The Cut List (Week 9): Time to Let Go?

May 27, 2018

Players to cut or drop in week 8 of the 2018 MLB season. Connor McEleney lists overrated players and busts that should be waived in fantasy baseball.

Welcome to Week 9 of the Cut List. Last week’s cut suggestions were some of the best yet if you ask me. I suggested cutting Jay Bruce, Albert Pujols, Rougned Odor, and Rich Hill and they all continued their poor play. Bruce, Pujols, and Odor went a combined 13-for-64 (.203) and Hill was pulled from his start with a blister issue. It was shocking, I know.

I’m looking to continue this prescient trend into this next week. Like always, these cut suggestions are standard league focused.

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.

Time to Move On

Marwin Gonzalez (1B/SS, HOU) - .222 BA, 16 runs, 4 HR, 25 RBI

Cut in 10 and 12 team leagues

Why you should cut him: I don’t think many fantasy gamers are surprised about Gonzalez crashing back down to earth posting a 144 wRC+ last season. Statcast wasn’t exactly sold on his 2017 campaign, either. His .251 xBA was fifty-two points below his actual .303 BA, and he had the biggest difference in wOBA and xwOBA among batters with a minimum 500 plate appearances. Keep him around for his position flexibility (he’s SS, 1B, 2B, OF eligible on ESPN), but otherwise it’s time to move forward without him.

Better 1B/SS options: Mark Reynolds, Jesus Aguilar, Brandon Crawford

Drew Pomeranz (SP, BOS) - 5.97 ERA, 28 Ks, 1.78 WHIP in seven starts

Cut in 12+ team leagues

Why you should cut him: I think of Pomeranz like I think of Rougned Odor. I ask myself the same questions about both. Is Pomeranz even good? What’s his ceiling? How much upside does he have? But at this point I think I know the answers to those questions. He’s pretty good, but not worth owning in 10-teamers, his ceiling is boosted by a career 8.79 K/9, and I think he’s an okay source of upside, but you could do much better than him. His peripherals look bad… blah, blah, blah. You know the story with inconsistent pitchers and high walk rates. There are plenty of other great up-and-coming arms that should be available in standard leagues. Go and add them as soon as possible.

Better SP options: Ross Stripling, Trevor Cahill, Vince Velasquez

Yonder Alonso (1B, CLE) - .228 BA, 20 runs, 9 HR, 26 RBI

Cut in 12+ team leagues

Why you should cut him: If you’ve been constantly checking the expected stats page on Baseball Savant like I’ve been, you’ve been waiting for a set of breakout games from Alonso. That hasn’t happened yet. He’s still launching fly balls and making hard contact, but he’s not hitting liners. More grounders plus fewer line drives usually equates to a sunken batting average, and when that happens to a player who sold out for power, the result is usually disastrous.

Better 1B options: Mitch Moreland, Ryon Healy

Eduardo Escobar (3B/SS, MIN) - 9-for-47 (.191), 2 runs, 0 HR, 1 RBI in past 15 days

Cut in 10-team leagues

Why you should cut him: After starting hot in April, Escobar crashed back down in May hitting .241 and driving in seven fewer batters. If you still own Escobar in a 10-teamer, why? He’s just making it easy for you at this point. He’s a career .271 hitter who had a nice start in April. We’ve moved past April hot streak guys like him. He’s a decent asset in deep leagues, however, but this suggestion is for all you 10-teamer Escobar owners out there. Look for better options as soon as possible.

Better 3B/SS options: Brian Anderson, Josh Harrison, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Update on Last Week’s Cuts

Jay Bruce (OF, NYM)

• 4-for-24 (.166), 0 runs, 0 HR, 0 RBI since May 20
• Bruce has yet to heat up and remains a cut in almost all leagues.

Albert Pujols (DH/1B, LAA)

• 4-for-16 (.250), 1 run, 1 HR, 3 RBI since May 20
• His two-run homer on May 24 helped this line out, but other than that, he didn’t do anything of note. Keep him off your team.

Rich Hill (SP, LAD)

• Hill was pulled from his May 19 start with a blister issue on his finger
• Shocking.

Rougned Odor (2B, TEX)

• 5-for-24 (.208), 1 run, 1 HR, 4 RBI since May 20
• This is what Odor does, guys. He’s only 24-years-old, though, so the best is yet to come from him. Until that time comes, keep him away from your team.

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