Slow start or an early-season mirage? Go 'all in' ...
Key takeaways
- We're now deep enough into the season where 2026 stat lines are increasingly perceived as full-year trends by some, and panic amongst fantasy baseball managers whose teams have started off slowly is only rising.
- Whether it's past history, a tough schedule or merely awful luck, certain slow-starting players have reason to formulate strong cases for a turnaround.
- Granted, not every sluggish superstar is bound to improve in the coming weeks.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Even though he has zero homers so far this year, Fernando Tatis is still a player worth trading for. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images Tristan H. Cockcroft May 6, 2026, 08:20 AM ETClose Tristan H. Cockcroft is senior writer for fantasy baseball and football at ESPN. Tristan is a member of the FSWA Hall of Fame. He is also a two-time LABR and three-time Tout Wars champion.Follow on XMultiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions Gear up for some bargain shopping!
We're now deep enough into the season where 2026 stat lines are increasingly perceived as full-year trends by some, and panic amongst fantasy baseball managers whose teams have started off slowly is only rising. Nevertheless, the season-long sample size remains small and the trade market is rife with opportunity.
Whether it's past history, a tough schedule or merely awful luck, certain slow-starting players have reason to formulate strong cases for a turnaround. These early mirages should rank atop your trade target list.