Buy or Sell: Believe in Young Starting Pitchers; Let Someone 'Steal' Starling Marte

Once a struggling player hits his hot streak it becomes nearly impossible to obtain his services at anything near a reasonable cost. Similarly, once an overachieving player begins to slump, owners will have a tough time getting anything more than 50 cents on the dollar in exchange. Here's a look at both types of players owners can look to either move or acquire:

Buy

SP Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston Red Sox

Rodriguez and the Red Sox couldn't have asked for much more in his first start back from the disabled list. He went six innings against the Baltimore Orioles, picking up the win after allowing just six hits and two runs. He had only three strikeouts, but he didn't walk a single batter.

In 121 2/3 big-league innings last season, he posted a 7.25 K/9. His best strikeout rate came in Double-A during the 2014 season, when he was fanning 9.40 hitters per nine innings. His walk rate has always been low, and sits at 2.61 during his major league career.

He'll be tougher to acquire than Matt Shoemaker (listed below), as he pitches for the widely popular Red Sox, but he'll also receive more run support. Wins aren't predictable in baseball, but Rodriguez will regularly have a higher probability than most starters with baseball's best offense hitting behind him.

SP Matt Shoemaker, Los Angeles Angels

Shoemaker is still available on waiver wires but the window is closing rather quickly. The Angels RHP has strung together three consecutive quality starts, topping potent offenses in the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers. He's been credited with one win, one loss, and one no decision, but he's struck out a total 31 hitters in that time and allowed just four earned runs.

He has surrendered a total of 17 hits in his past two games, but he hasn't walked a single batter in three starts. His 2.24 BB/9 is his lowest rate since his breakout season in 2014, while his 9.11 K/9 is a career best. His poor start to the year still has his ERA at 5.50, but his 3.57 xFIP shows far more promise.

Shoemaker's 34.1 percent flyball rate is down from 42.4 percent in 2015. He's giving up more line drives, but his hard-contact percentage is also down from last year. His fastball velocity is up from the past three years. His next start comes in Yankee Stadium - a notoriously tough park for righties - but owners will want him as he moves forward.

Sell

OF Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Pirates

Marte is two stolen bases off the league lead with 17 on the season. He's been caught just five times, for a sparkling success rate of 77.3 percent. The steals have helped him to score 28 runs this season, which him tied for 25th among outfielders.

After hitting 19 home runs last year, his power has dropped slightly, as he's at five dingers through 51 games, putting him on pace for 15 if he plays the same 153 games.

While the steals have been impressive so far, owners should be expecting a deteriorating pace. His walk rate is a paltry 2.3 percent, the lowest of his career. With a career rate of 4.6 percent, a dramatic spike can't be expected, especially with an increased strikeout rate this season.

SS Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies

Story hit six fewer home runs in May than he did in April, though his four homers from last month is still an impressive number. His batting average actually rose, and his strikeout rate dropped marginally. Owners can now safely recognize who Story is as a player, making him easier to trade and trade for.

Suspended SS Jose Reyes is on a minor league rehab assignment, and he's already hit a home run. Story deserves considerable playing time moving forward, and the Rockies are still yet to announce their plans moving forward regarding the incorporation of Reyes into their lineup, or even his future with the team.

Should Reyes remain in Colorado, his contract warrants plenty of playing time. That playing time is likely to come from a variety of positions. While Story will remain a regular fixture in the lineup, he's likely to see at least some reduction in at-bats, making it a smart move to flip him before Reyes officially returns.