👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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


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!




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Parker Washington

Set to Play "Most Important Role" of His Career in Jaguars Offense
Elly De La Cruz

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Tyler Reddick

Is One of the Top Favorites to Win at Nashville
Kyle Larson

May Continue his Top-10 Consistency at Nashville this week
Christopher Bell

Is One of the Top Competitors for the Win at Nashville
Chase Briscoe

Is A Must Start for Nashville DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

has Plenty of Upside for Nashville DFS Lineups
William Byron

Is William Byron A Playable DFS Option for Nashville Lineups?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dynasty Value May Have Peaked in 2025
Carson Hocevar

Is Likely to have Another Solid Result at Nashville
Tyler Shough

Should Dynasty Managers Consider Selling High on Tyler Shough?
NASCAR

Should Fantasy Players Roster Bubba Wallace at Nashville?
Garrett Wilson

Dynasty Upside Remains High Despite Questionable Offensive Environment in New York
Chris Buescher

Is A Decent All-Around DFS Option for Nashville Lineups
Daniel Suarez

is Likely to Drop Positions during the Cracker Barrel 400
Kenneth Gainwell

Carries Dynasty Sell-High Appeal After Breakout 2025 Campaign
Emeka Egbuka

Undervalued in Dynasty Formats After Underwhelming Close to 2025?
Trey Benson

a Dynasty Hold Despite Unfavorable Situation
Omar Cooper Jr.

a Long-Term Investment in the First Round of Rookie Drafts
Colston Loveland

Just How High is Colston Loveland's Dynasty Ceiling?
Garrett Crochet

Suffers Setback, Likely to Undergo MRI for Lat Tightness
Zay Flowers

A New-Look Offense in Baltimore Could Impact Zay Flowers' Dynasty Value
LeQuint Allen Jr.

a Dynasty Dart Throw with a Potential Path to Upside
Denny Hamlin

Could Denny Hamlin Dominate at Nashville?
Ryan Blaney

Is a DFS Tournament Option at Nashville
Ty Gibbs

Don't Overlook Ty Gibbs at Nashville
Joey Logano

Could Show Life at Nashville
Ross Chastain

Needs a Good Run at Nashville
Shedeur Sanders

Falling Behind in Quarterback Competition?
Isaiah Davis

Is Isaiah Davis the More Valuable Jets Handcuff?
Trey McBride

a Coveted Dynasty Cornerstone
Chet Holmgren

Fails to Step Up in the Season Finale
Brock Purdy

Still Not Valued as a Dynasty QB1
Cason Wallace

Ends Postseason with Strong Showing
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Caps MVP Season with Game 7 Exit
Justin Jefferson

an Obvious Bounce-Back Candidate
Stephon Castle

Continues Postseason Run with 16 Points
Julian Champagnie

Shines in Series-Clinching Win
De'Aaron Fox

Provides Secondary Punch in Game 7 Triumph
Victor Wembanyama

Earns Conference Finals MVP in Spurs' Game 7 Win
J.J. McCarthy

Holding J.J. McCarthy in Dynasty Leagues Will Require Patience
Harold Fannin Jr.

Does Harold Fannin Jr. Have Top-Three Upside in Dynasty Leagues?
Jaylen Waddle

the Top Receiver to Roster in Denver?
Josh Downs

Climbing Up the Dynasty Rankings with Bigger Role Ahead?
Jalen McMillan

Has Been 'Slightly Better' Than Teammate During OTAs
NBA

Warriors Prioritize Depth Around Returning Steve Kerr
Donovan Mitchell

Remains Cleveland's Top Priority
Adou Thiero

Remains a Lakers Development Project
NBA

76ers Hire Mike Gansey as President of Basketball Operations
NBA

Chicago Bulls Explore Kevin Young as Coaching Candidate
Kyrie Irving

Reports He's Nearing Full Strength in ACL Recovery
Lane Hutson

Posts a Power-Play Assist in Game 5 Loss
Cole Caufield

Nets a Power-Play Goal in Season-Ending Loss
Seth Jarvis

Closes Out East Finals With Multi-Point Game
Logan Stankoven

Notches Three Points in Big Game 5 Win
Taylor Hall

Racks Up Three Points in Series-Clinching Win
Frederik Andersen

Remains Stellar as Hurricanes Clinch Finals Berth
Jacob Gonzalez

is Heading to the Big Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Mitchell Robinson

Plans to Play in Game 1 After Finger Surgery
Ajay Mitchell

Ruled Out for Game 7
Jalen Williams

Unavailable in Decisive Game 7
NBA

Magic Finalizing Hire of Sean Sweeney as Head Coach
Eury Pérez

Eury Perez is Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Deiveson Figueiredo

Set For UFC Macau Main Event
MMA

Yadong Song Returns At UFC Macau
Alonzo Menifield

An Underdog At UFC Macau
Zhang Mingyang

Set For UFC Macau Co-Main Event
Tallison Teixeira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Sergei Pavlovich

A Favorite At UFC Macau
Cameron Smotherman

Looks To Bounce Back
Kai Asakura

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
CFB

Faizon Brandon In Position to Start Week 1
CFB

Dane Weber Commits to Cal
CFB

Joey McGuire Attempts to Add Texas to Schedule
CFB

Mike Leach on 2027 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
CFB

Maryland, Baylor Schedule Home-and-Home
CFB

Taron Dickens Decommits From North Carolina
Jalen Williams

Limited in Game 6 Return
Jared McCain

Provides Bench Spark in Game 6 Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Posts Lowest-Scoring Night of His MVP Season
De'Aaron Fox

Struggles From the Field Thursday
MLB

MLB Proposes Hard Salary Cap as Part of Next CBA
Kenley Jansen

Tigers Place Kenley Jansen on Injured List With Pelvic Inflammation
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Strain
MON

Lane Hutson Struggles in Game 4 Loss
CAR

Logan Stankoven Nets Eighth Postseason Goal
CAR

Sebastian Aho Pots Game-Winner on Power Play
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Tallies Two Helpers in Impressive Road Win
CAR

Shayne Gostisbehere Records Two Assists in Game 4 Win
CAR

Frederik Andersen Establishes Hurricanes New Postseason Shutout Record
Yordan Alvarez

Continues Homer Barrage With Two More Long Balls on Wednesday
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Makes History With Seven More Shutout Innings Against Padres
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Lifted From Wednesday's Game Early With Hamstring Strain
Kenley Jansen

Exits Relief Appearance on Wednesday With Groin Injury
Eury Pérez

Eury Perez Pulled Early on Wednesday With Hamstring Issue
CFB

Drew Mestemaker a Top Big 12 Quarterback Right Away?
PGA

Sungjae Im Remains Boom-or-Bust at Colonial
PGA

Michael Thorbjornsen Trending in Wrong Direction Entering Colonial
Russell Henley

a Top Option at Colonial
Harry Hall

Hoping Putter Carries Him at Colonial
Rickie Fowler

Looks to Regain Momentum at Colonial
Pierceson Coody

Looking to Stay Hot at Colonial
Martin Necas

Collects an Assist in Game 4 Loss to Golden Knights
Gabriel Landeskog

Scores Only Avalanche Goal in Season-Ending Loss
Carter Hart

Finishes Series-Clincher With 20 Saves
Dylan Coghlan

Continues Unlikely Success Story
Cole Smith

Scores Series-Clincher Tuesday Night
Mark Stone

Nets Another Goal as Golden Knights Finish Off Avalanche
Ludvig Aberg

Looking to Exchange Momentum for a Victory in Fort Worth
Stephan Jaeger

Trending Upward as PGA Heads to Fort Worth
Max Homa

Comes Off Awful Putting Performance at PGA Championship
Tony Finau

Faces Different Test at the Colonial
Robert MacIntyre

Seeks Better Beginning in Fort Worth
Tom Hoge

Ups and Downs Could Continue at Colonial
Brian Harman

Not Having the Best Golf Season in 2026
Austin Eckroat

Struggling Too Often Heading to Charles Schwab Challenge
Zach Bauchou

Tries to Keep Momentum Rolling at Colonial
Keegan Bradley

Looking to Rebound at Colonial
Claude Giroux

Planning to Return for 20th NHL Campaign
Carter Hart

Aiming for Sixth Consecutive Win Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Inks New One-Year Deal With Penguins
Ben Griffin

Looking to Repeat This Week at Colonial
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Player to Avoid at Charles Schwab Challenge
Hideki Matsuyama

Needs Solid Driving Week at Charles Schwab Challenge
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of Charles Schwab Challenge
Akshay Bhatia

Lacking Driving Prowess Needed at Colonial Country Club
CFB

DJ Lagway Looking to Rebound at Baylor
CFB

Josh Hoover Tasked With Leading Indiana Back to the Playoffs
CFB

Braylon Staley the Next 1,000-Yard Tennessee Receiver?
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Return Timeline Remains Unclear
Gage Jump

Athletics to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Gage Jump to Major Leagues
Tatsuya Imai

Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF