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Players to cut or drop in week 24 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 24 of the Cut List. This week I took a look at Brian Dozier, Dee Gordon, Billy Hamilton, and Matt Olson. All four players should be dropped in most standard formats as we head deeper into the fantasy playoffs.
This is the most intense time of the fantasy season, so all you shouldn’t be afraid to cut that underperforming player you paid up for in the draft or free agency. Each day counts. Each at-bat counts.
Want some waiver wire advice to make up for those necessary cuts? Make sure you check out our waiver wire blog for the best pickup consultation around.
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Time to Move On
Brian Dozier (2B, LAD)
Cut in 10-team leagues
Why you should cut him: Dozier hit .165 over the last 30 days and has yet to hit a home run in September. He’s 0-for-21 since August 31 and hasn’t stolen a base in ages. It’s not as if he isn’t receiving playing time, either. He’s getting every opportunity to shine in Los Angeles. Don’t fall into the high ADP bias trap. He’s not producing at a critical stage in the season, and you need to cut him swiftly.
Better 2B option: Jonathan Villar
Dee Gordon (2B/OF, SEA)
Cut in 10-team leagues
Why you should cut him: Much like Brian Dozier, Gordon hit .215 over the last 30 days and hasn’t scored a run since August 24 in Arizona. He’s hitting at the bottom of the Seattle order and has trouble getting on base. Hard pass. Go pick up a hot Jonathan Villar and the reap the benefits of his late-season surge.
Better 2B/OF options: Jonathan Villar, Hunter Renfroe
Billy Hamilton (OF, CIN)
Cut in 14-team leagues
Why you should cut him: He’s 3-for-24 over the last seven days and hasn’t stolen a base since August 11. You read that right. Hamilton’s going on a month without swiping a bag. Why, then, is he still owned in 52% of ESPN leagues. Anyone care to explain? We know Dee Gordon is a very poor hitter, but Hamilton is the poor man’s Gordon, meaning he shouldn’t be owned in most leagues.
Better OF options: Hunter Renfroe, Mallex Smith
Matt Olson (1B, OAK)
Cut in 10-team leagues
Why you should cut him: This is going to come back and bite me, but I think Olson is droppable in standard 10-teamers. His expected stats on BaseballSavant are what you’d expect them to be, but every day counts in the fantasy playoffs, so you shouldn’t hesitate to look at other options while Olson endures a cold streak. His .367 xwOBA and .260 xBA suggest he’ll bounce back at some point in the near future, but we can’t be fully sure it’ll happen when you need it to happen. Stash him on your bench for now and keep an eye out for hot free agents.
Better 1B option: Luke Voit, Yuli Gurriel
Update on Last Week’s Cuts
Corey Dickerson (OF/DH, PIT)
- 2-for-12, 2 runs, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 SB since September 3
Michael Conforto (OF, NYM)
- 3-for-17, 1 run, 1 HR, 3 RBI since September 3
Maikel Franco (3B, PHI)
- Missed the entire week with a wrist injury
Max Kepler (OF, MIN)
- 3-for-12, 1 run, 0 HR, 1 RBI since September 3
