RADIO
Welcome to The Cut List, the place where everyone comes to cut the cheese. This week, we will be talking about Mozzarella, Muenster and my personal favorite old cheese, LaTroy Hawkins. If you were unfortunate/dumb enough to draft him, you deserved it. But if you are getting naked for saves like a stripper for dollar bills, you really shouldn't be surprised when things don't go your way. It only takes basic math -- Hawkins helps in only one stat, saves. And he wrecks three: ERA, WHIP and K/9.
So Hawkins scores a -2 on the official “who cut the cheese?” player ranking scale that I just invented. It’s a ratings scale for everyone out there without a calculator or an advanced mathematics degree. To summarize, if said fantasy baseball player is bad in more categories than he is good, said player shall be banished to the waiver wire.
Lets talk some more possible cuts.
Players to Drop or Hold After Week 3
Brandon Belt - 1B, San Francisco Giants
What do we do with Brandon Belt? My Dad loves Belt. He was batting .167 through 11 games (before a 3-for-3 showing on Friday), which was only 7 hits in 45 plate appearances. First base is so deep that better options probably exist on the waiver. But Belt has just enough potential to keep him around for a little while longer. If he doesn't start showing signs of life real soon, CUT THE CHEESE!
Taijuan Walker - SP, Seattle Mariners
Did you reach on Taijuan Walker after his strong spring? I did. I also drafted LaTroy, if we are being completely honest. Walker’s dreadful first two starts have been well documented. In his last outing Walker allowed one run on four hits with eight strikeouts. But also gave up four walks.
It’s a small sample size, but in his first two games, Walker has doubled the use of his new cutter and splitter. In turn, he's decreased the use of his best pitch, his fastball, as well as second most used pitch, his curve. He is far too talented to drop in fantasy leagues, so I suggest hanging on for a little while. Hopefully it is just the cold spring weather affecting the 22 year old. DO NOT CUT THE CHEESE!
Ryan Howard - 1B, Philadelphia Phillies
Ryan Howard is currently 12% owned in Yahoo Leagues. In 13 games, Howard’s .196/.245/.326 slash line is brutal. Because of his advanced age, he will also get lots of days off. There is really no reason to own him. Ike Davis is probably available, so if you need a 1B with power potential, Davis currently has a .348 AVG with .915 OPS. Out of the gate Davis is a top 20 1B with far more upside than Howard. So when it comes to cheese, aged isn’t always better. CUT THE CHEESE!
Asdrubal Cabrera - SS/2B, Tampa Bay Rays
Asdrubal Cabrera is a near guaranteed 0-4. With a .203/.242/.254 triple slash, and a 22.6% K%, feel free to take him behind the shed and put him out of his misery. I can scarcely remember back to 2011, when “Scroobs” Cabrera gloriously/absurdly hit 25/87/92. Insane to think he hasn't hit more than 16 since.
Wilin Rosario - C, Colorado Rockies
In terms of depth, Rosario is the Rockies 3rd Catcher. He also maybe sometimes takes 1B duties against lefties. Overall, he has very little value and it doesn’t appear that it will change anytime soon. In fact, he was sent to AAA on Wednesday, so just cut the cheese.
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