👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

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.

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-55" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 


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




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaylon Tyson

Rejoins Cavaliers Lineup as Starter
Klay Thompson

Misses Friday's Game Due to Illness
Kevin Huerter

Back in Action Friday
Sam Hauser

Cleared to Play Friday
Neemias Queta

Ready to Take on Pelicans
Derrick White

Good to Go Friday
Jaylen Brown

Active on Friday
Josh Giddey

Still Out Friday
Miles McBride

Exits Knicks Lineup Friday
Mitchell Robinson

Sidelined on Friday
Norman Powell

Won't Play Against Wizards
Tyler Herro

Out on Friday
Saddiq Bey

Herbert Jones Resting Friday
Immanuel Quickley

Unavailable Friday
Julius Randle

Misses Second Straight Game
Jayson Tatum

Won't Play Friday
Dontayvion Wicks

Eagles Acquiring Dontayvion Wicks From the Packers
Brent Rooker

A's Place Brent Rooker on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
J.T. Realmuto

Back in Friday's Lineup
Parker Meadows

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Broken Arm, Concussion
Seiya Suzuki

Back From the Injured List
Carlos Ulberg

A Slight Underdog
Jiří Procházka

Jiri Prochazka Can Become UFC Champion Again
Paulo Costa

Makes his Light-Heavyweight Debut
Azamat Murzakanov

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
Josh Hokit

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Curtis Blaydes

A Favorite At UFC 327
DJ Giddens

an Easily Replaceable Insurance Back
Kenny Moore II

and Colts Seeking a Trade
Hunter Henry

Could Be Impacted by NFL Draft
AJ Barner

a Mispriced Dynasty Asset
Cedric Tillman

Nearing Cut Candidacy in Dynasty Leagues
Josh Jacobs

Has a Health-Related Production Dip Left Josh Jacobs Undervalued?
Sam Carrick

to Miss Start of Playoffs
Alex Lyon

Questionable for Start of Postseason
Dakota Joshua

Unlikely to Return This Season
John Gibson

Exits Thursday's Game Due to Neck Problem
Miro Heiskanen

Uncertain for Playoffs
Brandon Hagel

Expected to Return Before End of Regular Season
Roman Josi

Nursing Upper-Body Injury
Trey Murphy III

Unavailable Against Celtics
Dejounte Murray

Remains Out Friday
Zion Williamson

Won't Suit Up Friday
Jalen Williams

Out on Friday
Jarrett Allen

Won't Play Against Hawks
Moritz Seider

has Five-Point Game on Thursday
Xavier Legette

Trending Down Ahead of Year 3
Rashod Bateman

a Cut Candidate in All Dynasty Leagues?
Ja'Tavion Sanders

Can Ja'Tavion Sanders Break Through in the Panthers' Offense?
Cole Caufield

Reaches 50 Goals
Jayden Reed

Can Jayden Reed Bounce Back as a WR3/Flex in 2026?
Travis Hunter

to be Full-Time Cornerback, Part-Time Wide Receiver in 2026
Blake Coleman

Unavailable Thursday
Quinton Byfield

Cleared to Play Thursday
Thomas Chabot

Makes Surprise Return Thursday
Luke Hughes

to Miss Rest of Season
Stuart Skinner

Faces Devils Thursday
Nazem Kadri

to "Miss Some Games" With Finger Injury
Seth Jones

to Miss Rest of Season Due to Broken Foot
Corbin Carroll

Dealing With Hip Injury, Not Expected to Miss Much Time
NFL

Jordyn Tyson to Hold Individual Workout on April 17
Brent Rooker

Exits Early on Thursday Due to Apparent Injury
NFL

No New Injury Issues for Francis Mauigoa
Travis Hunter

to be "Limited Participant" During Offseason Workouts
Carolina Panthers

Denzel Boston Visiting With Panthers on Thursday
Mark Andrews

Ready for More Opportunities in 2026
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Part of a Muddled Giants Backfield Heading into 2026
Chimere Dike

Fantasy Value Potentially Limited by What He Offers in Return Game
Chase Brown

an Important Name to Monitor on Day 1 of the NFL Draft
Bijan Robinson

Could Just Be Entering His Prime
Zach Benson

Scores Twice in Comeback Victory
Logan Thompson

Shuts Out the Leafs
Zach Eflin

Undergoes Successful Elbow Surgery, Will Miss Remainder of 2026
Andrei Kuzmenko

to Be Re-Evaluated in 7-8 Days
Mason Appleton

Won't Play Thursday
Tony DeAngelo

Expected to Return Thursday
Cole Ragans

"Should be Good" for Next Start
Reynaldo López

Reynaldo Lopez Handed Seven-Game Suspension
Jorge Soler

Suspended Seven Games, Will Appeal
Cole Ragans

Diagnosed With Thumb Contusion
Cole Ragans

Leaves Early on Wednesday After Being Hit in the Hand
Jacob deGrom

Expects to Make his Next Start
Konnor Griffin

Pirates Sign Konnor Griffin to Nine-Year Extension
Tyrrell Hatton

a Steady Option at The Masters
Justin Thomas

a High-Risk, High-Reward Option at The Masters
PGA

Sungjae Im a Volatile Option at the Masters
Nicolai Hojgaard

Carrying Momentum Into The Masters
Si Woo Kim

in Strong Form Heading to The Masters
Chris Gotterup

Ready to Make His Masters Debut
Patrick Reed

Brings Momentum to The Masters
Jon Rahm

Looks Poised for His Second Green Jacket
Jacob deGrom

Doesn't Have Structural Damage in his Knee
J.T. Realmuto

Leaves Game on Tuesday Due to Bruised Right Foot
Cody Ponce

to Have Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Six Months
Alejandro Kirk

Facing Six-Week Absence
Jacob deGrom

to Undergo MRI on Tuesday
Mike Trout

Back in the Lineup on Tuesday
Hunter Brown

Diagnosed with Grade 2 Shoulder Strain
Adam Scott

Form Points to Him Competing at Masters
Jordan Spieth

Finding Consistency Heading to Masters
Hideki Matsuyama

Trending In Right Direction For Masters
Tommy Fleetwood

a Contender if his Putter Cooperates at The Masters
Collin Morikawa

Vegas has Lost Confidence in Collin Morikawa Ahead of Masters Tournament
Ludvig Aberg

One of the Top Plays For This Week's Masters Tournament
Rory McIlroy

Set to Defend his Long-Awaited Masters Victory
Bryson DeChambeau

Looks to Finally Claim a Green Jacket
Patrick Cantlay

Needs Plenty to Go Right at Augusta
Harris English

Playing Solid Golf Heading to Masters
Sam Burns

Bouncing Back Nicely After Slow Start to 2026 Season
Corey Conners

Quietly Putting Together A Strong 2026 Season
Russell Henley

Looks to Bounce Back At Masters
Chris Duncan

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Renato Moicano

Gets Back In The Win Column
Tabatha Ricci

Gets Outgrappled
Virna Jandiroba

Bounces Back
Brendson Ribeiro

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev

Earns First-Round Submission Win
Rafael Estevam

Suffers His First Loss
Ethyn Ewing

Dominates At UFC Vegas 115
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF