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

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

The Cut List (Week 12) - Time to Let Go?

June is more than half over, meaning the season is nearly half over. And, as usual, some players' tenures on your fantasy team should be all over. One thing we're adding this week is a brief overview of the forcefulness of each cut suggestion. A "strong" endorsement means the player can be cut in pretty much any format at the given league size. A "weak" endorsement means there could still be value here, but things are bad enough that you can justify the ax. Weak endorsements can be considered strong ones in the next size down; e.g., a weak 12-team cut is a strong 10-team cut. Also for the weak cases, the kind of leagues the player can most justifiably be cut in are identified.

Stats are through Friday, June 14. Remember these are mixed-league suggestions. Weekly reminders: Recommendations in one league size obviously apply to smaller leagues. You can also feel free to drop a shallower suggestion in a deeper league. Generally, however, the dividing line is there for a reason.

As usual, you can find ideas on how to replace your cut candidates at the Waiver Wire Pickup List.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and weekly lineup resources:

 

10-Team Cut Candidates

Yasiel Puig (OF, CIN)

Cut Endorsement: Weak. Easiest to cut in: points.

Even though Puig is only hitting .222/.264/.393, he has not been a complete roto embarrassment. It's not been good, but he does have 11 home runs, nine steals, and 57 combined R+RBI in playing 62 of 67 Reds games. Points leagues are another story, and he can probably be cut up to 12-teamers in those leagues. But he's given enough in roto to try and wait on better times. And it remains hard to believe there's no upside here: projections still believe in Puig for roughly 15 HR, 10 SB and between a .250-.270 average going forward.

That may not have sounded like an argument to cut, but if you're tired of Puig's act and not willing to wait for projections that may never materialize, you can let go of Yahoo's 306th-rated standard 5x5 player.

Joc Pederson (OF, LAD)

Cut Endorsement: Weak. Easiest to cut in: weekly lineup changes and/or standard BA.

Pederson's overall season line, despite a 1-for-27 stretch since June 3, remains a strong .238/.341/.577 with 18 home runs and 75 R+RBI. His main issue has always been, and continues to be, an inability to hit left-handed pitching: .167/.167/.208 in 24 PA this season and .180/.259/.309 in 349 career PA.

That 1-for-27 run has led to a few cuts already, but it's hard to think Pederson will never turn it around. In OBP or OPS leagues, he should be held, even with 10 teams. He's still a decent play in points as well. But in BA leagues, or weekly leagues where Pederson can miss several AB's if there's a run of left-handed starters or relievers, a 10-team cut becomes easier to suggest.

Zach Davies (SP, MIL)

Cut Endorsement: Strong.

With a 2.60 ERA? You bet. Although Davies has brought back assets like Michael Conforto, Will Smith, and Justin Smoak on the Yahoo trade market lately, the all-too-obvious downside was on display Friday when he allowed three runs with just two strikeouts in five innings to an anemic San Francisco Giants' offense at cavernous AT&T Park.

If Davies continues to be as lucky as he has, he can get wins playing for Milwaukee. But with a rather sad 15.2 K%, a whopping 4.89 xFIP, and an even worse 5.15 SIERA, it takes a lot of luck. As it is, Davies has given pretty much nothing in strikeouts and already has a mediocre WHIP, so he's just a wins-and-ERA guy. But take the ERA you got, not the one you're likely to have by August. If a cut seems off to you, try desperately to sell high, but you may not find takers.

 

12-Team Cut Candidates

Amed Rosario (SS, NYM)

Cut Endorsement: Strong.

Rosario still has his believers, but results remain amiss. He's added a bit of power this year, with eight home runs already after nine all of last year, but some steals have gone away, with six in 66 games in 2019 after 24 in 154 games last season. The slash line is nearly identical: .256/.295/.381 last season is .246/.289/.412 this season; it's .214/.257/.439 the past four weeks and .258/.302/.403 the past calendar year.

That's some consistent mediocrity as signs of development are essentially absent. He's Yahoo's 25th-rated shortstop-eligible player this season. Citi Field, a terrible park for hitting, doesn't help. Other than maybe in leagues with unlimited keepers at low inflation, Rosario can be let go.

Rougned Odor (2B, TEX)

Cut Endorsement: Strong.

Odor is almost assuredly gone already in 10 teams and shallower. The general description -- a power-speed middle infielder who continues to play almost every day and calls Texas home -- sounds like someone who could be of use in 12 teams.

The specific description, however, is a complete disaster: .182/.265/.345 with a 30% strikeout rate. Eight homers, seven steals, and 64 R+RBI make him somewhat Puig-like, but he's a worse version with a worse track record. Hence Odor's rate stat projections are uglier than Puig's: more like a .230's average instead of .260's, also with slightly fewer home runs and steals. Move on.

Pedro Strop (RP, CHC)

Cut Endorsement: Weak. Easiest to cut in: leagues where you're also the Kimbrel owner.

Strop went on the IL on May 8 after allowing three runs on May 6, and since returning on June 4 has allowed one run in 3 2/3 innings. One could easily blame the May 6 appearance on the injury, think everything is okay (his ERA is 2.70 without it), and hold until he officially loses the closer job. (Which may be even easier after save number eight Saturday.)

Because, naturally, this is less about Strop and more about the Craig Kimbrel signing. Even if the Cubs play situations with their new bullpen addition, it will cut into Strop's save opportunities. And you'd like better than the 3.86 xFIP/3.81 SIERA Strop has given if you were to bank on him retaining some save chances. Consider moving on now.

 

14+ Team Cut Candidates

Jesus Aguilar (1B, MIL)

Cut Endorsement: Strong.

Aguilar should be long-gone in 12-teamers, but the 35-homer 2018 campaign has remained a sign of hope for some, especially deeper than 12. He's only started 39 of Milwaukee's 69 games this season, but that includes 18 of 23 to start the year, so it's less than half since then. That might be okay in deeper leagues for someone hitting better than .197/.303/.306.

Projections aren't that pessimistic -- they rarely are -- but Aguilar needs the chance to rebound, which he's not getting (when he does start, he's now only batting seventh), and then the actual rebound. It's fine to let someone else wait up.

Ross Stripling (SP/RP, LAD)

Cut Endorsement: Strong.

Stripling has obvious talent but has not started a game since April 25. When the Dodgers gave Kenta Maeda a brief IL stint from May 17-26, Stripling was used out of the bullpen three times instead of making so much as a spot start.

And yet, his ownership rates suggest several people are still waiting on him to start again. But it may not happen at all this season. It feels like the way the Dodgers handle their pitchers, that he probably will. But it's not good that the Maeda IL trip was not an impetus.

Right now, Stripling is just a rarely used middle reliever; he has only pitched 12 2/3 innings in nearly two months of that role, with a 4.97 ERA and 13 strikeouts. If he does start again, he would probably need a readjustment period, which could get rough. Instead of keeping him around, he should be re-acquired or streamed if the Dodgers telegraph that he will start again at some point. And even if you miss out at that late point, it could just be a spot start.

Blake Parker (RP, MIN)

Cut Endorsement: Strong.

Perhaps a little late here, as Parker has earned all of one save since May 20. His ERA then stood at 1.10 and dropped to 1.04 after a perfect two-strikeout ninth inning with a seven-run lead on May 25. Then things fell apart: two runs on May 28, two on June 2 in a second straight appearance, three more on two homers while blowing a save on June 5.

He finally got that ninth save while protecting a three-run lead on June 7, walking two and striking out one. Then he sat another several days, and the three runs he allowed without getting an out on June 12 are pretty much just icing on the cake. Parker's ERA is now 4.37, the Twins have several relievers who can strike out more than 19.2% of batters faced, Taylor Rogers is up to seven saves. Bye-bye, Blake.

 

Last Week's Updates

Player Last Week This Week Reasoning
Joey Votto Cut in 10 Sell A mini-renaissance since May 14 is .330/.373/.468, .400 BABIP, 22-7 K-BB; maybe it's enough to find a taker
Brad Peacock Cut in 10 Sell Didn't collapse despite mediocre start against Brewers and gets Blue Jays Saturday; if that goes well find a trade for his sub-optimal pitch mix and peripherals
Robinson Cano Cut in 12 Cut in 10 Back on injured list, health a permanent question mark, not worth the stash
Jake Arrieta Cut in 12 Cut in 12 Control issues cropping up (9 BB in last 2 starts, 10 2/3 IP) on top of everything else
Maikel Franco Cut in 14 Cut in 14 Playing time and slumping issues continue
Kevin Gausman Cut in 14 Cut in 14 Pulled in 3rd inning in last start which bumped the ERA up despite two unearned runs; still lacks job security

More Fantasy Baseball Busts and Avoids




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cedric Tillman21 mins ago

Expected To Practice On Wednesday
Keon Coleman25 mins ago

Practicing In Full To Start Week 15 Preparation
Dylan Cease36 mins ago

Orioles Interested In Acquiring Dylan Cease
Breece Hall48 mins ago

"Struggling A Bit," Status For Week 15 Unclear
Luis Robert Jr.54 mins ago

Reds Interested In Luis Robert Jr.
Marcus Johansson2 hours ago

Records Season-High Three Points Versus Utah
Robert Thomas2 hours ago

Collects Three Points In Tuesday's Win
Mark Scheifele2 hours ago

Continues Home Success Against Bruins
Jonathan Marchessault2 hours ago

Pots Two Goals Versus Flames
Nathan MacKinnon2 hours ago

Mikko Rantanen Crush Penguins
Roman Josi2 hours ago

Suffers A Lower-Body Injury
Andrew Wiggins3 hours ago

On Track To Return On Wednesday
Fred VanVleet3 hours ago

Expected To Return On Wednesday
Alperen Sengün3 hours ago

Alperen Sengun Questionable For Wednesday
De'Andre Hunter3 hours ago

Likely To Feature Against Knicks
Bogdan Bogdanovic3 hours ago

In Danger Of Missing Another Game
Jalen Johnson3 hours ago

Carries A Questionable Tag
Josh Hart3 hours ago

Iffy For Wednesday's Cup Game
Jake Burger11 hours ago

Rangers Acquire Jake Burger From Marlins
Karl-Anthony Towns15 hours ago

Expected To Face Atlanta
Trae Young15 hours ago

Probable Again For Wednesday
P.J. Washington15 hours ago

Won't Suit Up Versus OKC
Naji Marshall16 hours ago

Returning On Tuesday Night
Isaac Guerendo16 hours ago

Misses Tuesday's Practice
Washington Nationals16 hours ago

Nationals Win MLB Draft Lottery
Nathan Eovaldi16 hours ago

Reunites With Rangers On Three-Year Deal
Andrés Giménez17 hours ago

Blue Jays Acquire Andres Gimenez From Guardians
Max Fried17 hours ago

Yankees Agree On Eight-Year, $218 Million Contract
Joey Daccord18 hours ago

Faces Panthers On Tuesday
Cole Sillinger19 hours ago

Available On Tuesday
Erik Cernak19 hours ago

Sits Out Tuesday's Game
Anthony Cirelli19 hours ago

Doubtful For Tuesday's Matchup
Jake Allen19 hours ago

Unavailable On Tuesday
David Pastrnak19 hours ago

Good To Go Tuesday
Max Domi19 hours ago

Ready To Rejoin Action Tuesday
Grayson Rodriguez21 hours ago

Will Be A "Full-Go" For Spring Training
Thairo Estrada21 hours ago

Signs One-Year Deal With Colorado
Max Fried22 hours ago

Nearing His Free-Agent Decision
Paul Goldschmidt22 hours ago

Tigers Showing Interest In Paul Goldschmidt
Carlos Correa22 hours ago

Twins Receiving Calls On Carlos Correa
Christian Walker22 hours ago

Yankees Making A Push For Christian Walker
Kyle Tucker22 hours ago

Cubs, Yankees Showing Interest In Kyle Tucker
George Pickens1 day ago

Has Outside Chance Of Playing In Week 15
Dallas Cowboys1 day ago

DeMarvion Overshown Expected To Need Knee Surgery
CeeDee Lamb1 day ago

Finds End Zone For First Time Since Week 8
Lonzo Ball1 day ago

Has Minutes Restriction Increased
Rico Dowdle1 day ago

Records Back-To-Back 100 Yard Rushing Games
Jaden Hardy1 day ago

Misses Second Straight Game
Naji Marshall1 day ago

Considered Questionable For Tuesday's Cup Action
Jaylin Williams1 day ago

Remains Out On Tuesday
Karl-Anthony Towns1 day ago

Returns With Winning Performance
Scottie Barnes1 day ago

X-Rays On Scottie Barnes' Ankle Negative
Taylor Hall1 day ago

Enjoys Multi-Point Outing Versus Rangers
Jason Zucker1 day ago

Amasses Three Points Against Red Wings
Andrew Copp1 day ago

Scores Twice In Monday's Win
Troy Terry1 day ago

Nets Two Goals In Losing Effort
Lane Hutson1 day ago

Sets New Franchise Record With Another Productive Outing
Jace Jung1 day ago

Undergoes Wrist Surgery, Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training
Patrik Laine1 day ago

Collects Two Points Versus Ducks
Joe Burrow1 day ago

Highly Productive In Week 14 Win
Chase Brown1 day ago

Remains Highly Productive As Receiver On MNF
Ja'Marr Chase1 day ago

Explodes For Monster Two-Touchdown Game
Jung Hoo Lee2 days ago

Won't Have Restrictions In Spring Training
Christian Yelich2 days ago

Should Be Ready For Spring Training
Brandon Woodruff2 days ago

Might Not Be Ready For Opening Day
Yordan Alvarez2 days ago

Astros Want To "Cut Back" On Yordan Alvarez's Time In The Outfield
Aaron Judge2 days ago

Likely Moving Back To Right Field In 2025
Jasson Domínguez2 days ago

Jasson Dominguez A Leading Candidate To Play Center Field In 2025
Dallas Cowboys2 days ago

DeMarvion Overshown Ruled Out On Monday Night With Knee Injury
Will Dissly2 days ago

Expected To Miss A Few Weeks
Kenneth Walker III2 days ago

Seahawks Unsure On Kenneth Walker III's Status
Immanuel Quickley2 days ago

To Get Additional Testing
Jameis Winston2 days ago

To Remain Browns Starter
Maxi Kleber2 days ago

Won't Play On Tuesday
P.J. Washington2 days ago

Could Miss Tuesday's Game
Khris Middleton2 days ago

Expected To Play On Tuesday
Drew Lock2 days ago

To Start In Week 15 If He's Healthy
Justin Herbert2 days ago

Expects To Be Fine
Tom Wilson2 days ago

Misses Monday's Practice
David Pastrnak2 days ago

Battling An Upper-Body Injury
Detroit Lions2 days ago

Aidan Hutchinson Could Be Ready For NFC Championship
Aaron Rodgers2 days ago

Has Played With Hamstring, Knee, Ankle Injuries This Year
Alexandre Pantoja2 days ago

Gets Second-Round Win At UFC 310
George Pickens2 days ago

Likely To Miss Week 15
Kai Asakura2 days ago

Submitted At UFC 310
Isaac Guerendo2 days ago

Day-To-Day With Foot Sprain
Alexander Volkov2 days ago

Takes Split-Decision Loss
Ciryl Gane2 days ago

Edges Out Split Decision At UFC 310
MMA2 days ago

Doo Ho Choi Scores TKO Win At UFC 310
Nate Landwehr3 days ago

Gets TKO'd At UFC 310
Kron Gracie3 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC 310
Bryce Mitchell3 days ago

Scores Knockout Win At UFC 310
Ian Machado Garry3 days ago

Suffers First Defeat At UFC 310
Shavkat Rakhmonov3 days ago

Remains Undefeated After UFC 310
Kai Asakura5 days ago

Competes For UFC Flyweight Title
Alexandre Pantoja5 days ago

Set For Third Title Defense At UFC 310
Ciryl Gane5 days ago

Set For Heavyweight Clash
Alexander Volkov5 days ago

Looks For His Fifth Win In A Row
MMA5 days ago

Doo Ho Choi An Underdog At UFC 310
Kron Gracie6 days ago

Ends Layoff At UFC 310
Bryce Mitchell6 days ago

A Massive Favorite At UFC 310
Nate Landwehr6 days ago

Opens Up UFC 310 Main Card
Ian Machado Garry6 days ago

In A No. 1 Contender Fight At UFC 310
Shavkat Rakhmonov6 days ago

A Big Favorite At UFC 310

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 

Video: Week 15 Must-Start Defense (D/ST) Streamers - 2024 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Analysis

With most leagues headed into the fantasy football playoffs, we're bringing the heat for Week 15! Check out our top 2024 fantasy football must-start Defenses (D/ST) and be prepared to dominate your playoff matchups! LaQuan Jones discusses his top "Must Start" Defense (D/ST) streamers that have the potential to be game-changers in Week 15, as […]


Von Miller Buffalo Bills Defense - Fantasy Football DST, Defense Streamers, Waiver Wire IDP

Top Fantasy Football Playoffs D/ST Rankings (Weeks 15, 16, 17) - Defense Streamers and Starts

Welcome RotoBallers to our fantasy football playoffs D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 15, 16, and 17. The fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner, and now is the perfect time to line up your fantasy defenses for the rest of the year. Getting ahead of your league mates and picking up defenses that […]


Jauan Jennings - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Targets - Buy/Sell For Week 15 Including Davante Adams, T.J. Hockenson, Jauan Jennings, Isiah Pacheco

Well, RotoBallers, we made it. The fantasy playoffs are officially here. Because we're talking dynasty, you of course don't need to have made the playoffs to take something away from this column, but congratulations if you did! Even if you have a bye in Week 15, there are plenty of reasons to stay active and […]


Tua Tagovailoa - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 15 Include Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, Kyren Williams, Terry McLaurin, more

The fantasy playoffs are finally here for leagues that use single elimination. The fun is just beginning as we finally get to see all our hard work through. As such, we need to focus on the best matchups this week. Any edge matters in the fantasy playoffs because any team can get hot at the […]


George Pickens - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL injury News

Fantasy Football WR Injury Reports: Week 15 Updates For George Pickens, Chris Olave, Rashod Bateman, Cedric Tillman

Welcome to the fantasy football playoffs! A healthy roster is the best roster, so let's hope your wide receivers are ready to play. To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page. Also, download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile […]


Adam Thielen - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL DFS Picks

Fantasy Football WR Sleepers: Smash Spots for Week 15 Include Calvin Ridley, Adam Thielen, Khalil Shakir, Jakobi Meyers

Week 15, here we come. Whether this is the opening week of your fantasy playoffs, your last week of the regular season, or a bye week, we’ve made it to the end of the fantasy season.  Last week, we nailed our WR calls, smashing Jauan Jennings (seven receptions, 92 yards, two TDs) and Darnell Mooney […]


Bo Nix - Fantasy Football Rankings, QB, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

Fantasy Football Matchups to Target, Avoid (Week 15) - Offensive Line Champs and Chumps

The fantasy playoffs are finally here. Making the fantasy playoffs is a huge achievement that requires good drafting, diligent waiver wire moves, and strong matchup analysis. If your team is in the playoffs, the hard part is just getting started. Winning a fantasy championship requires shooting for upside each week and exploiting every available matchup […]


Jordan Addison - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy Football Risers and Fallers - Week 15

As Adam says, Week 14 of the 2024 season is in the books. That means another week of cold, hard data to analyze. We’ll try not to overreact but instead, use logic and reasoning as the foundation for our decision-making in the weeks ahead. I'm Joe Nicely and I'll be pinch-hitting for the great Adam […]


Chase Brown - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

Rest-of-Season Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 15 Updates for Top 200 (2024)

Many of you are planning for the fantasy football playoffs, so we must deliver an updated rest-of-season rankings sheet! While many of you are only concerned with the current week, one should also consider all remaining games. That's what we're here to provide with our Week 15 fantasy football half-PPR rankings for the rest of […]


Puka Nacua - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Rams vs. 49ers TNF Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford, Isaac Guerendo, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings

The 2024 fantasy football playoffs are officially upon us and they kick off with the Los Angeles Rams visiting the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Both teams are coming off dominant offensive performances (Rams scored 44 points in Week 14, 49ers scored 38), and this matchup could not be more important for NFL […]


Zach Charbonnet - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL DFS and Betting Picks

Fact or Fiction: Fantasy Football Outlooks for Zach Charbonnet, Isaac Guerendo, Jalen McMillan, Tim Patrick, Juwan Johnson

Josh Allen scored 51.9 fantasy points in Week 14. It was a huge game for Allen and was a surprising result because of just how many points were scored, but it's not like we didn't know Allen was an elite player. What was more surprising? The top two fantasy running backs this week were Zach […]


Bucky Irving - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy Football Injury Reports For NFL RBs: Week 15 Updates for Kenneth Walker III, Isaac Guerendo, Bucky Irving, Jonathon Brooks

Below is our fantasy football injuries report for running backs in Week 15, as of December 11. The injury statuses for various NFL running backs are up in the air for Week 15, including Kenneth Walker III, Isaac Guerendo, Bucky Irving, and Jonathon Brooks. As the fantasy football season continues, every decision, transaction, and lineup […]


Week 15 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football (2024) - Defense Positional Rankings for LB, DL, DB

As the fantasy playoffs start in full, now is a time to educate those too young to remember a scoring system called “rotisserie." It's a system still used in fantasy baseball and basketball, but some may not know it was once applied to fantasy football. Today, it appears to be a relic largely used in […]