Sure! Here’s a rephrased version of your content, with added context and details relevant to the fantasy baseball landscape in 2025 USA:
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Fantasy managers are truly fortunate!
Each year, Major League Baseball sets a trade deadline at the end of July—specifically around July 31, with some flexibility based on the weekday. This means teams must finalize any roster enhancements for the final stretch of the season with about two-thirds of the games still ahead.
In many fantasy formats, particularly in ESPN’s standard leagues, we enjoy a more lenient trade deadline that extends to August 15 at noon ET. That gives us an additional nine days to bolster our rosters in pursuit of a championship title.
So, what steps are you planning to take in the next nine days to elevate your squad?
For teams aiming for a major roster shakeup, my top tip is clear: Set your sights high.
With 70% of the season already completed—the league reached this benchmark just this past Tuesday—the standings in rotisserie leagues are becoming entrenched, making it increasingly difficult to climb the ranks. Similarly, head-to-head leagues only have a few weeks left in the regular season (three in ESPN’s standard format, including the current week). If you want to make a significant impact, you’ll need a game-changing player, much more than you would have pursued back in May.
This week, let’s spotlight six standout performers to target in trades. Next week, I’ll suggest some of my favorite hunch-based targets for a strong finish.
Historical Late-Season Gems to Pursue
Staying with the “go big” theme, history tells us that certain players tend to excel in the critical weeks as the season winds down. Each of these six players commands a premium, but if a trade offer appears reasonable (utilize my rankings for guidance), go for it!
Julio Rodriguez, OF, Seattle Mariners: In the critical closing 48 games over his first three seasons (which matches the remaining number for 2025), Rodriguez has averaged 3.30 fantasy points, placing him seventh among hitters with a minimum of 50 games in that timeframe. Curious about the six players ahead of him? Keep thinking, and I’ll reveal their names later!
Although Rodriguez has historically excelled in rotisserie formats compared to points-based leagues (he ranks among the top 30 players in Player Rater three times out of four seasons), his track record for late-season performance is commendable. Recently, he’s shown a surge with nine homers, six steals, and impressive batting stats (.295/.340/.648) over his last 21 games. With key trades bolstering the Mariners, they also face a favorable schedule ahead.
Blake Snell, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers: Here’s a wild stat for you: In the final 48 games across his past three seasons, Snell has racked up 490 fantasy points, the highest among pitchers and third overall in baseball (with Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge leading). Further, his career total for this same period ranks him third among pitchers at 1,012 points.
Snell has proven he shines during this part of the season, and he returned from injury with strong performance recently (averaging 95.0 mph fastball, 36% whiff rate). He’s a high-risk, high-reward trade target who could significantly enhance your pitching lineup.
Kyle Schwarber, DH, Philadelphia Phillies: If Snell’s stats didn’t impress you, perhaps Schwarber’s will. The Phillies’ power hitter has hit a minimum of 10 home runs in each of the last three Septembers, marking him as one of only 12 players in MLB history to achieve this feat. His consecutive success over three years places him in elite company with legends like Hank Greenberg and Mark McGwire.
From a fantasy perspective, Schwarber is one of the few players alongside Judge to secure at least 75 points each September. As the competitive Phillies strive for the playoffs, Schwarber’s current hot streak (.282/.378/.755 with 15 homers since July 1) makes him a highly valuable target—especially with a contract year looming.
Max Fried, SP, New York Yankees: Despite the Yankees grappling with a downturn, partly due to Fried’s recent struggles (5.81 ERA in his last six starts), this downturn might work to your advantage, allowing you to acquire him for less than market value. Fried remains crucial for any Yankee resurgence, boasting an impressive late-season track record, averaging 16.29 fantasy points per start from game 115 onwards over the past four seasons—just behind Snell.
Matt Olson, 1B, Atlanta Braves: Olson, like Schwarber, is another player to watch in September. He has accumulated 616 fantasy points in the last 50 games of each of the past four seasons—third-best in MLB. Despite the Braves facing a tough playoff picture this year, Olson’s historical performance indicates he’ll still bring it late in the season.
Even in seasons where his teams fell short of playoffs, Olson averaged 149 fantasy points and 3.18 per game, making him a worthwhile consideration as he likely can be had at a bargain.
Zac Gallen, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks: Gallen presents a unique opportunity, as his team also struggles for a playoff spot. Although he’s had a tough year so far, his 7.48 fantasy points-per-start rank poorly. This factor makes him an easier target for trades. His credible risk lies in his free agent status and a solid late-season track record; he scored 424 fantasy points in the last 48 games across the past three seasons, third-best among pitchers.
*And for those wondering, the six players who have outperformed Rodriguez in terms of point averages include Ronald Acuña Jr., Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, and Mookie Betts.