*nudges the Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell, and it doesn’t move* “Oh my God, the Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell is dead!”
Drowsily, the Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell begins to wake on the couch, “I’m not dead, you idiot. I’m hungover. Could you please stop screaming?”
“Woo hoo! The Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell is alive!”
Rubbing temples, sitting up and asking, “What time is it?”
“Baseball season time!”
“Stop screaming, you moron!”
So, welcome back to another year of the Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell, or as I like to call it, “Pick up this player in your league if he’s available because he’s rostered in less than 50% of leagues, but only if you’re carrying a player who is worse than him” and “Trade away this player who is rostered in more than 50% of leagues, but only if you’re getting a fair price.” You can see why I went with Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell instead. The Buy column before some teams have even played is always a little wonky. Are these guys rostered? Are they available? Are those two things the same thing? I’m using CBS’s rostered numbers again this year (used them last year too), and a guy is eligible for the Buy column if he’s rostered in under 50% of leagues, but that’s not a hard and fast cutoff because league sizes differ. Okay, with the hulla and baloo out of the way, let’s get cracking!
Two years ago my first buy of the year was Jackson Merrill and I said bet on him for the ROY. Last year I said the same for Cam Smith. This year I’m saying Kevin McGonigle. As Meat Loaf once sang, two out of three ain’t bad (hopefully this is a two out of three situation). Meat Loaf was big on parentheticals. Meat Loaf also said, “Glaze me with ketchup.” That’s a different Meat Loaf. The latter Meat Loaf is still with us. That’s different than the teamster eating lunch, sitting on a ladder step. That’s ladder Meat Loaf. This has been your Meat Loaf update. Back to McGonigle! This isn’t a Cam Smith situation (God, I hope not). Kevin McGonigle is a top prospect. If it wasn’t for Superhuman Man, Konnor Griffin, McGonigle would’ve been the top prospect in redraft leagues, and much like this sentence, he’s being overshadowed by the mere mention of Konnor. If Konnor didn’t exist, I think people would be bizzonkers for McGonigle. (Maybe some slight gleam is off, due to the home park.) Here’s what Itch said in his top 25 prospects for 2026 fantasy baseball, “The 37th overall pick in the 2023 draft, McGonigle has great hands on both sides of the ball along with plus speed and burgeoning power. A left-handed hitter with a quick swing, he broke out in 2025, slashing .305/.408/.583 with 19 home runs and just 46 strikeouts against 59 walks in 88 games across three levels. McGonigle has one of my favorite prospect traits in that hitting is the easy part for him. Detroit’s not an easy park for lefty power, but the pitching in that division is soft, so maybe it all comes out in the wash. Also, coming out of the wash is my nunchucks, just for Grey.” What? Konnor Griffin is better, but that does not mean he will be better for this year. Guys take different paths to fantasy value (Cam Smith actually looks good this year; Cust kayin’), but McGonigle looks like as sure a bet as I’ve seen in some time. Maybe he’s not a 30/30/.300 guy this year, but 24/16/.292 looks extremely doable. Oh, that’s Jackson Merrill’s rookie year line, by the by. Regarding the title of the article, I am Stanning. Anyway, here’s some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:
PSYCHE! This post was released a week early for Patreon members. It will be released all year early for Patreons, so if people are getting a jump on you, it’s because they paid the $10. Anyway, the Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell:
BUY
Samuel Basallo – So, we already established I was a moron with Cam Smith last year, but if I may now flex. Last year’s 1st buy column had Drake Baldwin and Hunter Goodman as the catchers to grab, and Soderstrom as the 1st baseman, then some garbage then Aroldis and, well, why did I like JJ Bleh-day so much? Any hoo! Basallo is a legit no-brainer and, as a person with no brain, I like those. He’s basically a lock for a 25-homer season and might hit .270. As a 21-year-old! So, yeah, might have some upside there too.
Francisco Alvarez – Only thing worse than the Orioles’ ability to prospect-out their prospects is the Mets, so these are two guys at catcher with nothing but bad anecdotes and good vibes. Breaking narratives this year like they be breaking fridge chains on My 600-Lb Life.
Ryan Jeffers – Twins are gonna absolutely suck, he said sounding like an expectant father, but teams sucking hurt counting stats for regular position players. Catchers don’t get counting stats anyway, so Jeffers should get as many ABs as he can handle and, “With at-bats comes value,” said like a comic book nerd, and not a very cool fantasy baseball player.
Sal Stewart – Gave you a Sal Stewart fantasy way back in October, and I am no less jazzed now. I’m jazzed-up from the floor up!
Kyle Manzardo – Random Prediction Alert! Manzardo will be more valuable than Ben Rice, Spencer Torkelson and Yandy.
T.J. Rumfield – Likely a Spring Training phenom. Like Chris Shelton who showed up to a party an hour early. “Bro, we like that you’re excited to party, but maybe don’t ask me to hold your legs for a keg stand while I’m still checking if the jello shots have set.”
Otto Lopez – This is one of those pickups where I can’t figure why he’s not rostered in 100% of leagues, but also I don’t care enough to try to solve that riddle. Call me Zero F**ks Sherlock.
Max Muncy – No, not that one. I’m talking about the best Max Muncy 3rd baseman in California! No, still not that one. I’m talking about the one in SacTown. He was a bit sidetracked last year but in 2024: 10/5/.292 in only 58 minor league games. Another Random Prediction Alert! A’s Max Muncy is better than the Dodgers’ Max Muncy.
Matt McLain – C’mon, pick him up for not just yourself, but also for BDon.
Cole Young – As Oaktown Steve said in the comments in the Razzball Staff Picks post the other day for his bold predictions, “Cole Young is a top 10 2b He demolished a 473 foot home run this spring and flashed a little power last year as well. Great discipline throughout the minors. Got a solid cup of coffee last year to taste the majors. Has shown enough speed to maybe be a 10-15 steal guy. 15 homers with upside possible as he develops. Batting average should be a plus. Plays every day and might even end up hitting lead off for them.” Reprinting because I agree. I liked Young a lot when he was called up, and he just sorta fell by wayside during draft season. Not too late in most mixed leagues. I will temper expectations with one thing: Seattle is not an easy park, and a lot harder than Arizona.
J.J. Wetherholt – Gave you a J.J. Wetherholt fantasy, and, since then, I’ve become slightly more excited while still wondering if it’s J.J. or JJ. I don’t know about this guy. Period. Uh, period.
Carson Williams – Taylor Walls is out for at least a month and not very good. Carson Williams can’t make consistent contact but is very good, otherwise. Heeeeeeeeeere’s Carson! Johnny Upside! Meh, you know what I mean.
Jose Caballero – Speed, SAGNOF, you know the deal.
Konnor Griffin – Gave you a Konnor Griffin fantasy, and, since then, you guessed it, I’ve become slightly more excited. The only thing stopping Konnor Griffin from being a slam dunk top 100 player this year is his ETA in the majors. He’s also rostered in more than 50% of leagues, so this is kinda moot, and I’m only mentioning him because I know there will be people who are like, “Grey, handsome face, but you don’t like Konnor Griffin?”
Jordan Lawlar – Might have the biggest range of outcome possibilities. Lawlar could finally make good on his promise and go 25/25/.270 or he could play three games, get benched for Tim Tawa indefinitely who will hit .175, then Lawlar will quit baseball to become a real estate agent with Alex Kirilloff.
Munetaka Murakami – Bit surprised at how light the excitement feels for the two new big Japanese bats who are coming in this year. Murakami has easy power and might struggle on average. Keyword is might. We don’t know. Maybe he hits 30+ homers and .250. Basically, Rafael Devers. Yeah, I said it.
Kazuma Okamoto – Doesn’t have the power of Murakami, but might hit .270 with only 25 homers. Ya know, basically Bryce Harper. Yes, I said it!
Noelvi Marte – Gave you a Noelvi Marte sleeper, and since then, you guessed it–Actually, no, I’m now slightly less excited for him, worried he might bat towards the bottom of the order, but a lineup on Opening Day could change by the second day of the season.
Isaac Paredes – Feels destined to have way more value than we think he’s going to have. Think of the exact inverse of what we thought last year with Paredes. It’s almost like maybe we should be more Isaac Moderades.
Daylen Lile – Yes, I gave you a Daylen Lile sleeper but also–No, that’s it.
Chase DeLauter – Said this morning, “Was yesterday the greatest Opening Day ever for rookie hitters? Sources are saying yes. I’m sources. What happens when an ambulance goes after an attorney? It’s Chase DeLauter! I’m so sorry, I’m looking for the delete button. I think the rookies coming in this year are being way undervalued for some reason. DeLauter was a five-homer hitter last year in Triple-A. Dot dot dot. In only 34 games! If he stays healthy, he can hit 30 homers.” And that’s me quoting me!
Dominic Canzone – How about his name is Canhit? Like him now?
Carson Benge – In the minors last year, he went 15/22/.281 as a 22-year-old. He was hitting everything hard in the spring. He was barely being drafted in 15-team leagues. I can’t understand it either.
Jac Caglianone – The cream in Pasquantino’s cannoli hole! Hmm, that sounds wrong.
Daulton Varsho – Wrote a Daulton Varsho sleeper, and it was met by yawns, then he hit in Spring Training and people are suddenly clamoring. Y’all funny. Spring Training is dumb. It’s even dumber during a WBC year since there’s no one good there.
Mike Burrows – One of the bigger disappointments I’m feeling as I leave draft season is zero Burrows shares. I’m simultaneously digging myself a hole and no Burrows. What gives?
Connelly Early – Here’s what I said yesterday, “Dude sounds Boston, right? He’s basically the rat at the end of The Departed, but less heavy-handed in his metaphors. Connelly Early says, “Grand,” a lot in an Irish accent and has three boys with red hair. Dude named one of his kids, Shamrock. And you don’t think Connelly Early is Boston? Please! He’s also one guy I’d look to add in every league. His stuff is that nasty.” And that’s me quoting me!
Joey Cantillo – Streamonator is cooking up some streams, but this first week is about starters I just like, in general.
Didier Fuentes – Just gave you my Didier Fuentes fantasy. It was written while hemming and hawing.
Grant Holmes – Is he being fitted for the Shroud of Touki? Is it Didier’s to wear? Does one get fitted for that or does it magically and technicolor-ly just appear on you? I have nonsense questions, y’all!
Noah Cameron – Gave you a Noah Cameron sleeper, and, honestly, there’s about 25 starters to pick up in every league, so rather than go on and on can I direct you to my rankings where I’ve outlined every starter I like.
Robert Garcia – Heard that the Rangers won’t name Garcia as closer, but still kinda surprised what an afterthought he was in drafts. Sure, Chris Martin is there, but that never stopped Gwyneth and it shouldn’t stop you. Wonder if I could interest Gwyneth in my Tony Gwyneth Paltrow role in Marty Brennaman Supreme.
Paul Sewald – I’m not 100% sure he’s getting saves for the DBacks, but he should (if he’s good — yes, there’s some caveats).
Jordan Romano – Kirby Yates went down like a wet potato (that’s a saying right?), and, I guess for saves, the Angels might pick Romano. Say cheese.
Clayton Beeter – Is he good? ACKSUALLY, he is. Are the Gnats? Well, um, interjection, ya see, uh, hmm… Okay, but closers can get saves on bad teams.
Trevor Megill – Can’t believe we’re spending another preseason speculating on Abner Uribe. Yes, Uribe will be the closer at some point (on August 2nd after Megill is traded for Luis Gil for the classic Megill for Yourgil trade).
Lucas Erceg – So, Carlos Estevez seems kinda cooked. Car-loss six miles on his fastball in six months. If this keeps up, by August he won’t be able to win a SpongeBob at a carnival.
Tyler Phillips – Your first reliever to pick up that isn’t getting saves. Can you feel it? Getting chills. Call ’em Tyler Chillips, because I got ’em!
SELL
Zack Wheeler – People who aggressively drafted Wheeler are the most optimistic amongst us. We need to nurture their optimism. We must allow them to blossom. They are the best of us. I am so happy people who drafted Wheeler are in this world. It makes us all better; their bright and sunny disposition. A natural mood enhancer, you are! You’re also slightly crackers. What on earth are you doing? That glass is half filled, but don’t sip it. You don’t want to know what it’s half-filled with. If you wanted an injured starter, you could’ve just had Gerrit Cole 100 picks later. I wouldn’t trade Zack Wheeler for a white paper on why asparagus pee smells like that, but I would go to the Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer and explore options.
