Fantasy Baseball Buy-Low Trade Targets in NL: Aaron Nola, Austin Riley, William Contreras and More

After taking a look at buy-low fantasy baseball trade targets in the American League, let's do the same for National League teams.

Some teams won't have a player mentioned, as some teams simply don't have players I consider to be buy-low targets right now.

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Giants

Willy Adames is one of the few buy-low trade candidates on a Giants team off to a fast start.

Adames has a .216 average and .268 on-base percentage so far. He only has two extra-base hits, but six RBIs and four runs scored looks pretty good on paper. His 11 strikeouts are hurting his fantasy point total.

Adames was going a little too early in fantasy drafts for my liking this year, and his slower start has made his fantasy value more respectable in my eyes. You should be able to land him in a trade for cheaper than where he was drafted this year. His production should increase going forward too, which makes it a true buy-low scenario. 

Dodgers

I'm going to take Freddie Freeman from the Dodgers.

He only played in three games before hitting the injured list. He had two homers and four RBIs in those three games, so buying low is all based on his injury.

Fantasy owners might be a bit worried about the veteran's outlook the rest of the season after the injury issues early on. That could allow you to nab a top-end fantasy hitter for cheaper. I'd at least check in on Freeman.

Diamondbacks

Merrill Kelly is an easy choice for me from Arizona.

He's scored -9 fantasy points (using ESPN settings) through two starts. Kelly is somehow still 1-1 with a 10.00 ERA - he's allowed 10 runs on 12 hits and seven walks over nine innings, while only striking out three.

He's more of a deep-league option right now, so he could be a waiver wire target for some of you. In deeper leagues, fantasy owners are probably wanting to drop him, so trading him for something is better than nothing - see if you can put together a deal that makes sense for a pitcher who should bounce back soon.

Rockies

Ryan McMahon would be my buy-low target from the Rockies.

He has a .265 average and .316 OBP across his first nine games, but just two extra-base hits, three RBIs and one run scored to his name.

He's another deep-league option after his slow start, so he's more of a player to keep tabs on in standard leagues for a possible waiver wire pickup. In deeper leagues, I like the idea of adding McMahon, as I think his fantasy totals will improve moving forward, and he can be a daily starter in deeper setups.

Phillies

Aaron Nola is the Philly player I'd go after if I wanted to buy low on someone.

He's only got 10 fantasy points through two starts. Nola is 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA - he's allowed eight runs on 13 hits and a walk over 11 1/3 innings, but also has 10 punchouts for some fantasy value.

Nola's numbers are going to improve as the season goes along, and he should be among the upper echelon of fantasy pitchers by the end of the season. There's not many times you can buy low on him, but now is one of those times.

Mets

Mark Vientos is my choice from the Mets. I was high on him before the season started and now would look to buy low after he started slow.

He has a .118 average and .189 OBP across 37 plate appearances so far. Vientos has two doubles among his four hits, just one RBI, two runs scored and eight punchouts.

Vientos is going to have the chance to drive in runs throughout the season, and I think once he heats up, he'll be a fantastic daily fantasy asset. You can trade for him now and stash him until he gets going a bit more.

There's too much talent in the Mets' lineup, and Vientos is too talented himself to struggle this much all season. Buy low on him now and reap the rewards later in the season.

Nationals

There's a few options from Washington who I could have taken, but I'm settling on James Wood because he has a higher upside.

Wood has a .212 average and .278 OBP across his first 36 plate appearances. Those numbers aren't bad, but his 15 strikeouts are really hurting his fantasy value overall.

I still expect a breakout season for the young outfielder, and would love to acquire him for cheap now. He was going around pick 110 in drafts, but should be more attainable after his sluggish start. See if you can land Wood before he gets rolling at the plate.

Braves

I could choose several players from Atlanta, but am going to settle on Austin Riley.

He had a bit of a down season in 2024 before missing time with injuries, so fantasy owners might be more willing to part with Riley after another slow start this season. Riley has a .143 average and .211 OBP right now.

He's going to perform better than that over the course of the season, and I don't think his value can get much lower than it currently is, if he's playing of course. I'd check on the asking price of Riley and try to land one of the top fantasy third basemen in the game for a bit cheaper.

Cubs

I'll take Justin Steele from the Cubs.

He's nearing 20 fantasy points, but has also made three starts (because of the Tokyo Series). Steele is 2-1, but with a 6.89 ERA - he's allowed 12 runs on 18 hits and three walks over 15 2/3 innings. He's given up five homers already.

Steele should improve pretty steadily as he logs more starts, so I like the idea of targeting him in a trade now. It shouldn't cost you all that much, and you'll have a pitcher you can start pretty much every turn through the rotation.

Brewers

William Contreras is one of several Milwaukee hitters struggling, but he's definitely the most valuable in fantasy, so I'm picking him.

He's hitting .097 and getting on at a .263 clip - Contreras has three hits across 38 plate appearances. He's going to bounce back eventually, and likely contend for the top fantasy catcher spot again.

He's still going to cost a good amount, but his value probably won't get much lower than it currently is. Take advantage of that while you can.

Cardinals

Willson Contreras would be my buy-low target from St. Louis (no, I didn't pick him after taking his brother William too).

He's hitting just .114 and has a .184 OBP across 39 plate appearances so far. He's got catcher eligibility, and now can slot in at first base, which makes him even more valuable for fantasy leagues.

He's not going to struggle this much all season, so I like the idea of buying low on Contreras. You should be able to land an everyday starter for relatively cheap (maybe moving a hitter who started hot and likely won't continue to excel - more on those players soon).

Reds

Spencer Steer is the buy-low target from Cincinnati.

In seven games and across 26 plate appearances, Steer has a .083 average and .154 OBP. He has one homer, but just two hits total. He has three RBIs, two runs scored and seven strikeouts.

He has position versatility too, which makes him more valuable if you can land him. Steer was a sneaky good fantasy asset in 2024, and I expect him to eventually get going. So why not see if you can acquire him for pretty cheap?

Pirates

Bryan Reynolds is the player I'd try to buy low on from Pittsburgh.

He's hitting .182 and getting on at a .234 clip across his first 47 plate appearances. Reynolds has eight hits, five RBIs, but just three runs scored and 15 punchouts.

Reynolds is striking out at a nearly 10% higher clip than his career average, and once the punchouts slow down, he's going to look like his old fantasy self. He's a pretty underrated fantasy outfielder, and you should be able to land him for cheaper now after his slow start.