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Players to cut or drop in week 16 of the 2018 MLB season. Connor McEleney takes a look at overrated players and busts that should be waived in fantasy baseball.
Welcome to Week 16 of the Cut List. This week I’m taking a look at Eric Hosmer, Brandon Crawford, Marcell Ozuna, and Yangervis Solarte.
All of these guys have been viable standard league options at one point or another this year, but have recently hit cold streaks that have hampered their fantasy value. Sure, Eric Hosmer and Marcell Ozuna are bonafide fantasy studs, but Brandon Crawford and Yangervis Solarte aren’t too far behind them. I suggest cutting each of these guys in 10-team leagues, but I think they’re holds in deeper formats. Crawford is probably the safest cut, followed by Solarte, Hosmer, and Ozuna, in that order.
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Time to Move On
Eric Hosmer (1B, SD) - .147 BA, 5 runs, 0 HR, 8 RBI in last 30 days
Cut in 10-team leagues
Why you should cut him: Hosmer is mired in the second or third worst season of his career, and it’s getting harder to justify owning him in shallow formats. He’s the #22 first baseman on ESPN standard leagues with a .247 BA, 39 runs, 9 HR, and 39 RBI. He went homer-less over the last 30 days and he’s striking out at a career-high rate. Stash him in 12+ team leagues until he rights the ship.
Better 1B options: Greg Bird, C.J. Cron, Matt Adams
Brandon Crawford (SS, SF) - .200 BA, 12 runs, 2 HR, 7 RBI in last 30 days
Cut in 10-team leagues
Why you should cut him: Fresh off one of the worst seasons of his career, Crawford has turned his game around at the dish. A career-high line drive rate, hard contact rate, and OBP have helped Crawford maintain his status as one of the best players in the world. With all that being said, he’s cooled down immensely over the last 30 days, and it’s time to look for replacement options on your league’s waiver wire. Expect above-average production from him in the second half, but don’t waste your time on him in shallow ten-teamers.
Better SS option: Addison Russell
Marcell Ozuna (OF, STL) - .233 BA, 10 runs, 2 HR, 11 RBI in last 30 days
Cut in 10-team leagues
Why you should cut him: Ozuna is probably going to hit .300 in the second half now that I finally included him on the cut list, but hey, it’s time I highlight his underwhelming 2018 output. Sitting with a 92 wRC+ and .305 wOBA, Ozuna is in the middle of a potential bust season after hitting 37 home runs in 2017. My advice is simple: ride this slump out through the break and see where he’s at on July 22. This could very well be a second half surge waiting to happen.
Better OF options: Jesse Winker, Carlos Gonzalez
Yangervis Solarte (2B/3B, TOR) - .237 BA, 9 runs, 4 HR, 11 RBI in last 30 days
Cut in 10-team leagues
Why you should cut him: Solarte has long been one of the most underrated fantasy assets, but his production over the last 30 days doesn’t cut it in most leagues. Make no mistake, fellas, Solarte is a fantastic player when he’s on. Notice I only suggest cutting him in 10-team leagues. I think he’s worth holding in 12 and 14 teamers because of his general consistency.
Better 2B/3B options: Paul DeJong, Jose Peraza
Update on Last Week’s Cuts
Ian Kinsler (2B, LAA)
- 5-for-19 (.263), 0 runs, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 1 SB since July 8
- Nothing out of the ordinary here. Kinsler is painfully average and this production is only acceptable in deep formats.
Salvador Perez (C, KC)
- 5-for-18 (.277), 1 run, 1 HR, 5 RBI since July 8
- Perez finally showed signs of life last week, and it looks like he should be good to go for the second half of the season. Keep rolling him out if you still own him.
Yasiel Puig (OF, LAD)
- Placed on 10-day DL with a Grade 1 oblique strain on July 9
Cole Hamels (SP, TEX)
- 6.1 IP, 3 strikeouts, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 hits allowed at Baltimore on July 13
- Hamels’ upside is dwindling after every start. He’s down to 68% ownership on ESPN and only projects as an occasional streaming option for desperate managers.
