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Fanademy

Sell High

Selling high means trading a player away right after a stretch of strong games, when his value is at its peak.

Sell high is a trade strategy where you deal a player while his value is inflated. A running back who scores three touchdowns in two weeks, or a wide receiver coming off back-to-back 150-yard games, suddenly looks like a star to other managers. Smart managers take advantage of that excitement by trading the player for more than he would normally be worth.

The idea works because hot streaks often do not last. A player may be scoring more than his workload suggests he can keep up, or he may be benefiting from lucky matchups and bounces. If you expect him to cool off, selling now lets you turn one great stretch into a more reliable asset, like a consistent starter or a valuable draft pick.

The tricky part is knowing the difference between a true breakout and a temporary hot streak. If a young player has earned a bigger role and keeps getting heavy targets or carries, he may be worth holding. Selling high works best when the player's recent numbers look better than his underlying opportunity.

Common questions

When is the best time to sell high on a player?

The best time is right after a big game or a strong stretch, before other managers in your league realize the player may come back down to earth.

Should you always sell a player after a few great games?

No. If the player has taken on a bigger role and is getting consistent volume, he may be a real breakout worth keeping. Sell high works best when the numbers look better than the player's actual opportunity.

Related terms

Fanademy ranks every player by value over replacement under your league's scoring. The free top five at each position is public; the full board is $5 a month or $40 a year.

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