Buy & Sell: All-Star Edition
The waiver wire is a treasure trove of hidden gems, and this year's crop of All-Stars is no exception. With players like Esmerlyn Valdez and Jake McCarthy, the potential for breakout performances is high. Here's a breakdown of who to buy and who to sell, with a focus on maximizing your team's potential.
Buy
10-Team Leagues
- Jake McCarthy (OF, Colorado Rockies): McCarthy's power surge is real, with a .311/.392/.667 line and 4 homers in 45 AB. His improved launch angle and low K rate make him a must-have for any 10-team league.
- Curtis Mead (2B/3B, Washington Nationals): Mead's .247 average with 17 HR and 5 SB is impressive. His recent hot streak (.333 with 5 HR and 2 SB) makes him a buy-now candidate.
- Casey Schmitt (2B/3B, San Francisco Giants): Schmitt's .412 xwOBA over the past 100 PA is a sign of things to come. His expected stats suggest he's due for a breakout, making him a potential steal.
12-Team Leagues
- Chase DeLauter (OF, Cleveland Guardians): DeLauter's .325 average with 4 HR and 1 SB over 46 AB is a steal. His key run production spot and potential for more runs when J-Ram returns make him a valuable addition.
- Kyle Karros (3B, Colorado Rockies): Karros' .317 average with 5 HR and 1 SB over the past 3 weeks is a sign of his potential. His solid Statcast metrics and Coors Field advantage make him a top-12 option at third base.
- J.J. Bleday (OF, Cincinnati Reds): Bleday's recent hot streak (.333 with 3 HR and 1 SB) makes him a buy-now candidate. Don't hesitate to snag him if he was cut.
15-Team Leagues
- Trevor Larnach (OF, Minnesota Twins): Larnach's .323 average with 2 homers and 5 RBI in 31 AB is a sign of his potential. His improvements in contact and pulled flyballs make him a strong side platoon right-handed masher.
- Royce Lewis (3B, Minnesota Twins): Lewis' .278 average with 2 HR over the past week is a moderate power/speed play. He's on pace for 15 HR and 10 SB, making him a valuable addition.
- Michael Massey (2B/OF, Kansas City Royals): Massey's .260 average with 7 HR and 2 SB is an uptrend. His best HardHit% and EV of his career make him a solid buy.
Deep Leagues
- Connor Wong (C, Boston Red Sox): Wong's .385/.485/.500 line with 1 HR and 1 SB over the past 3 weeks is a steal. His 0.5 WAR over 41 games is a solid addition, especially with Mickey Gasper out of the picture.
- Eduardo Valencia (C, Detroit Tigers): Valencia's 2 homers in 10 AB is a great splash. His potential for a late breakout makes him a hold in deep formats.
Sell
- Geraldo Perdomo (SS, Arizona Diamondbacks): Perdomo's .241 average with 6 HR and 15 SB is a sign of a potential decline. His 65% SB success rate and poor HardHit% make him a sell candidate.
- Josh Jung (3B, Texas Rangers): Jung's power has fallen off, with only 2 homers since June. His limited upside and constant injuries make him a potential trade candidate.
- Andres Gimenez (SS, Toronto Blue Jays): Gimenez's quiet decline since mid-May, with no HR or SB in over 3 weeks, makes him a sell candidate. His playing time is slipping, and his bat looks dead.
Dishonorable Mentions
- Taylor Ward (OF, Baltimore Orioles): Ward's .333 average this week is impressive, but his lack of speed and low RBI total make him a poor fit for most leagues.
- Braden Montgomery (OF, Chicago White Sox): Montgomery's lack of stolen bases and poor HardHit% make him a sell candidate. His 4% barrel% is a concern, and the White Sox's playoff push may force him back to the minors.
- Dylan Beavers (OF, Baltimore Orioles): Beavers' disappointing performance with 0 homers and 0 SB in 26 AB over the past 3 weeks makes him a sell candidate.
