.
The important thing? Goal undervalued gamers and swing trades that strengthen your roster for the second-half grind. One of the best trades aren’t at all times about making an enormous splash. Oftentimes, they’re about figuring out sneaky worth the place others don’t see it.
Two infielders who stand out proper now are Jeremy Peña and Marcus Semien — gamers whose numbers (and upside) considerably outweigh their present fantasy market worth.
Let’s begin with Peña. The Astros shortstop is quietly having an elite season, however you wouldn’t comprehend it from the dearth of buzz round his title. Peña is batting .324 with 9 homers and 14 stolen bases — making him one of the productive shortstops in all of fantasy baseball. He gives a uncommon mix of common, energy, and pace, however for some cause, managers proceed to miss him.
That’s your alternative. Peña might not be a textbook “buy-low” since he’s producing at a excessive degree, however he’s routinely undervalued. You may have the ability to flip a robust beginning pitcher for him straight up, particularly in case your commerce associate is determined for arms. Alternatively, think about providing a two-for-one package deal — a stable however unspectacular center infielder paired with a mid-rotation starter — and see in the event you can pry Peña unfastened.
Then there may be Semien, whose first half has been, effectively, ugly. After a dismal end to 2024, he stumbled out of the gate this season, main many to leap ship. However Semien is exhibiting indicators of life — after which some. Over his previous 12 video games, he’s slashing .429/.500/.786 with 4 homers and three steals. That isn’t only a scorching streak, that’s classic Semien.
Even when he doesn’t totally return to his 2021 ranges, something near his 2023 manufacturing could be a large second-half enhance. He nonetheless is main off in a robust Rangers lineup and stays a five-category contributor when locked in. Now could be the time to strike — earlier than his resurgence is totally mirrored in his commerce worth.
Past particular person gamers, don’t be afraid to re-evaluate your workforce’s construction. Are you overloaded on pitching however gentle on energy? Are you brief on pace whereas your bench holds additional outfielders with no beginning path? Packaging depth for upside is a should proper now.
The midway level is the right second to recalibrate, reassess and retool. Accidents, slumps and streaks will hold reshaping the panorama, however sensible, forward-thinking strikes right this moment will repay come playoff time.
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Goal Peña. Purchase low on Semien. And begin treating trades as your waiver wire 2.0. The second half is a brand new season — be sure to’re able to win it.
Howard Bender is the pinnacle of content material at FantasyAlarm.com. Observe him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Present” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports activities channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all of your fantasy baseball information and recommendation.
