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The Cut List (Week 12): Players to Consider Cutting Bait On

So I've added two more new segments to this column. We've got the graveyard, and the zombies. The graveyard is basically just a running list of guys who should have been and still should be cut from rosters. The zombies, as the name implies, are some players who have come back and started performing again after being featured on here in previous weeks.

Anyway, it's important to know when to let go in fantasy, and drop the dead weight that may be holding your teams back. So let's get to the cuts. I can't cover every player that is droppable, for every league size and format, but I chose a few that stood out for me. Without further ado, here is a list of some guys with whom you shouldn't waste your time, as we head into Week 12 of the fantasy baseball season.

Editor's Note: RotoBaller has the best Premium MLB Subscription for only $1.99 per week. We have all the tools to help win your seasonal and daily leagues: Hitter & Pitcher Streamers, Matchup Ratings for every player, Sleeper Surgers for AVG, HR, Ks, PLUS Daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Lineup Picks, Expert Lineups, Stacks and Avoids. 

 

Week 12 Players to Consider Cutting

1) Tommy Joseph (PHI, 1B):

Drop in 12 Team Leagues

Ever since getting the starting gig over Ryan Howard, Joseph has struggled. He's only one for his last 23, with no RBI or homers in that span. The 26.8% K rate makes this all or nothing turn out unsurprising, but not any less irritating. After bursting onto the scene, Joseph was the waiver wire flavor of the week. Now that he's seeing regular playing time though, pitchers are starting to adjust and exploit his uber-aggressive approach at the dish. He's worth hanging onto in deep leagues where you might be desperate for power. In shallower leagues though, it's safe to cut him.

 

2) Jhonny Peralta (STL, SS/3B)

Drop in 10 Team Leagues

Peralta came off the DL and was productive right away. It was a nice present to anyone who stashed him on their roster. He's four for his last 21, with two RBI and a run scored. His versatility will make him hard to part with, but in reality Peralta is more of a high floor/so-so ceiling type of guy. Now that SS is no longer such a shallow position, Peralta's middle of the pack numbers are less impressive. If you aren't desperate for help on the left side of the infield, you might be better served using the roster spot on someone else.

 

3) Dan Straily (CIN, SP)

Droppable in Most Leagues

Every time that Straily would get called up over the last couple of years, I would see people talking about his strikeout ability and that he was worth rolling the dice on. Straily finally was looking good this year, but it was a bit of a mirage in my opinion. A SIERA of 4.57 and an xFIP of 4.68 were pretty loud indicators of regression. Hitters also aren't particularly fooled by his stuff as he has 69 K in 78 IP. He does have one game with 11 K this season, but after getting hit around by the Braves last time out I think it's time to move on. He had a nice run, but the peripherals are catching up to him.

 

Hot Seat

So these are some guys you shouldn't cut just yet, but who would be the first to go on most rosters if you need to add someone else.

1) Mike Napoli (CLE, 1B/OF)

Nearly Droppable in 10 Team Leagues

Not withstanding his 3-run home run on Saturday, Napster has been snoozing lately. He hadn't homered since June 5th prior to this one, was hitless in his last 15 AB, and looked to be crashing after a nice start to the season. He's still on pace to finish with around 90 RBI, but the average and hot streaks are tough to stomach. Not only that, but he's only finished with 30 HR in a season one time. Whether it be due to health or his frigid cold spells, Napoli has a hard time crossing the high teens and low 20's threshold. Not that those are bad numbers, but he's hard to own when he's not raking. If you see a better alternative on the wire, go for it and drop Napoli unless he happens to heat up soon.

2) Leonys Martin (SEA, OF)

This is going to be a health based hot seat entry, much like with Maybin last week. Leonys Martin is dealing with a hamstring issue, so even though he's playing he's not 100% at the moment. He can still hit for power, but the speed game would suffer a lot from a leg injury. Not only that, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if the bad hammy affects his swing mechanics too. As of this writing, Martin has only had one poor game at the plate. The seat is not very hot at all. However if it becomes a prolonged slump I would cut bait, especially considering Martin's underwhelming track record.

3) Aledmys Diaz (STL, 2B/SS)

Diaz has been enjoying a nice rookie campaign. Unfortunately, he's been cold over the last week or so. He doesn't strike out much, but he doesn't walk a lot either. He puts the ball on the ground, so the .323 BABIP was going to lead to his average regressing a bit. The contact skills are good, but can he get things going again? I see him as a good but not overly exciting option for the rest of the season. If he doesn't pick up his production soon, he's droppable in shallow leagues.

 

Reverse Jinx

David Peralta (ARI, OF)

A popular draft target heading into the season, he's been pretty lame and he's been hurt on top of that. There is still upside here, and he might be sitting on the wire in some shallower league. For the fun of it, I'm going to put the reverse hex on Peralta. Since normally I'd say to give him a Brian Moorman style punt, I figure he might bust out all of the sudden. Keep a close watch on him.

 

Graveyard

Addison Russell

Jaime Garcia

Joe Panik

Travis Shaw

 

Zombies

Brandon Belt (SF, 1B/OF)

Well I owe Mr. Belt an apology. He's snapped out of his little cold streak and has me with a little egg on my face over here. Ever since I advocated for dropping him, Belt has homered twice and driven in five runs. Can't get em all right.

 

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Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Rashod Bateman

Ruled Out for Week 12
Alexandre Sarr

Ruled Out for a Second Straight Game
Roman Josi

Could Return Saturday
Samuel Honzek

Out for Six Months After Surgery
Chris Godwin

Officially Questionable for Week 12
Jalen Chatfield

Available for Friday's Matchup
Andrew Wiggins

Labeled as "Day-to-Day"
Nico Sturm

Activated From Injured Reserve
Jason Zucker

Available Friday
Brandon Miller

Returning To Charlotte's Lineup On Saturday
Connor Hellebuyck

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Jaylen Warren

Cleared From Injury Report Ahead of Week 12
Jalen Brunson

Probable For Saturday's Matchup With The Magic
Brian Thomas Jr.

Ruled Out for Week 12
Kenneth Walker III

Listed as Questionable for Week 12
Kyle Filipowski

Good To Go Friday Night
Trey Benson

Ruled Out For Week 12
Shaedon Sharpe

Won't Suit Up Friday
Jrue Holiday

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Friday Night
Josh Jacobs

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 12
Darius Slayton

Cleared to Return From Hamstring Injury in Week 12
Daniel Jones

"Good to Go" for Week 12
Alvin Kamara

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 12
Xavier Worthy

"Trending in the Right Direction," Officially Questionable
Isiah Pacheco

Out Against Colts
Drake London

Officially Ruled Out for Week 12
CFB

Beau Pribula Expected to Start Against Oklahoma
Aaron Rodgers

Questionable to Play Against Bears
Grayson Allen

Sidelined Again on Friday
Jaden McDaniels

Could Miss Another Game on Friday
Cooper Flagg

Listed as Available on Friday
Rhamondre Stevenson

Expected to Return in Week 12
D'Angelo Russell

Questionable on Friday Vs. Pelicans
Jayden Reed

Packers Open Jayden Reed's Practice Window on Friday
Chris Godwin

Trending Toward Playing on Sunday
Joe Burrow

Officially Questionable for Week 12
Bucky Irving

Out for Week 12, Bucs Targeting a Week 13 Return
Sam LaPorta

Likely to Miss Remainder of 2025 Season
Josh Jacobs

"Feeling Pretty Good," Practicing Again on Friday
Dan Hooker

An Underdog At UFC Qatar
Arman Tsarukyan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Ian Machado Garry

A Favorite At UFC Qatar
Belal Muhammad

Looks To Bounce Back
Alonzo Menifield

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Collin Murray-Boyles

Ruled Out Friday Against Wizards
Volkan Oezdemir

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jaylon Tyson

Tagged as Questionable on Friday
Sam Merrill

Won't Play on Friday Vs. Pacers
Myktybek Orolbai

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Jack Hermansson

Makes His Welterweight Debut
Kyoji Horiguchi

Returns To The UFC
Tagir Ulanbekov

Set To Open Up UFC Qatar Main Card
Marvin Bagley III

Doubtful as Wizards Frontcourt Thins
Draymond Green

Set to Rejoin Lineup vs. Blazers
Jimmy Butler III

Probable for Friday's Home Game
Aaron Gordon

Expected Back in the Lineup on Friday
Coby White

Uncertain Against Heat
Tre Jones

Questionable Ahead of Heat Matchup
Sergei Bobrovsky

Frustrates Devils With Shutout
Adam Fantilli

Leads Blue Jackets to Victory in Toronto
Ilya Sorokin

Posts Second Shutout of the Season
Alex Ovechkin

Nets 33rd Career Hat Trick
Andre Burakovsky

Ruled Out for Friday
Gavin Brindley

Hurt Versus Rangers
Jake Evans

Exits With Injury Thursday
Elly De La Cruz

Played Through Partially Torn Quad to End 2025
Darius Garland

Might Play on Friday Night
Tarik Skubal

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal
Simon Holmstrom

Ready for Action Thursday
Lars Eller

Available Thursday
Ridly Greig

Out Against Ducks
Jake Neighbours

Back for Blues Thursday
TB

Nicholas Paul Available Thursday
Victor Hedman

Out for "Couple of Weeks"
Tyler Bertuzzi

Set to Return Thursday
Rasmus Andersson

Bags Three Points Wednesday Night
Raisel Iglesias

Returning to the Braves on One-Year Deal
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Continue Fall Run at RSM Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Looking to Bounce Back at RSM Classic
Tom Hoge

Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
Joe Highsmith

Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
Austin Eckroat

Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

Teetering for PGA Tour Card in 2026
PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

Finishing Out Year in Georgia
Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

Roller Coaster Comes to Saint Simons Island
Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
Austin Cook

Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach

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