After deviating from the usual format during recent weeks, this edition of the Trade Analyzer is back to focusing on some buy-low and sell-high options. And this week’s group is comprised entirely of hurlers, which has been an underrepresented position in recent articles.
The sporadic nature of pitching appearances tends to make the stats of hurlers fluctuate wildly early in the season, but we are reaching the point in the campaign where many pitcher stat lines have begun to normalize, which gives smart fantasy managers the data they need to make smart trades.
Sell High
José Soríano, SP, Angels: After a memorable start to the season that included a 0.24 ERA in his first six starts, Soriano has looked more like previous iterations of himself over his past five outings. The right-hander has logged a 5.34 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over that five-start stretch, while posting a 31:14 K:BB ratio that is acceptable but not special. When looking at his season-long statistics, there is little that stands out as notably different from previous seasons, beyond an improved strikeout rate.
We also need to factor in that Soriano pitches for the team with the American League’s worst record (21-34) and one that is known for doing a poor job at developing pitchers. Managers should be happy to trade the 27-year-old for a sizable return while he still has ace-like ratios (2.44 ERA, 1.07 WHIP).
Nick Martinez, SP/RP, Rays: Managers who believe that the Rays are in the midst of a magical season where everything goes their way can keep Martinez. Everyone else should trade him away.
The 35-year-old has logged a dazzling 1.51 ERA on the strength of an unsustainable 92.9% strand rate. His lowly 14.9% strikeout rate is his worst mark since his 2022 return from a stint in Japan. Managers who can get anything of value for the right-hander should make the move, as his skill set is easily replaceable from the waiver wire.
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Eduardo Rodríguez, SP, Diamondbacks: Rodríguez has plenty of similarities to Martinez, with fortunate marks in BABIP (.259) and strand rate (84.9) driving his fantasy production. The southpaw with an excellent 2.31 ERA has earned marks in the range of 4.00 from every major ERA estimator. There won’t be a significant trade market for Rodríguez, but small deals can sometimes reap large rewards in the long run.
My plan would be to use him to sweeten the pot in a larger deal and then replace him with a better pitcher who remains on the waiver wire.
Paul Sewald, RP, Diamondbacks: Sewald has been one of this season’s waiver wire gems, as he ranks fourth in the majors with 13 saves. And although there isn’t heavy statistical evidence for making this move, my gut says that managers should cash him out on the trade market in the coming weeks.
The 36-year-old has had an inconsistent career, and across 2024-25, he logged a 4.40 ERA over just 59.1 innings. He deserves credit for improving his strikeout rate this season, but he has also enjoyed the benefits of a .140 BABIP despite allowing plenty of hard contact. Sewald’s skills or luck could regress as the season progresses, which would make him a shaky saves source.
Buy Low
Jesús Luzardo, SP, Phillies: Death, taxes and Luzardo enduring wild fluctuations with his ratios. Perhaps no pitcher excites and exasperates fantasy managers as much as Luzardo, who regularly rotates from seven shutout innings to giving up 5+ runs over fewer than five frames. He has notched the latter stat line in four of his 11 starts this season, which has heavily contributed to a 4.38 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.
His underlying stats continue to paint the left-hander as an ace, including a 3.13 xERA and a 72:17 K:BB ratio. Fantasy managers who need to take a chance with their pitching staff can acquire Luzardo in hopes that he irons out the rough patches this summer.
Garrett Crochet, SP, Red Sox: Acquiring Crochet at a discount is a sensible Hail Mary for managers who need to take drastic steps to fix a disappointing pitching staff. The left-hander has been ineffective or injured this season, which has resulted in a 6.30 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. His return date from the IL continues to be pushed back, and what was once expected to be a minimal stint is now destined to be five weeks or more. Still, when Crochet is at his best, he can impact the fantasy standings more than virtually any pitcher, which we saw when he went 18-5 with 255 strikeouts and terrific ratios (2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP) last season. As you’ll see on the Yahoo Trade Market, some of his recent returns have been underwhelming.
Devin Williams, RP, Mets: At first glance, Williams looks like a bust. After all, he has earned just seven saves while also producing poor ratios (6.35 ERA, 1.65 WHIP). A closer look shows that the right-hander allowed all of his earned runs during a four-appearance stretch from April 15-23 and on May 24, while logging a 12:2 K:BB ratio and 0.41 WHIP in between those outings.
The Mets’ overall win total and Williams’ save chances have been impacted by a sluggish New York offense that should improve at some point. The 31-year-old remains a useful closer, and wise managers will buy him at a significant discount on the premise that he hasn’t bounced back from his 2025 struggles.
David Bednar, RP, Yankees: Next, we move from the former Yankees closer to the current one. Bednar may be as easy to acquire as Williams, even though he has more saves (12), as he hasn’t pitched well in May (6.10 ERA, 1.45 WHIP).
The 31-year-old has done a great job of inducing grounders (58.5%), but unfortunately, too many of them have found holes in the infield (.369 BABIP). His 28:10 K:BB ratio is a strong mark, and unlike Williams, he has the support of a winning team. His 4.70 ERA should soon regress closer to his 3.21 FIP.
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