🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
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 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

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

Al Horford

on Track to Return Thursday
Jaden McDaniels

Iffy for Christmas Day
Brandon Williams

Expected to Play on Christmas Day
P.J. Washington

at Risk of Missing Second Straight Game
Klay Thompson

Likely to Play on Christmas Day
Max Christie

Probable for Christmas Day
Ajay Mitchell

Out on Christmas Day
Chet Holmgren

Available on Christmas Day
Lonzo Ball

Available Against Knicks
Evan Mobley

Listed as Questionable for Christmas Tilt
OG Anunoby

Returns to Action Thursday
Jalen Brunson

Available on Christmas Day
David Montgomery

Questionable to Play With Illness
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Questionable, Expected to Play on Thursday
Rashee Rice

Chiefs Place Rashee Rice on Injured Reserve
T.J. Hockenson

Ruled Out for Week 17
Pete Fairbanks

Marlins Agree on One-Year Deal
Josh Johnson

to Start at QB on Thursday Against Dallas
Brooks Koepka

Leaving LIV Golf
Davante Adams

Could Sit Out Final Two Regular-Season Games
Brock Bowers

Placed on Injured Reserve Due to Lingering Knee Injury
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Expected to Play on Christmas Day Against the Vikings
Connor McDavid

Finishes Battle of Alberta With Five Assists
Karel Vejmelka

Battling Upper-Body Injury
Alexandre Texier

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Against Bruins
Alexander Nikishin

Dealing With Apparent Ankle Injury
Denver Barkey

Exits Early Tuesday
Travis Sanheim

Pulled by Concussion Spotter Tuesday
Cam Whitmore

Out Indefinitely With Deep Vein Thrombosis
Corey Kispert

Lasts for 13 Minutes in Comeback Game
Jaxson Hayes

Makes Early Exit Versus Suns
Gary Trent Jr.

Limited to Five Minutes Tuesday
Matas Buzelis

Exits With Leg Injury Tuesday
Keegan Murray

Sustains Calf Injury Tuesday
Cameron Johnson

Scheduled for MRI After Hurting Right Knee
Chet Holmgren

Suffers Facial Injury Tuesday
Caris LeVert

Upgraded to Available Tuesday
Ryan O'Hearn

Pirates Agree on Two-Year Deal
DK Metcalf

has Two-Game Suspension Upheld
Philip Rivers

to Remain the Starter in Week 17
George Kittle

Dealing With Mid-to-Low Ankle Sprain
Viktor Arvidsson

a Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Ryan Leonard

Available Tuesday
Tom Wilson

in Danger of Missing First Game of the Season
Phillip Danault

Makes Second Canadiens Debut Tuesday
Collin Graf

Available Against Golden Knights
Jack Eichel

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Vince Dunn

Won't Play Tuesday
Deshaun Watson

Will Not be Activated Off PUP List, 2025 Season is Over
J.J. McCarthy

Ruled Out for Week 17
Rome Odunze

Expected to Return This Season
Christian McCaffrey

Another Monster Game for Christian McCaffrey in Week 16
Brock Purdy

Throws for Five Touchdowns in Week 16
TreVeyon Henderson

in Concussion Protocol, Week 17 Status Unclear
George Kittle

Week 17 Availability in Question?
CFB

Jeff Brohm, Eli Drinkwitz "Names of Interest" for Michigan Head Coach
Timothy Liljegren

to Miss Second Straight Game Tuesday
Will Smith

Out Week-to-Week
Jaccob Slavin

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Seth Jarvis

Considered Week-to-Week
Darren Raddysh

Totals Three Points in Monday's Win
Mason Marchment

Scores Twice Monday
Vince Dunn

Injured in Monday's Win
Rashee Rice

Still in Concussion Protocol, Estimated as Non-Participant on Monday
J.J. McCarthy

Listed as DNP on Monday Ahead of Week 17
Ilya Sorokin

to Miss Tuesday's Game
DK Metcalf

Suspended for Two Games Following Confrontation with Fan
CFB

Byrum Brown Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Bobby Petrino Joining Bill Belichick as North Carolina's Offensive Coordinator
Willson Contreras

Shipped to the Red Sox
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
CFB

Darian Mensah Returning to Duke Next Season
CFB

Josh Hoover Linked to Indiana in Transfer Portal
CFB

Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic

RANKINGS

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