👉 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

Tyjae Spears

has Limited Long-Term Upside in Dynasty Formats
Jaylen Wright

a Buy-Low Candidate as a Handcuff?
Ollie Gordon II

Dynasty Value Takes a Hit After Teammate's Extension
Ryan Johnson

Takes Over as Canucks GM, Sedins Promoted to Co-Presidents
Drew Helleson

Won't Play Thursday
Radko Gudas

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Jeremy Lauzon

Remains Out Thursday
Mark Stone

Misses Third Consecutive Game
EDM

Kris Knoblauch Fired as Oilers Head Coach
Micah Parsons

Expected to Miss the Early Part of the Season
Colby Parkinson

a Clear Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Entering 2026
Omarion Hampton

Poised for Year 2 Breakout in Los Angeles
Blake Corum

Dynasty Stock Rising After Encouraging 2025 Campaign
Jaxson Dart

Does Jaxson Dart Carry High-End Dynasty QB1 Upside?
David Montgomery

Dynasty Stock Rising Following Move to Houston
Chris Godwin Jr.

Can Chris Godwin Jr. Re-Establish His Dynasty Value in 2026?
Malik Willis

Not Set Up for Immediate Success in Miami
Terrance Ferguson

has Promising Receiving Skills in Crowded TE Room in L.A.
Brenton Strange

Is Brenton Strange a Top-15 Dynasty Tight End?
T.J. Watt

Steelers Ready to Move on From T.J. Watt?
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Must Make Gains as Pass-Catcher to Take the Next Step
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
Kaytron Allen

Could Kaytron Allen Take on a Big Role Right Away?
Demond Claiborne

Has Long-Term Appeal in Minnesota
Byron Buxton

Scratched on Thursday With Hip Soreness
Cal Raleigh

Heading to Injured List With Oblique Strain
Adam Randall

to Contribute as a Pass-Catcher Right Away?
Francisco Alvarez

has Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Eight Weeks
Nicholas Singleton

Could Contribute Right Away
Bryce Lance

a Perfect Fit in New Orleans?
Mike Washington Jr.

Can Mike Washington Jr. Force a Backfield Split in Vegas?
Paul Reed

Makes Big Impact Off the Bench Wednesday
Daniss Jenkins

Contributes 19 Points As Starter
Cade Cunningham

Tallies 39 Points in Losing Effort
Max Strus

Notches 20 Points With Six Triples
Evan Mobley

Close to Triple-Double Wednesday
Jarrett Allen

Records Double-Double in Game 5 Win
James Harden

Leads the Way for Cavaliers in Game 5 Victory
Quinn Hughes

Finishes Postseason With 15 Points
Matt Boldy

Posts Two Assists in Season-Ending Loss
Scott Wedgewood

Perfect in Relief Effort
Martin Necas

Records Another Multi-Point Game
Brett Kulak

Sends Avalanche Into Conference Finals
Brayden McNabb

Suspended for One Game
Cal Raleigh

Exits With Apparent Side Injury on Wednesday Night
Juan Soto

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Juan Soto's Ankle
Jacob Misiorowski

Pulled Early With Possible Leg Injury
Juan Soto

Exits Wednesday's Game Early with Ankle Injury
Kevin Huerter

is Cleared to Return for Game 5
Caris LeVert

is Available for Game 5 on Wednesday
Duncan Robinson

is Out for Game 5
Keegan Murray

Undergoes Ankle Procedure
Josh Giddey

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Pete Fairbanks

Returns From Injured List
Christian Yelich

Out With Back Tightness on Wednesday Night
Nathan MacKinnon

Chasing History Wednesday
Ryan Poehling

Won't Be an Option for Game 6
Sam Malinski

Set to Miss Second Straight Game
Artturi Lehkonen

Unlikely to Play Wednesday
Matthew Schaefer

Wins Calder Trophy
TOR

Maple Leafs Fire Head Coach Craig Berube
Robby Snelling

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Elbow Sprain
Francisco Alvarez

Mets Place Francisco Alvarez on Injured List With Torn Meniscus
Max Fried

Dealing With Left Elbow Posterior Soreness
CFB

NFL Veteran Tom Moore Joins Iowa Coaching Staff
CFB

Can Cam Cook Dominate in Return to Big 12?
CFB

ACC, Big 12 Support 24-Team College Football Playoff
CFB

Anthony Colandrea Looking to Elevate Nebraska Back to National Contention
CFB

Kwazi Gilmer Set for Big Impact at Nebraska
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of PGA Championship Despite Concerning Form
J.J. Spaun

Trending Up Ahead of PGA Championship
Adam Scott

Riding Strong Form Into PGA Championship
Patrick Reed

Looking to Make Another Run at PGA Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Looks to Build on Strong Finish at Truist Championship
Sam Burns

Must Keep Ball in Play at PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Complete Career Grand Slam at Aronimink
Brandt Snedeker

Not the Best Option for the PGA Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at PGA Championship
Ayo Dosunmu

Has Busy Night in Game 5
Maverick McNealy

Seeking Better Start in Philadelphia
Harry Hall

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Aronimink
Jaden McDaniels

Notches 17 Points in Game 5 Loss
Hideki Matsuyama

Attempts to Improve Over 2025 PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Defend PGA Championship at Aronimink
Julius Randle

Posts a Double-Double in Losing Effort
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Keep Momentum Rolling in Philadelphia
Anthony Edwards

Held to 20 Points in Game 5 Loss
Ben Griffin

Attempting to Bounce Back After Truist Championship
CFB

Transfer Defensive Lineman Devarrick Woods Commits to Clemson
Keldon Johnson

Comes Alive in Game 5 Against Timberwolves
Harris English

Will Need His Putter to Thrive at Aronimink
Stephon Castle

Makes All-Around Impact in Game 5
Victor Wembanyama

Leads Spurs to Big Win in Game 5
Akshay Bhatia

Creative Flair Could Show Itself in Philadelphia
Keegan Bradley

Knows the Aronimink Golf Club Well
Mason McTavish

Delivers Two Assists Tuesday Night
Pavel Dorofeyev

Pots Two Goals in Vital Game 5 Win
Josh Doan

Records Two Assists in Game 4 Victory
Si Woo Kim

Struggles at Truist Championship
Gary Woodland

Can Continue Incredible 2026 Season at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele

In Excellent Form Heading to PGA Championship
Brandon Nimmo

Leaves Game on Tuesday with Apparent Ankle Injury
Philadelphia 76ers

76ers Part Ways With Daryl Morey
Kevin Huerter

Iffy for Game 5 Against Cavaliers
Jacob Wilson

A's Place Jacob Wilson on Injured List With Shoulder Subluxation
Christian Yelich

Brewers Reinstate Christian Yelich From Injured List
CFB

Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
CFB

Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
CFB

Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
A.J. Ewing

Mets to Call Up Top Prospect A.J. Ewing
Mookie Betts

is Officially Back on Monday
Nathan Eovaldi

Scratched From Monday's Start With Side Tightness
Henry Bolte

Athletics to Promote Top Outfield Prospect Henry Bolte to Major Leagues
Khamzat Chimaev

Suffers his First Loss
Sean Strickland

Recaptures Middleweight Title
Tatsuro Taira

Suffers Fifth-Round TKO Loss
Joshua Van

Defends Flyweight Title
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Drops Decision
Alexander Volkov

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Shane Van Gisbergen

Dominates Watkins Glen for First Win of 2026
Michael McDowell

Finishes Second for Best Run of the Year At Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Scores New Career-Best Finish of Third at Watkins Glen
Tyler Reddick

Continues His Strong Season With Fifth-Place Run at Watkins Glen
Austin Dillon

Earns his First Top-10 Finish of 2026 at Watkins Glen
Mookie Betts

Dodgers Expect Mookie Betts to Return on Monday
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Sustains Gunshot Wound, in Stable Condition
Connor Zilisch

Will Start Fifth in his First Watkins Glen Cup Series Race
Tyler Reddick

Is A Top DFS Option for Watkins Glen Lineups
Christopher Bell

Is Likely to Bounce Back This Week at Watkins Glen
Carlos Rodón

Carlos Rodon Activated for Season Debut on Sunday
William Byron

Is William Byron Playable in DFS Lineups at Watkins Glen?
Kyle Larson

May have A Positive Day at Watkins Glen
Chase Briscoe

May Compete for A Top-10 Finish at Watkins Glen
NASCAR

A.J. Allmendinger May have Another Solid Outing at Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Watkins Glen?
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain Worth Rostering for Watkins Glen Lineups?
Austin Cindric

Could Austin Cindric be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Watkins Glen?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen the Heavy Favorite at Watkins Glen
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott a No-Brainer DFS Pick at Watkins Glen?
Chris Buescher

Qualifies 14th at Watkins Glen
Ryan Blaney

Has Upside at Watkins Glen After Signing Contract Extension
Michael McDowell

Still Searching for First Top-Five Finish at Watkins Glen
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Too Aggressive for Road-Course Racing?
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF