Fantasy Baseball: Should Kyle Seager and Eric Hosmer Be Dropped?

The baseball season is now close to a month old.  One sixth of the way done.  While the sample sizes are still rather small, we are also at the point that you need to cut some weight that is dragging you down.  Today we will cover those players that just aren’t cutting it.  Look, I get it.  The team you drafted is the team you committed to to help you win a league championship.  Cutting ties with them can feel like breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend.  I am here to tell you that you owe nothing to these players.  They won’t know if you drop them.  Allegiances can be dangerous in the world of fantasy sports.  I am here to tell you who it is okay to drop in most leagues.  I promise that they won’t find out!

All of the recommended drops are owned in more than half of ESPN leagues.  All of the suitable replacements are available in a half of leagues or less.  This installment will cover the catchers and corner infielders.   We will get to the middle infielders  tomorrow, and the outfielders and pitchers later in the week!  For deep league droppables, check out this post: https://fansided.com/2014/04/21/fantasy-baseball-zack-cozart-tops-players-can-drop-even-deep-leagues/

New York Yankees catcher Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Catchers:

Jason Castro, Astros: He is hitting just .071 against lefties.  He isn’t hitting righties very well either, as his average stands at just .216.  He will continue to get most of the starts for the Astros, but there is no reason he should for your ten or 12 team league.

Brian McCann, Yankees: McCann is just one of six catchers that are 100 percent owned.  His .220 average and three homers don’t warrant 100 percent ownership.  Let someone else ride the ship down.  McCann’s numbers have been on the decline for the last two years anyway.  He hasn’t shown any signs of changing that.

Carlos Santana, Indians: I will freely admit that I was high on Santana.  At some point, we have to also admit that he is killing us with his .154 average, one homer, and three RBI.  I won’t drop him unless I absolutely have to, but that point may be coming sooner than we think.  If the groin is hampering his productivity, it won’t improve without some extended rest, which doesn’t seem to be on the horizon

Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Try instead:

Devin Mesoraco, Reds: He is riding a nine game hitting streak, and has three homers in just 29 at-bats.  Did I mention his outstanding .483 batting average?  The breakout is happening folks, and your opportunity to grab him is dwindling by the day.

Russell Martin, Pirates: Chris Stewart is back from the DL, but they won’t bench Martin until he deserves it.  Yes, both of his homers came in the same game, but he is still hitting .283 with 11 RBI.  You can do worse.

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

Eric Hosmer, Royals: Unless you are in a keeper or dynasty league, there is no reason to own Hosmer right now.  He has no homers and no stolen bases on the season.  Let someone else deal with the headache.

Nick Swisher, Indians: Swish has always been a threat to your batting average, but this year he is even worse than normal.  Swisher is hitting just .174 on the year.  The two home runs aren’t worth that…..

Justin Smoak, Mariners: Smoak’s hot start is a distant memory right now.  He is hitting just .186 with two RBI since the first week.  It is safe to send him back to where he came from – the waiver wire.

Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Try instead:

Justin Morneau, Rockies: The concussion issues that plagued him with the Twins the last year and a half are a distant memory.  Morneau is hitting .333 with 3 HR and 10 RBI.  Not quite MVP number, but definitely good enough numbers to help your team.

James Loney, Rays: Loney had a great spring, but started slow.  That may be going away.  He has driven in five runs in the last three games, and is hitting .412 in the last week.  He won’t hit for power, but he can put up a good average and drive in runs.  No reason not to ride a hot streak!

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Third Base:

Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays: Lawrie is hitting a pathetic .134 on the season.  My advice is to let someone else wait on his potential.  It hasn’t shown up yet.

Kyle Seager, Mariners: Seager is hitting just .161 with two RBI and no home runs.  If you in a keeper league, you might be able to just hold him on your bench, but in other leagues, he should probably be dropped.  He has zero trade value right now, and is showing no signs of turning this around.

Chase Headley, Padres: Headley is struggling again.  He showed a lot of promise in 2011, but was a big disappointment last year.  This year is looking like much of the same with Headley hitting just .182 with a homer and six RBI.  There are better options.

Try instead:

Kevin Kouzmanoff, Rangers: He had an eleven game hitting streak snapped yesterday, but his average still sits at .395 with two homers and nine RBI.  Oh, and he didn’t play the first week of the season.  Ride the streak while it lasts!

Juan Uribe, Dodgers: Uribe is hitting .342 with three homers, and is in a potent lineup.  He is worth rolling with until he cools off.

Come back tomorrow for the middle infield portion of the show!