👉 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


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

The Cut List (Week 23): Players To Consider Cutting Bait On

It's playoff time folks! If you've made it this far congratulations. Whether you're in the winners' bracket or just playing for pride, it's time to make some tough decisions to end your seasons on a high note.

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 the playoffs. 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 23 Players to Consider Cutting

1) Marcell Ozuna (MIA, OF)

Droppable in Most Redraft Leagues

Ozuna has likely buoyed many teams to the playoffs with his long-awaited breakout season. The 22 homers are nice, but a wrist injury has kept him out for multiple games and he won't return until Friday at the earliest. That's a long time to be missing production from one of your power contributors. Worst of all, wrist injuries are tricky, just ask Mark Teixeira. Now is not a bad time to jump ship.

2) Billy Hamilton (CIN, OF)

Droppable in 12 Team Redraft Leagues

The speed demon has done just what most owners would expect: he ran. The average has even been better than expected at .260. However, it looks like BHam is going to miss some time with a strained oblique, an injury which sidelined Matt Carpenter for a few weeks. No timetable has been set yet, but it appears as though it may end his fantasy relevance in 2016. Jose Peraza would be a good add at this point though.

3) Joe Musgrove (HOU, SP)

Droppable in Most Redraft Leagues

I was so psyched to have this guy on my team at one point given his debut. He kept the Rangers and Toronto (twice) under control and it looked like he could be relevant down the stretch. Three of his last four starts since then have not gone well at all though, and it looks like he still has some things to work out as the league's hitters have adjusted to him. He's safe to drop in redrafts.

More Options (Redraft Leagues): Max Kepler, Reynaldo Lopez, Josh Bell, Neil Walker, Matt Shoemaker, Odubel Herrera, Brandon Moss, Matt Duffy, Julio Urias, Corey Dickerson, Fernando Salas

 

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) Dee Gordon (MIA, 2B)

Now that he's off the juice, Gordon has not looked great since returning from suspension. He has one RBI, and no steals over the last two weeks and the average is way down. The sunken cost fallacy, and the fact that he should still be a source of steals will keep many from dropping, but honestly the playoffs (especially in redrafts) are not a time to be too patient.

2) Hernan Perez (MIL, 2B/3B/OF)

Perez has been a nice, not to mention surprising, source of power and speed this season. However, one had to be wondering when the magic would wear off. Over the last nine games he hasn't been producing much and the Brewers also have a weird playing time situation. They're going to be rotating Domingo Santana, Keon Broxton and others around, so there may be some random off days for Perez. It might not be time to totally move on, but if there's a better alternative, go for it.

 

Graveyard - Previously Disposed Of

Jonathan Papelbon, Hector Rondon, Jeremy Jeffress, Taijuan Walker, Sonny Gray, Jason Heyward, Trevor Story, Michael Saunders, Nick Castellanos, Jurickson Profar, Aaron Nola, Jimmy Nelson, Danny Valencia, Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, Eduardo Nunez, Gerrit Cole

 

Zombies - Resurrected and Living Well

Yangervis Solarte (SD, 1B/2B/3B)

I may have spoken too soon on "Scurvy." Solarte has a six-game hitting streak going on and has two homers with five RBI over this span. With Wil Myers struggling, Solarte is the main source of offense in San Diego. The versatility makes him a good player to round out your playoff roster.

 

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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Malik Willis

Gets Three New Receivers in the Draft
Antonio Williams

to See Starting Role on Day 1 in Weak Wide Receiver Room?
Terrance Ferguson

No Longer the Unquestioned Future TE1 in Los Angeles?
Brenton Strange

Does Brenton Strange Still Need to Prove Himself in Jacksonville?
KC Concepcion

Already Facing Competition for Targets in Cleveland
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Remains the Top Option in Washington Backfield?
MLB

Red Sox Fire Manager Alex Cora and Other Coaches
A.J. Lawson

Questionable for Sunday Due to Back Spasms
Kevin Huerter

Injures Left Hip Saturday
Green Bay Packers

Packers Take Kicker Trey Smack with Pick No. 216
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Iffy for Sunday
Victor Wembanyama

Still Questionable on Injury Report
Denver Broncos

Broncos Select Dallen Bentley with 256th Pick
Kevin Durant

Uncertain for Sunday's Action
Austin Reaves

Listed as Questionable for Sunday's Game 4
Aaron Gordon

Active on Saturday
Indianapolis Colts

Colts Select Deion Burks with Pick No. 254
Joel Embiid

Remains Doubtful Ahead of Game 4
New England Patriots

Patriots Select Jam Miller with 245th Pick
Indianapolis Colts

Colts Select Seth McGowan with Pick No. 237
New England Patriots

Patriots Take Quarterback Behren Morton with Pick No. 234
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs Draft Garrett Nussmeier With 249th Overall Pick
Cleveland Browns

Browns Draft Carsen Ryan in the Seventh Round
Tennessee Titans

Titans Select Jaren Kanak with Pick No. 225
Washington Commanders

Commanders Take Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis with Pick No. 223
Houston Texans

Texans Select Lewis Bond with Pick No. 204
Pittsburgh Steelers

Navy's Eli Heidenreich to the Steelers at No. 230 Overall
Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars Double Dip at Wide Receiver with C.J. Williams at Pick No. 203
Josh Manson

Not Expected to Play Sunday
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Select CJ Daniels with 197th Pick
Mason Lohrei

Set to Miss Game 4 as Healthy Scratch
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Select Jack Endries at No. 221 Overall
Emil Andrae

Won't Play Saturday
Arturs Silovs

Starting Game 4 Against Flyers
Dan Vladar

Cleared for Game 4
Mats Zuccarello

Remains Out Saturday
Nikolaj Ehlers

Dealing With Lower-Body Injury
Steven Kwan

Scratched With Neck Stiffness
Trey Yesavage

Returning From Injured List on Tuesday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Heading to the Injured List With Oblique Strain
Kirby Dach

Battles and Scores Two Points in Friday Triumph
Connor McDavid

Delivers Mixed-Bag Performance Friday
MLB

Saturday's Mets-Rockies Game Postponed Due to Weather
Karel Vejmelka

Saves Utah With Huge Effort Friday
Lane Hutson

Scores Crucial Overtime Goal in Montreal Win
Lawson Crouse

Cashes in With Two Goals for Utah
Mikael Granlund

Serves Up Trio of Assists in Anaheim Big Win
Giancarlo Stanton

Exits With Leg Tightness on Friday
Isaiah Joe

Likely to Miss Game 3 Against Suns
Peyton Watson

to Remain Sidelined Saturday
Aaron Gordon

Questionable for Saturday's Game 4
Jordan Goodwin

on Track to Return Saturday
Grayson Allen

Listed as Questionable for Saturday
Mark Williams

Won't Play Saturday
Victor Wembanyama

Will Miss Game 3 Against Trail Blazers
Tari Eason

Reed Sheppard Move into Starting Five on Friday
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Wins Most Improved Player Award
Immanuel Quickley

to Miss Rest of First-Round Series
Kevin Durant

is Ruled Out for Game 3 on Friday
Joel Embiid

Officially Ruled Out for Game 3
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Scratched on Friday With Mid-Back Pain
Troy Terry

Available for Game 3 Against Oilers
Radko Gudas

Misses Second Straight Game Friday
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Unavailable Friday
Dan Vladar

Considered a Game-Time Call for Saturday
Jake Sanderson

Ruled Out for Game 4 Due to Concussion
Yakov Trenin

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Stars
Mats Zuccarello

a Game-Time Decision Saturday
Jackson Holliday

Receives Positive Test Results, Will be Shut Down for a Week
Jeff Hoffman

Out as Blue Jays Closer
Youssef Zalal

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Main Event
Aljamain Sterling

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Co-Main Event
Norma Dumont

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Alexander Hernandez

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 116
Rafa Garcia

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Set For His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jaden McDaniels

Records Double-Double in Game 3
Jordan Kyrou

Recovering From Minor Knee Procedure
Francisco Lindor

Expected to Miss "Significant Time"
Francisco Lindor

Mets Officially Place Francisco Lindor on Injured List With Calf Strain
Michael Harris II

Removed Early With Quad Tightness
Francisco Lindor

Likely Headed to the Injured List
Michael Harris II

Continues to Heat Up With Two-Homer Game on Wednesday
Francisco Lindor

Leaves Wednesday's Game Early With Calf Tightness
JR Ritchie

Earns Promotion, Will Make MLB Debut on Thursday
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Go on Injured List With Flexor Strain
Maikel Garcia

Leaves Early on Wednesday With Elbow Soreness
Roman Anthony

Day-to-Day With Sore Back
Juan Soto

Officially Back in Mets Lineup on Wednesday
J.T. Realmuto

Phillies Place J.T. Realmuto on Injured List With Back Injury
CFB

Beau Pribula Leading Virginia Quarterback Competition
Marco Penge

Trending Down Entering Zurich Classic
Sahith Theegala

Eyes Another Strong Week at Zurich Classic
Brooks Koepka

Shane Lowry Teams Up with Brooks Koepka at Zurich Classic
Si Woo Kim

Adds Another Strong Finish at RBC Heritage
Luke Clanton

Hoping to Find Form in New Orleans
Scottie Scheffler

is Starting to Hit His Stride
Brooks Koepka

Looking for Progress in PGA Return With Partner at Zurich Classic
Matt Fitzpatrick

Looks to Share Recent Form at Zurich Classic
CFB

Ashton Daniels Named Florida State's Starting Quarterback
Tyler Reddick

Earns His Fifth Win of the 2026 Season at Kansas
Kyle Larson

Finishes as the Runner-Up at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Rallies for A New Career-Best Finish at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Leads the Most Laps at Kansas but Misses Out on Victory
Christopher Bell

Falls Out of Contention for Kansas Victory on Final Restart
Mike Malott

Scores Third-Round TKO Win
Gilbert Burns

Retires After UFC Winnipeg Loss
Charles Jourdain

Extends Winning Streak
Kyler Phillips

Drops Decision At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss In His UFC Debut
Jai Herbert

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Karine Silva

Gets Dominated at UFC Winnipeg
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Dominates Karine Silva
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF