Target these undervalued players as All-Star break approaches

With the All-Star break approaching, it is crunch time in fantasy baseball. The first half is nearly in the books, and if you’re in the middle of your roto standings, clinging to a playoff spot, or trying to claw your way into one, now is the time to get aggressive. With most waiver wires barren of impact talent, smart managers know this is when trades win fantasy championships.

The key? Target undervalued players and swing trades that strengthen your roster for the second-half grind. The best trades aren’t always about making a big splash. Oftentimes, they’re about identifying sneaky value where others don’t see it.

Two infielders who stand out right now are Jeremy Peña and Marcus Semien — players whose numbers (and upside) significantly outweigh their current fantasy market value.

Let’s start with Peña. The Astros shortstop is quietly having an elite season, but you wouldn’t know it from the lack of buzz around his name. Peña is batting .324 with nine homers and 14 stolen bases — making him one of the most productive shortstops in all of fantasy baseball. He offers a rare blend of average, power, and speed, but for some reason, managers continue to overlook him.

That is your opportunity. Peña may not be a textbook “buy-low” since he is producing at a high level, but he is routinely undervalued. You might be able to flip a strong starting pitcher for him straight up, especially if your trade partner is desperate for arms. Alternatively, consider offering a two-for-one package — a solid but unspectacular middle infielder paired with a mid-rotation starter — and see if you can pry Peña loose.

Then there is Semien, whose first half has been, well, ugly. After a dismal finish to 2024, he stumbled out of the gate this season, leading many to jump ship. But Semien is showing signs of life — and then some. Over his past 12 games, he is slashing .429/.500/.786 with four homers and three steals. That isn’t just a hot streak, that’s vintage Semien.

Even if he doesn’t fully return to his 2021 levels, anything close to his 2023 production would be a massive second-half boost. He still is leading off in a strong Rangers lineup and remains a five-category contributor when locked in. Now is the time to strike — before his resurgence is fully reflected in his trade value.

Beyond individual players, don’t be afraid to re-evaluate your team’s structure. Are you overloaded on pitching but light on power? Are you short on speed while your bench holds extra outfielders with no starting path? Packaging depth for upside is a must right now.

The halfway point is the perfect moment to recalibrate, reassess and retool. Injuries, slumps and streaks will keep reshaping the landscape, but smart, forward-thinking moves today will pay off come playoff time.

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Target Peña. Buy low on Semien. And start treating trades as your waiver wire 2.0. The second half is a new season — make sure you’re ready to win it.

Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball news and advice.