RADIO
It’s been a hell of a week - and not just in the world of baseball.
There was a huge thunderstorm and my house got struck by lightning causing my basement to flood. Even worse, crazy winds carried my bbq grill off my deck and smashed it into pieces.
So, in honor of my BBQ, I am going to cut some big names this week just like I would cut into a big ol' delicious teriyaki marinated steak tip.
The Week 18 Cut List
Joc Pederson (OF, Dodgers)
Oh my god, am I suggesting that you drop Joc Pederson? Bold moves win championships. They also lose them. Proceed with caution.
You have to take chances and you can't let a struggling rookie drag you down. If you are in a dynasty league, you are obviously not dropping Joc Pederson. However, in a shallow redraft league, it's crazy, but it’s time to trade, drop, or let him rot on your bench.
Pederson is in a massive slump since the All Star Break. After posting 20 HR with an .851 OPS over the first half of the season, he has since hit only one home run with a .521 OPS. His futility is evidenced by his 32.8% K% and his ISO has dropped from .257 over the first half to .086 since the All Star Break. Dodgers skipper, Don Mattingly also plans to give him extra days of rest to let him work on his issues. Hopefully Pederson can adjust and overcome but if you need that roster spot, Pederson is now expendable.
Martin Prado (2B / 3B / OF, Marlins)
C’mon people! Prado isnt worth owning at this point. Hopefully the Pirates infielder Josh Harrison is available. He is coming off the DL soon and with his multi position eligibility should be a nice replacement. Prado is surprisingly 33% owned in Yahoo leagues, which makes no sense. He is batting .272 on the year with 4 HR, 27 RBI and Zero stolen bases. Along with that uselessness, his .671 OPS hurts your team. You are literally better off leaving the roster spot empty.
Brandon Moss (1B / OF, Cardinals)
Moss finally made the cut list. I have mentioned his name here a million times, but his high OPS always kept me hanging on. Now that he is on the Cards, I almost waited another week to see if this new opportunity would spark some 2013 into him. But, I cannot recommend waiting any longer. With only 11 hits in 18 games since the All Star Break, he looks done. His .242 BABIP does indicate some room for improvement but not enough.
Stephen Vogt (C / 1B, Athletics)
Like Pederson, Vogt has fallen off a cliff since the All Star Break. Over the last 17 games, he is batting .133/.161/.217 with only seven hits and one home run. Most managers will hang onto him hopeful for a resurgence, but I would caution that it might not happen. Over the first half, Vogt had a nice 40.2 FB% mixed in with a 15.6% HR/FB. His FB% is very close to the norm for Vogt, but the 15.6% HR/FB is almost double his career average. Vogt was a very hot power bat over the first couple months of the season, and hopefully you sold high. His power isn’t likely coming back. Trade or cut him before the other managers in your league catch on.
Jimmy Paredes (2B / 3B, Orioles)
The 26-year-old is ranked 1233 over the last 30 days in Yahoo leagues. Over his last 72 at bats, he’s posted a.208 BA with a .500 OPS. He is definitely collecting dust on your bench by now. Drop him and take a waiver on Yunel Escobar if he is still available. Escobar is still hitting .317 on the year versus Paredes .283 and has 3B, SS eligibility. He should be owned by more than 50% of managers.
Good luck with all of your cuts this week and don't forget to strap down your BBQ Grill during your next thunderstorm. For last weeks cuts, click here.
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