The Cut List (Week 6): Time to Let Go?

May 6, 2018

Players to cut or drop in week six of the 2018 MLB season. Connor McEleney lists overrated players and busts that should be waived in fantasy baseball.

Welcome to Week 6 of the Cut List. This week features standard league viable options who’ve been too cold for too long. All of these players are safe cuts in standard formats.

Since I’m here to help, I want to introduce Baseball Savant’s hitting and expected stats leaderboards to those of you who haven’t seen it. These leaderboards are a fantastic place to go when making add/drop decisions. You can sort players by xBA, xSLG, xwOBA, Brls/PA to see who’s worth owning and who’s worth cutting.

Want some waiver wire advice to make up for those necessary cuts? Make sure you check out our waiver wire pickups list (and free app download) for the best pickup consultation around.

Time to Move On

Evan Gattis (C, HOU) - .190 BA, 7 runs, 1 HR, 8 RBI

Cut in 10 and 12 team leagues

I’ve waited a few weeks to include Gattis here because of his track record and lack of depth at catcher, but enough’s enough. It’s time to let go in all standard leagues. His BABIP and contact rates are in line with his career averages but his hard contact rate is the lowest it’s ever been. His .247 xwOBA is even two points worse than his actual wOBA. Go ahead and get rid of him.

Better C options: Kurt Suzuki, James McCann, Jonathan Lucroy

Justin Bour (1B, MIA) - .237 BA, 9 runs, 5 HR, 14 RBI

Cut in 10 team leagues, hold in 12+

Bour’s 35.2% swing rate is nine points below his career average but his 76.4% contact rate is a career-high. Like Evan Gattis, Bour’s hard hit rate is sitting a career-low right now. It’s worth noting that all of his expected metrics suggest there will be positive regression at some point, but I’m not sure peak 2018 Justin Bour would be worth owning in 10-teamers.

Better 1B option: Matt Adams

Josh Bell (1B, PIT) - .244 BA, 17 runs, 1 HR, 16 RBI

Cut in 10-team leagues

Bell is just flat-out not making solid contact in 2018. He’s 258th in Brls/PA (min. 25 BBE) and 229th in average exit velocity (min. 25 BBE). Hold him if you’re able and willing to, but you should not hoard him in favor of a hot waiver wire pickup. Is it crazy to rank a guy like Joe Mauer over Bell? I don’t think it is. Just know Bell is locked into a cushy middle-of-the-order spot on the Pirates. This isn’t someone who’s going to stay cold all year.

Better 1B option: Joe Mauer

Michael Conforto (OF, NYM) - .187 BA, 13 runs, 1 HR, 6 RBI

Cut in 10-team leagues

This is a player I never expected to include on this list, but he’s here, unfortunately. I’m hesitant to include guys like Conforto with immense talent profiles and established roles. At some point, however, you have to trust the numbers and cut the cord. Cold players keep your team cold. Hot players boost your chances of winning. Go to your free agent list and see if any of the three guys listed below are available. Add them, hold or drop Conforto, but be sure to bench Conforto until he gets his game straight.

Better OF Options: Jorge Soler, Scott Schebler, Teoscar Hernandez

Update on ​Last Week’s Cuts

Domingo Santana (OF, MIL)

• 7-for-17 (.411), 2 runs, 1 HR, 4 RBI since April 29
• I took a risk when I included Domingo Santana on last week’s list, after all. Is he rosterable in 10-teamers, though?

Addison Russell (SS, CHC)

• 6-for-17 (.352), 3 runs, 0 HR, 2 RBI since April 29
• This is what I get for suggesting cutting talented players in the midst of cold streaks. I still think Russell is an afterthought in most standard leagues.

Sonny Gray (SP, NYY)

• Two starts since April 29
• April 30 start: 6.0 IP, 4 hits allowed, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, Loss
• May 5 start: 6.0 IP, 4 hits allowed, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, Win

Danny Duffy (SP, KC)

• May 2 start: 6.2 IP, 10 hits allowed, 5 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, Loss

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