🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% 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

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

The Cut List (Week 21): Players To Consider Cutting Bait On

There are only six weeks left in the regular season, meaning the playoffs are either starting or only a couple of weeks away. Needless to say, it's no time to hold onto guys out of sentimental value.

And with that, if you have someone who is really becoming a waste of roster space, it's time to get rid of him. The longer you hang on, the lower your chances are of making the playoffs and winning your leagues. In that spirit, I'm doing away with the Reverse Jinx section just to stress the urgency of playoff time. Let's take a look at who can be cut.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

 

Week 21 Players to Consider Cutting

1) Vince Velasquez (PHI, SP)

Droppable in All Redraft Leagues

The man we call "VV" has been getting destroyed lately. It's a far cry from his start to the season where he was unhittable. Over the last three starts he's been awful. The strikeouts are still there - but at what cost? He's given up eight homers and 20 earned runs in that span. I think it's time to move on in redraft leagues because he is a prime shutdown candidate given his previous season's innings total.

2) Aaron Judge (NYY, OF)

Droppable in Shallow Redraft Leagues

It's tough to judge Judge on such a small sample size, but now is not the time for blind patience. It's worth noting that the big right fielder has struggled at first at each level before eventually busting out. That trend appeared to be over when he made a big splash in his first at-bat. However, it looks like pitchers are starting to adjust to him a bit. The closest comparison I can think of is a Pedro Cerrano style of player. Yes, I try to work Major League references in as much as possible. My point is that I think off-speed pitches will give Judge a lot of issues. Obviously hang on in dynasties or if you're desperate for power, but he might not contribute that much ROS.

3) Steven Matz (NYM, SP)

Droppable in Shallow Redraft Leagues

This season has really just been a disaster for the Mets. Pitching was supposed to be their bedrock, but it's eroded a bit thanks to injuries. Steven Matz hit the DL retroactive to August 14, so he'd be eligible to return August 30th. However, this is far from a lock. Shoulder issues are tricky, and if we're being honest here - the Mets don't look like they are going to make the playoffs. Those factors could lead to the Mets deciding to cut their losses and prepare for next season. Normally I would be a little more patient here, as he was pitching very well until the injury. But it's fantasy playoffs time, and if there's someone out there who can help you now - make the move.

More Options (Redraft Leagues): Michael Brantley, Homer Bailey, Scott Kazmir, Joe Ross, Tyler Austin, Marcus Semien, Zach Davies

 

Hot Seat - Sending Warning Signals?

So these are some guys you shouldn't cut just yet, but who may be sending out warning signals (either obvious slumps, or more under-the-radar concerns):

1) Miguel Sano (MIN, 3B/OF)

After bursting onto the scene last season, Sano has had a fairly disappointing 2016 season. He's good for power, but a lot of his bombs don't give you much value. His average sits at a pedestrian .241 and he only has 50 RBI on the season. Not only that but he's been banged up for a decent portion of the season. The power upside makes him worth hanging onto, but it's getting late early and I wouldn't blame anyone for ditching him for a hot waiver pickup. Being 0-for-16 in as many AB doesn't help his case right now either.

2) Max Kepler (MIN, OF)

I'm going for a Twin killing here. Listen, I loved this guy when he was on fire and hitting bombs with runners on base. That said, he's cooled off over the last two weeks. Kepler has no homers, and only four RBI during that time. He could very well get hot again and make us all sorry for doubting him. The truth is though, his pace before was a bit unsustainable and his team frankly isn't that good. So while I'm not saying to ditch him just yet, he needs to show fantasy owners something ASAP to justify keeping him.

 

Graveyard - Previously Disposed Of

Jeff Samardzija, James Shields, Francisco Liriano, Lucas Duda, Matt Harvey, Joe Panik, Trevor Rosenthal, Travis Shaw, Jhonny Peralta, Trayce Thompson, CC Sabathia, Steven Moya, Tyler GlasnowDanny Espinosa, Will Harris, Brad Ziegler, Huston Street, Steve Cishek, Jonathan Papelbon, Hector Rondon, Tyler Clippard, Jeremy Jeffress, Taijuan Walker, Sonny Gray, Jason Heyward, Trevor Story, Michael Saunders, Nick Castellanos, Jurickson Profar, Aaron Nola, Jimmy Nelson, Danny ValenciaGiancarlo Stanton, Luis Severino

 

Zombies - Resurrected and Living Well

Lorenzo Cain (KC, OF)

The last reverse jinx of the season worked! LoCain has been playing insane baseball lately. Okay maybe not insane but hey at least that rhymed right? Seriously though, Cain has hit a little over .500 since August 14th, with eight RBI in that span, and six runs scored. It looks like his injury is behind him and hopefully he can help those who have stuck with him win a fantasy title.

 

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

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

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Moussa Cisse

Cleared to Play Monday
Daniel Gafford

Won't Play Against Nets
P.J. Washington

to Miss One More Week
Baylor Scheierman

Makes First Start of Season
Brandon Ingram

Available Monday
Paul George

Good to Go Monday
Joel Embiid

Active on Monday
Sam Hauser

Cleared for Monday
Jaylen Brown

Won't Play Monday
Egor Demin

Inactive Monday
Moussa Cisse

Upgraded to Probable on Monday
Ziaire Williams

Misses Second Straight Game
Michael Porter Jr.

Returns to Nets Lineup
Cam Thomas

Won't Play Monday
Anthony Edwards

Sidelined For Tuesday
RJ Barrett

Remains Out Monday
Ja'Kobe Walter

Unavailable Monday
Kyle Tucker

Mets Meet With Kyle Tucker
Andrew Nembhard

Will Play Monday
Dalton Kincaid

"Should be Fine" for Divisional Round
Dean Wade

Sidelined on Monday
Ace Bailey

Good to Go Monday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Available Versus Cavaliers
Conor Garland

Returns From Five-Game Absence
Kiefer Sherwood

Out Monday, Could Miss Several Weeks
Marco Rossi

to Miss 2-3 More Weeks
Louis Crevier

Back for Blackhawks Monday
Jordan Eberle

Available Against Rangers
Joel Eriksson Ek

Out Monday
Brad Marchand

Misses Third Straight Game
Jamie Benn

Returns to Action Monday
Brooks Koepka

Officially Returning To PGA Tour
Tucker Kraft

Hopes to be Ready for Week 1 of Next Season
CFB

Georgia Lands Kentucky Transfer Dante Dowdell
Matthew Stafford

has "Little Sprain," Should be "Good to Go"
CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Sign with LSU
Green Bay Packers

Packers Expected to Work Out New Deal With Matt LaFleur in the "Coming Days"
CFB

Dylan Raiola Commits to Oregon
CFB

Isaiah Horton Landing with Texas A&M
Jet Greaves

Beats Mammoth With 25 Saves
Roman Josi

Ends Dry Spell With Three-Point Effort
Joonas Korpisalo

Shuts Door on Penguins
Jack Hughes

Has Two Helpers in Losing Effort
Tomas Hertl

Matches Vegas Record With Five Points
Justin Sourdif

Exits With Injury Versus Predators
Denton Mateychuk

Sustains Upper-Body Injury Sunday
George Kittle

Suffers Torn Achilles on Sunday
Omarion Hampton

Active for Wild-Card Round Against Patriots
George Kittle

Ruled Out After Non-Contact Achilles Injury
Cole Perfetti

Contributes Two Assists in Sunday's Win
Carl Grundstrom

Misses Sunday's Practice
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Request Interview With Ejiro Evero
Travis Konecny

Hurt at Sunday's Practice
Thatcher Demko

Lands on Injured Reserve
Colin Miller

Injured Versus Devils
Bryan Rust

Remains Out Sunday
Los Angeles Rams

Mike LaFleur to Interview With Raiders and Cardinals
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Open to Re-Signing Aaron Rodgers?
Matthew Stafford

X-Rays Come Back Negative
MacKenzie Gore

Yankees Pursuing Trade for MacKenzie Gore
Alex Bregman

Cubs Sign Alex Bregman to Five-Year, $175 Millon Contract
Freddie Freeman

Withdraws from World Baseball Classic
Max Kepler

Receives 80-Game PED Suspension
CFB

Cam Coleman Visiting Alabama on Friday
Omarion Hampton

Expects to Play Sunday Night
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Enters Transfer Portal, Trending to Land at Florida
CFB

NCAA Denies Trinidad Chambliss a Sixth Year of Eligibility
Omarion Hampton

Questionable for Wild-Card Weekend
Kyle Tucker

Mets Remain in Mix for Kyle Tucker
Ketel Marte

Will Remain With Diamondbacks
Rashee Rice

to be Reviewed Under League's Conduct Policy
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
New York Giants

Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
CFB

Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee

RANKINGS

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