Look to the future but stay in the present. There’s an art to it. This isn’t an easy endeavor, but in dynasty leagues, it’s necessary.
Regardless of the league structure, the objective doesn’t change. It’s all about accumulating the most talent possible. But it has to sustain. Sometimes, that means trading good, useful, productive talent. With that being said, let’s dig into the dynasty third basemen I’m looking to sell high on.
Dynasty Third Base Sell High Options
Manny Machado, San Diego Padres
There’s still a lot to like about Manny Machado. As he enters his age-33 season, he’s still a legitimate third baseman and fantasy building block. However, after last year, I’m not sure we see a better overall season from Machado. If you can get equal production, but a younger age, this is the time to take advantage.
Last season, Machado had one of his better seasons. He hit .275 with 27 home runs 95 RBI, and 91 runs. Perhaps more impressively, he stole 14 bases. On the surface, nothing about that screams “dynasty sell”.
But are we ever going to see a better season than 2025 from Machado? With a 12.9% barrel rate and 51.5% hard hit rate, he’s still well positioned to help fantasy teams. The piece that troubles me, though, was Machado’s .185 ISO. It’s down from his career mark of .207, and it has been a steady decline.
In a redraft league, I’m not paying maximum value for Machado. And in dynasty league, I’m looking to use him to get younger and attempt to plug multiple holes in my lineup.
Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds
While Eugenio Suarez signed late in the off-season, from a home-field standpoint, he couldn’t have signed with a better team. The home park of the Cincinnati Reds should be well-suited to Suarez’s power.
But do we really think Suarez is going to hit 49 home runs again?
After one of the best years of his career, it’s very telling that Suarez didn’t have a market materialize. The Seattle Mariners didn’t seem that all that interested in retaining Suarez, and he managed just a one-year contract.
In fairness, the power is real. Suarez is a middle-of-the-order threat who finished with 49 home runs, 118 RBI, and 91 runs scored. But that also came with a 29.8% strikeout rate and a .228 batting average. Suarez’s .212 xBA also didn’t do him any favors. As a .246 career hitter, there’s limited upside.
Entering age 34, are we really confident in Suarez repeating his .298 ISO when compared to a career mark of .218? That likely brings him closer to being a 30-HR hitter with his best days behind him.
Colt Keith, Detroit Tigers
When it comes to leadoff hitters, Colt Keith doesn’t represent what we are accustomed to. The same can be said for his power output at the hot corner.
For the second straight season, Keith finished with just 13 home runs. That’s despite his barrel (9.7%) and hard hit (43.7%) rates increasing. With a 23.4% line drive rate and 79.5% contact rate, the feeling is that Keith should be better. After all, he is a former top prospect. The concern here, though, is that he has reached a plateau.
In 137 games last year, Keith hit .256 with just 45 RBI and 65 runs scored. Neither his .157 ISO nor 13.3-degree average launch angle truly lends itself to increased promotion. At this point, I’m willing to move to a trade partner who doesn’t feel the same way.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
Fantrax is one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites in the fantasy sports industry, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We are the most customizable, easy-to-use, and feature-rich platform in the industry, offering the greatest fantasy experience for your dynasty, keeper, redraft, and best ball leagues. Fantasy sports doesn’t sleep, and neither does Fantrax, with seasons running 365 days a year. Take your fantasy leagues to the next level now at Fantrax.com!
