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 6): Time to Let Go?

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.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

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

 

More Busts and Overvalued Players




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

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF