Should You Trade Christian Walker for Jack Flaherty in Your Fantasy Baseball League?

Fantasy baseball trades are picking up now that we are several weeks into the season.

In this article, I'll check out some of the popular trades on the FantasySP Trade Analyzer. Let's dive in!

Check out the FantasySP Trade Analyzer and Trade Value Chart for help making fantasy baseball trades.

Should You Trade Christian Walker for Jack Flaherty?

We begin with a fun pitcher-for-hitter trade.

Walker has started his first season with the Astros on a very slow note. He's played in 17 games and gotten 71 plate appearances so far.

Walker has a .164 average and .282 on-base percentage. He's got 10 hits, including one double and a home run. Walker also has two RBIs, eight walks, seven runs scored and a whopping 22 strikeouts already.

He had a nice stretch at the plate between April 9-13, collecting eight walks and two hits over that span. In two games since then though, Walker has one hit and no walks across seven plate appearances, while also striking out twice.

Walker was drafted around pick 90 this season, so his slow start has been a big blow to his fantasy owners. Many of his owners are looking to move on, and that's why he appears on our trade analyzer.

Flaherty has made four starts so far, going 1-1 with a 2.53 earned run average.

He's covered 21 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on 14 hits and nine walks. Flaherty has allowed two home runs, while striking out 25 batters.

Flaherty hasn't worked more than 5 2/3 innings in any start. He hasn't allowed more than three runs, and has walked at least two batters in each start. Flaherty has at least four strikeouts in each game.

Flaherty was selected around pick 125 this year, which I thought was far too low.

Using ESPN fantasy scoring settings, Flaherty has been the better fantasy performer between these two players, and it's not all that close. Flaherty has scored 54 fantasy points, while Walker has just eight.

It also shouldn't surprise you that Flaherty is the preferred side of the trade when you put it through the FSP analyzer.

It's deemed a fair trade, and I could argue for accepting on both sides of this deal. I do prefer Flaherty, but Walker could be more valuable in a lot of people's eyes, especially if looking at preseason fantasy values and if you need a first baseman.

Hitting accept or decline if you were offered this trade comes down to your team and league settings, and then your thoughts and predictions for both players going forward.

I personally like Flaherty more, but I do think Walker will bounce back and pretty much match Flaherty for most of the rest of the season.

Should You Trade Alec Bohm for Mark Vientos?

Bohm started last season well, but faded big time as the season rolled along. Vientos was kind of the opposite, coming on later in the season. Both third basemen have started this season slow.

In 16 games and 68 plate appearances, Bohm has a .162 average and .174 OBP. He's got two doubles among his 11 total knocks, along with four RBIs, a stolen base and walk, four runs scored and 15 strikeouts.

Vientos has a .145 average and .254 OBP across 17 games and 71 plate appearances so far. He's got four doubles among his nine total hits, along with four RBIs, nine walks, five runs scored and 14 strikeouts.

Vientos was selected around pick 140 this season, while Bohm went around pick 100. Vientos has 17 fantasy points in the early going, while Bohm is at only eight.

Bohm has started to swing the bat a bit better of late, with three hits over his past four games. He has a double, RBI, stolen base and four runs scored over that span.

Vientos has a hit in four straight games, including two doubles. He has three RBIs, a walk, three runs scored and four strikeouts in that span.

A season ago, Vientos had a .266 average and .322 OBP. He had 27 home runs and 22 doubles, along with 71 RBIs and 58 runs scored. Many, including me, tabbed him as a breakout player for 2025.

Bohm had a .280 average and .332 OBP last season, although most of his highlights came early in the season. He had 44 doubles and 15 homers, along with 97 RBIs, five stolen bases and 62 runs scored.

These players are really close right now in my book, and the FantasySP analyzer agrees. Vientos is favored over Bohm, but only by 0.25 points.

Again, I could argue for hitting accept on either side of this hypothetical deal. Bohm was the better fantasy asset early on, but Vientos looks like the better fantasy player now, and moving forward.

Getting Vientos in place of Bohm would be moving to a player who was drafted later, but it's the move I'd prefer right now. I'd cut my losses and put my stock in Vientos going forward.

On the other hand, moving Vientos for Bohm would be improving on drafted third basemen, so it makes sense if you are looking for value. It all comes down to which third basemen you like more.

I prefer Vientos, but taking Bohm over Vientos isn't that crazy either. This one comes down to your opinions on each player.

Should You Trade Matt McLain for Brice Turang?

McLain is fresh off the injured list, so his season numbers are down overall. Turang has started the season hot, much like he did in 2024 before cooling off later in the season.

McLain has played in nine games this season, getting 36 plate appearances. He has a .200 batting average and .333 OBP. McLain has three home runs and a double among his six hits, along with six RBIs, a stolen base, five walks, nine runs scored and 11 strikeouts.

He didn't play in 2024 because of injuries, but was great in 89 games in 2023. McLain had 23 doubles, four triples and 16 home runs, along with 50 RBIs, 14 stolen bases and 65 runs scored.

McLain was drafted around pick 140, and has 26 fantasy points so far. Turang has 51 fantasy points already, and was taken around pick 160.

In 18 games and 79 plate appearances so far, Turang has a .329 average and .367 OBP. He's got three homers and a double among his 24 total knocks. Turang also has 10 RBIs, four stolen bases and walks, 17 runs scored and also 17 strikeouts.

In 155 games a season ago, Turang had a .254 average and .316 OBP. He had 24 doubles, four triples and seven homers, 57 RBIs, 50 stolen bases and 72 runs scored.

Our trade analyzer prefers McLain still, but it's very close. The two infielders are separated by just 0.48 points.

That makes this a great and even trade again. I like both players going forward, but do prefer McLain by a little bit because of his power numbers and ceiling.

Turang can fill the stat sheet a bit better, so I'd also be fine adding him in this deal too. It again comes down to your opinions on each player, and maybe what your fantasy team is in need of.

Final Thoughts

So that's three very fair trades, and ones where both sides of the deal could benefit in the long run.

If you have one of these players, but are unable to trade for the other, the trade analyzer could be used to help you find a suitable replacement.

I plan to do similar articles throughout the season, so keep checking back for more!