The Cut List - Time To Let Go? Who To Consider Dropping For Fantasy Baseball (Week 14)

June 28, 2026

The fantasy baseball Cut List for Week 14 of 2026. Jamie analyzes potential fantasy baseball busts, overvalued players, and injured players to consider dropping.

Welcome back to The Cut List as we head into Week 14 of the 2026 fantasy baseball season. For those who are not familiar, this is our weekly article looking at players whom fantasy managers might be considering cutting from their teams and struggling players who need a closer look.

We'll look at players who are worth monitoring for replacing and someone on the hot seat who should be held on to... for now. Experienced Cut List readers will know I'm a strong advocate for not making knee-jerk reactions. A bad week or two shouldn't be a reason to push the panic button and dump someone.

If there's ever someone you want me to take a look at, drop their name in the Reddit comments, the RotoBaller Discord chat rooms, or reach out to me on X (@Baseball_Jimbo). Maybe you'll see them included next week. All stats and rostered rates (taken from Yahoo!) reflect when this piece was written.

Pitchers

Riley O'Brien - RP, St. Louis Cardinals - 77% rostered

O'Brien has been one of the best fantasy relievers this year. Despite his 4.05 ERA (33 1/3 innings), O'Brien's 19 saves are the fifth-most in baseball. His last blown save came on May 19, 11 appearances ago. So it may seem a surprise that he's included this week. That is, until you look a little deeper.

The warning signs are there for O'Brien remaining as a closer. If we compare O'Brien's numbers since his last blown save on May 19 and before then, we can see how much he's struggled of late.

O'Brien is being hit harder, striking out fewer, and walking more. That's not a recipe for success. Reliever's numbers can be more volatile, with a couple of bad outings skewing them. In O'Brien's case, he's just not been the same pitcher over the last few weeks as he was to start the season.

Verdict: 

As long as he's closing, we're still holding. As long as the Cardinals are in contention for a Wild Card spot, they won't give O'Brien as long a leash. We're not dropping O'Brien. But unless he rediscovers his early-season form, prepare to make a change, as you may need to find saves elsewhere.

Bryce Elder - SP, Atlanta Braves - 60% rostered

Elder is a reason why the Braves have had one of the better starting rotations in 2026 (3.88 ERA). After 17 starts, he's sporting a 5-6 W-L record, 4.01 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts (98 2/3 innings). A few weeks ago, those numbers were so much better.

Elder has an 8.10 ERA in his five June starts (26 2/3 innings). After only allowing five home runs in his first 12 appearances, Elder has been taken deep seven times in his last five starts. His last three starts have seen Elder tagged for 19 runs (14 innings).

There has been an element of bad luck for Elder. In his last three starts, he's had a .431 BABIP, 4.49 xFIP, and 4.70 SIERA (12.21 ERA). They won't last. However, the limited strikeouts from Elder will last (20.0% K% ranks in the 32nd percentile this year) and will result in more outings as we've seen recently.

Verdict:

Elder's lack of strikeouts caps his value, and he isn't someone I'd use in shallower leagues other than as a streaming option. In deeper leagues, I'd give Elder until the All-Star break to see if he can get back on track. If not, I'd be looking to make a change in deeper leagues, too.

Ben Brown - SP/RP, Chicago Cubs - 57% rostered

The 'Ben Brown Breakout' was curtailed last weekend when the Cubs' pitcher was put on the IL (injured list) with a neck injury. Brown was diagnosed with a 'stress reaction', and while we do not have a timeline for his return, Brown is set to be out for a while.

Ben Brown Appears Headed for a Lengthy Absence https://t.co/bjadbQwRFL

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) June 25, 2026

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We likely won't get a clearer picture for a few weeks. Worryingly, Cubs manager Craig Counsell likened the issue to one Brown had in 2024. Back then, Brown went on the IL in June and wasn't seen again for the Cubs until 2025. While it's still too early to know if history will repeat itself, the signs aren't great.

Verdict:

Given the early prognosis and the chance of a repeat of 2024, Brown isn't a priority stash. If you do have a spare IL spot and can stash him, then do so. At best, you need to plan for a mid-August return. If you have others on the IL or don't have a vacant spot anywhere to stash Brown, he can be dropped.

Hitters

Salvador Perez - C/1B, Kansas City Royals - 80% rostered

It feels like the catcher position is more fantasy-friendly than it has been for some time. That's because it is. Unfortunately, Perez hasn't been able to be a part of the fantasy catcher renaissance. After 78 games, he's hitting .200/.242/.331 with 10 home runs, 30 RBI, 29 runs, and no stolen bases.

That's left Perez ranked 19th among catchers (according to Yahoo! standard 5x5 rotisserie scoring). Only four catcher-eligible players have had more plate appearances than Perez this year (327), so volume isn't a problem. Perez simply hasn't been hitting well.

Perez does have a .223 xBA (expected batting average) and .387 xSLG (expected slugging percentage). He should have a better slash line than he has. Even if Perez's slash line matched his expected numbers, he still wouldn't be a top-10 catcher this year.

Verdict:

Despite the modest power numbers, only eight catchers have hit more homers than Perez. That's all the value you're getting from him. If you need the home runs, Perez should still be rostered. Otherwise, he's only a two-catcher or deep league option moving forward.

Ernie Clement - 1B/2B/3B/SS, Toronto Blue Jays - 66% rostered

It's not every week that the American League All-Star leading vote getter would appear on The Cut List. It highlights the paucity of good options at second base and also how Clement has struggled to provide fantasy value recently. Clement has a .313 batting average in June, so getting hits hasn't been a problem.

Clement isn't a power hitter, as evidenced by his career 32 home runs in 516 games. In June, his power numbers have dropped, with a .438 SLG (slugging percentage). He hit .297/.321/.475 in May. Clement has just five extra-base hits this month (83 plate appearances). That's limited Clement to six RBI in June

There's a very real possibility that Clement's numbers continue to regress. He's got a .252 xBA and .342 xSLG this year, both considerably worse than his .303/.323/.446 slash line. Whilst Clement's numbers are solid, they are declining. His overall numbers will likely continue to regress gradually.

Verdict:

Clement's positional versatility provides value, especially in deeper leagues. He only ranks in the top 20 at third base and shortstop (19th) of the four positions he's eligible at. With batting average being Clement's main asset, and something we will likely see drop in the coming weeks, it's worth looking for better options on waivers in shallower leagues.

Xander Bogaerts - SS, San Diego Padres - 37% rostered

The days of Bogaerts being a viable fantasy shortstop appear to be over. Despite a 162-game pace of 17 home runs, 63 RBI, 69 runs, and 21 stolen bases. That alone wouldn't be too bad if Bogaerts weren't hitting .225/.317/.330. That's left him ranked 30th among shortstops.

Despite the struggles, Bogaerts could still be a useful option in deeper leagues. He's currently got a .256 BABIP, by far the lowest of his career. Bogaerts also has a .244 xBA and .377 xSLG. Neither is great, but they do suggest we could see better numbers in the second half of 2026.

Verdict: 

Bogaerts is still hitting in the middle of the Padres' lineup. The problem is that no team has scored fewer runs than San Diego (319). In deep leagues, Bogaerts could still provide value and possibly have a first 20/20 season. Outside of deep leagues, you should be looking at alternatives.

On the Hot Seat

Freddy Peralta - SP, New York Mets - 93% rostered

Few players have been rage-dropped quite like Peralta was last week. After being drafted as an SP2 this year, Peralta hasn't come close to living up to that billing. He's set to enter free agency on the back of his worst season as a full-time starting pitcher, and there's one main reason many are pointing to: The Mets.

That may be a bit simplistic. But there's no disguising that the Mets have been awful. Only the Rockies and Giants have a worse record in the National League. Their pitching hasn't been helped by the 54 errors (third-most), with only the Nationals and Giants having a worse fielding percentage than the Mets (.982).

It's a bit too simplistic to simply blame the Mets. We mustn't overlook how well the Brewers do with their pitchers. Kyle Harrison is the most recent case in point. If we compare Peralta's Statcast Profiles over the last two seasons, we can see how much more impactful he was in Milwaukee.

It's not like the Mets have had Peralta changing his pitch mix. He's been using his arsenal at a similar rate this year as he did in 2025. We have seen a drop (0.8 MPH) in his fastball velocity, though. Peralta has a 4.05 xFIP and 4.17 SIERA. He should have a better ERA (4.53) than he does. Not by much and not worthy of an SP2.

Peralta did bounce back from his 10-run shellacking that saw many fantasy managers lose patience. In something of a symbolic outing, Peralta allowed three unearned runs against the Cubs on Thursday. It was a reminder that he does still possess plenty of talent. Even if he's shown inconsistency this year.

Verdict:

I understand the frustration with Peralta and why many dropped him last weekend. Only four quality starts in 17 outings isn't ideal. Given how this season has gone for him and the Mets, we should expect similar moving forward. Peralta may end up being traded. Even if he isn't, unless something drastic happens, he's worth holding.

Reader Requests

As always, we're keen to hear who you want us to analyze. If there is anyone you want to include on next week's Cut List, drop their names on the Reddit thread or in the RotoBaller Discord chat rooms. Alternatively, you can reach out to me on X, and we'll endeavor to cover some requests each week.

Jarren Duran - OF, Boston Red Sox - 93% rostered

The frustration with rostering Duran is his batting average. He's currently got a .198/.255/.360 slash line, the worst of his career. Despite the struggles, Duran still ranks 47th among outfielders. Not what he was drafted for, but still worth rostering in most formats. That's almost entirely due to Duran's power/speed combo.

Only six players have at least 12 home runs and 12 stolen bases. Duran is one of them. He's also got a 162-game pace of 82 RBI and 82 runs. If he continues on his current pace for counting stats, Duran will provide value in four of the main five scoring categories.

We can expect Duran's slash line to improve. He entered the season with a career .340 BABIP. This year, Duran has a .247 BABIP. Between that and his .228 xBA and .380 xSLG, a slight uptick in his numbers is likely. Even a small improvement in his batting average will see Duran be a top-40 fantasy outfielder.

Verdict:

As disappointing as Duran's batting average has been, he's at least offset it with the counting stats. I fully understand dropping him in shallower leagues. But there's enough production to warrant rostering Duran moving forward. Even if we only see a slight improvement in his slash line, better overall numbers are on the cards.

Jose Soriano - SP, Los Angeles Dodgers - 86% rostered

Soriano got off to a red-hot start this year. He allowed just one run in his first six outings (37 2/3 innings). Even after some struggles in May, Soriano still entered June with a 2.65 ERA after 12 starts. In June, Soriano has seen his ERA (3.41) climb even further.

Soriano still has a 2-0 W-L record this month, despite a 5.70 ERA in his five June starts. Given Soriano has a 3.77 xFIP and 4.08 SIERA this year, regression was always likely. We can see how much the gap between Soriano's ERA and underlying numbers has closed up as the season has progressed.

Soriano has been walking more batters, which has contributed to his recent struggles. Soriano's 12.0% BB% ranks in the 15th percentile and will need to drop if he is to regain his early-season form. Walks have been a problem throughout Soriano's career. If he can get them under control, we could still see a sub-4.00 ERA over the remainder of the year.

Verdict:

Soriano has flashed his ability, although he was fortunate to begin the year. We've seen some expected regression in recent weeks. Soriano should be able to halt that with road starts lined up against Seattle, Texas, and Minnesota. With a 2.83 road ERA (3.99 ERA at home), Soriano is worth rostering through to the All-Star break at least.

Dansby Swanson - SS, Chicago Cubs - 71% rostered

How quickly things can change. Swanson entered last Sunday with a .183/.292/.325 slash line, eight homers, 31 RBI, 43 runs, and nine steals. At the start of this week, Swanson went nuts against the Mets, going 7-for-12, with three home runs, 15 RBI, five runs, and one stolen base.

After clobbering the Mets in the first three games of the week, Swanson has gone 0-for-12 in the subsequent three games. Before this week, Swanson had one home run, four RBI, nine runs, and four stolen bases in 16 June games. After this week, Swanson now ranks third in RBI and seventh in runs this year among shortstops.

We can't count on Swanson having 15 RBI every week. He'll probably never have a three-game spell like it ever again. Unless his batting average improves, Swanson may not get 15 RBI in a month over the remainder of this season.

Verdict:

With a .199 xBA and .345 xSLG, I don't envisage this past week being a sign of things to come. Even hitting ninth should still lead to RBI and runs, as the Cubs' offense is rediscovering their prowess. Swanson will need to maintain those counting stats to offset the negative impact of his batting average. Rostering Swanson comes down to your team's needs.

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