RADIO
Welcome back to the Cut List, the place where I bitch and moan about my terrible fantasy team. Seriously, what is up with Carlos Gonzalez? My season is slipping away with every 0-for-4.
So what do I do?
I can't trade CarGo now, at his lowest value, so my only choice is to bench him and wait. I hate waiting. Owners of Andrew McCutchen, Ian Desmond, Stephen Strasburg, Jon Lester and Corey Kluber know this pain.
Players to Drop After Week 5: Easy Cuts
Chris Owings, SS, ARI
Didn’t take long for this RotoBaller favorite to fall from grace. His 28.0 K% is worst among qualified shortstops, he sits at .205/.233/.289 and he’s dangerously close to a timeshare with Aaron Hill. His .284 BABIP gives me some confidence that he is due to improve slightly and adjust closer to his career .314 mark. His speed/power potential still exists, but if Zack Cozart or Brandon Crawford are available, make the swap. Both have some decent pop at the SS position. Cozart and Crawford currently lead all SS with 5 HR (We’re not counting Hanley Ramirez because he is really an outfielder now).
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, SD
Jenny Dell’s old ball and chain might look like Ted Williams at the plate, but that’s probably only when Ted would strike out. Rex Sox Nation had high expectations for Middlebrooks but after all of that unfilled potential, it doesn't appear he is doing anything different for the Friars. In 2012 Middlebrooks hit .288 but has struggled to stay above the Mendoza line since. He was once projected to hit 30 HR but now I would be surprised if he ever hit 17 again. If you are that desperate for a 3B, cut him and add 28 year old Trevor Plouffe, better batting average and a better source of power.
Players to Drop or Hold After Week 5: The Tough Choices
Shin Soo Choo, OF, TEX
He’s a career .280/.381/.450 hitter with declining skills. His K% increased while his Line Drive Percentage (LD%) has decreased. He is hitting for less average and less power. Despite all of this, I would still hang on and hope he figures things out. In 2013 Choo’s 21/107/54 had managers happily drafting him in the top 50. After an injury plagued 2014, his 2015 couldn't have started any worse.
Chris Carter, 1B/OF, HOU
Don't drop Carter! He did exactly the same thing last season when he batted .153 over his first 26 games played. Believe it or not, he is actually starting off a little better this year compared to last season, with a triple slash of .151/.255/.267. His K% is insane at 38% but despite a ton of whiffs last year, he still hit 37/68/88. I see this as a buy low opportunity.
Josh Harrison, 2B/3B/SS/OF, PIT
He’s been dropped from the top of the batting order to 7th and his .188 batting average isn’t helping. Jung Ho Kang is getting more playing time at second and third base and if he starts hitting, he could also steal more at bats from Harrison. After a breakout in 2014, Harrison is now droppable. Second base is shallow, but if the Rockies' DJ LeMahieu is available, grab him. With a .880 OPS, he slightly edges out Jose Altuve for third among 2B. His current .368 BA is unsustainable as indicated by his insanely high .413 BABIP but he is getting on base and showing control at the plate, which Harrison is not. LeMahieu is like the anti Chris Owings with only an 11% K%.
Tune in next week when I get fantasy advice from the drunk angry Irishman. Adult language, imaginary nudity and a lack of political correctness will ensue.
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