Fantasy Baseball Trade Candidates: 5 Pitchers to Buy or Sell at the All-Star Break

After looking at some superstar hitters who are fantasy baseball trade candidates, let's look into some pitchers to possibly trade during the All-Star break.

Again, I looked at several fantasy platforms and picked out some names that kept popping up. Let's get right to it! 

Use the FantasySP trade value chart and trade analyzer as you propose and accept fantasy baseball trades all season!

Gerrit Cole - New York Yankees

Cole wasn't drafted until nearly pick 170 on average, with an injury playing a big role in that. He's up to 132nd on the trade chart, and probably is even more valuable than that.

Cole has made nine starts so far this season - remember, he didn't pitch at all in 2025 because he got Tommy John surgery. Cole is 3-4 this season with a 4.04 earned run average. 

He has allowed 22 runs on 48 hits and 11 walks over 49 innings. Cole has 47 strikeouts along the way.

So Cole has been so-so in his return to the big leagues. He started with back-to-back scoreless outings, but has allowed two or more runs in the last seven appearances he's made.

His value still is up from the beginning of the season, but it's hard to call him a buy-low or sell-high trade candidate. I could make the argument either way.

Cole could have been a waiver pickup for you, and if you are stacked with pitchers, trading the big-name Cole away could be beneficial to you. There's a chance he improves as the season moves along, and that makes him a desirable trade acquisition, especially for the teams lacking pitching.

This one truly comes down to you. I'm fine trading Cole away or acquiring him in a deal based on how the rest of my team looks.

Bryce Miller - Seattle Mariners

Miller wasn't drafted until pick 223 on average. He's up to 110th on the trade chart, so from the start of the season to now, he's a big sell-high candidate.

Over 10 games (nine starts), Miller has a 4-3 record and stellar 2.18 ERA. He looks more like he did in 2024, when he posted a 2.94 ERA over 31 starts - Miller had a 4.32 ERA in 2023 and 5.68 ERA in 2025.

Miller has covered 57 2/3 innings so far, allowing 16 runs (14 earned) on 39 hits and nine walks. He has 65 strikeouts as well.

There's a lot to like with Miller right now, but his up-and-down performance over his career makes him a better sell-high trade candidate right now. I'd be more inclined to keep rostering him if I already was because of where he was drafted (most probably got him off the waiver wire). I'd continue to ride the wave and hope Miller keeps delivering.

If you are insistent that a falloff is coming with Miller, then selling him high now makes sense. Make sure you are getting a good return, because he's pitching well right now and could keep it going the remainder of the season.

Paul Skenes - Pittsburgh Pirates

Skenes went around pick six on average this season. He's fallen to 32nd on the trade chart, but is also trending up of late.

He is 8-8 with a 3.57 ERA over 20 starts so far this season. Skenes has struck out 130 batters over 108 1/3 innings. He's given up 50 runs (43 earned) on 87 hits and 24 walks.

Skenes got roughed up three starts ago, but responded with back-to-back two-run appearances before the break hit. His strikeout totals have been a bit inconsistent, but the bigger positive is better results on the mound of late.

I think he will continue to trend up after the break and as the Pirates chase a playoff spot, so I'd be thrilled to roster him, or acquire him. He's going to cost a lot, but he's more affordable now than he was at the start of the year, so I get wanting to go after him now.

Make the move if you have some depth to spare, but do it quickly before Skenes ups his value even more.

Sonny Gray - Boston Red Sox

Gray went around pick 93 on average, but is way up to 22nd on the trade chart thanks to stellar pitching this year.

Over 17 starts, Gray is 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA. He's struck out 85 batters over 95 2/3 innings, while allowing 28 runs (27 earned) on 81 hits and 24 walks.

He's a big sell-high trade candidate right now, and is someone I'd look to move ASAP. He's bound to regress after the break, and now might be his highest fantasy value of the season, so make the move before he falls off at all.

You should be able to get a couple startable assets in return, or one really good fantasy player. I'd be much happier to part with Gray now than hope he continues to excel, because his career marks say regression is coming, and likely in a pretty big manner.

Chris Sale - Atlanta Braves

Sale has lived pretty much up to expectations this season. He was drafted around pick 38, and is 40th on the trade chart right now.

Over 17 starts so far, Sale is 9-6 with a 2.20 ERA. He has pitched 98 innings, allowing 29 runs (24 earned) on 84 hits and 25 walks. Sale has struck out 117 batters along the way.

He's one of the better fantasy pitchers in the game, but does have some injury issues to be concerned with. Those injury concerns have me labeling him as a sell-high candidate, even if he's just matching his season expectations.

If you couldn't afford him to miss time this season, trading him away now makes plenty of sense. You should get a really good return for Sale, and maybe have peace of mind while not having to worry about injuries as much. At least float his name out on the trade block, because you could be surprised at the returns offered.