Welcome back to “Off The Deep End”, where I will give you fantasy baseball tips on who to pick up or drop in deeper leagues. For people who play standard leagues, drop/add columns are easy for you to find, but for those of you that love deeper leagues, advice can be harder to come by. That is where I can help.
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 deeper leagues. I promise that they won’t find out!
Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielders:
David DeJesus, Rays: If you were hoping for a revitalization here, it isn’t happening. DeJesus is mired in an 0-23 slump, and is finally starting to lose at-bats. He is hitting an awful .119 with no homers, no RBI, and no steals. If you are still one of the ones hanging on to him, you shouldn’t.
David Lough, Orioles: No, I’m not just picking on guys named David. Lough was initially slated to platoon with Delmon Young. Now Young is even starting to take starts from him against righties. This is a trend that will likely continue. Having a .135 average on the season with zero homers and two steals will do that.
Nate McLouth, Nationals: McClouth is hitting a disgusting .074 on the season with no homers, no steals, no RBI, and two runs scored. He should not be owned in any league right now. Believe it or not, he is.
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: The Dodger outfield is packed with Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford, and Scott Van Slyke all needing playing time. Oh, and they might have the best OF at AAA as well with Joc Pederson and Trayvon Robinson. There simply is no room for a guy hitting .167 over the last two weeks. perhaps the most disturbing part about this is that Ethier is usually a hot starter. He wasn’t this year when he really needed to be. The Dodgers are almost out of patience with him, and have plenty of other players than can turn to. It may be wise for you to do the same.
Alex Presley, Astros: The Astros also have an outfield chock full of prospects. They will play whomever has the hot hand, and it has not been Presley this year. He is hitting just .146 on the season. He has upside, but until he starts hitting, and the Astros consistently field the same outfield, he isn’t worth the headache.
Raul Ibanez, Angels: I’m afraid that age has finally caught up with Mr. Ibanez. Raul is mired in a season-long slump, and is hitting just .148 on the season. Is the three home runs he has hit really worth this?
Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Starting Pitchers:
Erasmo Ramirez, Mariners: If you are not in a dynasty league, it is time to move on. Ramirez has allowed 13 earned runs in his last 11 innings, and his ERA has ballooned to 7.50 on the season. I have a feeling he won’t be in the majors much longer.
Ubaldo Jimenez, Orioles: Ubaldo has allowed three or more runs in every start. He has a history of being streaky, but do you really want to let him kill your ERA/WHIP until he turns it around? I don’t…..
Jarred Cosart, Astros: Again, if you are in a dynasty, you might not want to give up on him. However, if you own him in regular or even keeper leagues, he can be dropped. Since his nice first start against the Yankees, Cosart has allowed 15 runs in 13 and a third innings, culminating in a 7-run one out performance in his last start against the A’s.
Phil Hughes, Twins: Hughes has a 6.43 ERA in four starts. He may be the number two starter for the Twins, but he has no business in your rotation. He doesn’t even strike out enough batters to be useful. I’m a Twins fan, and I dropped him. That should tell you something.
Bartolo Colon, Mets: Colon’s WHIP is a dreadful 1.48. His ERA is not terrible at 5.40, and he does strike out a few batters. And he has only walked three batters in four starts. So, why am I telling you to drop him? Because he has given up 34 hits in just 25 innings. He will get destroyed far more often than he turns in quality starts, I’m afraid.
Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Relief Pitchers:
Jose Veras, Cubs: He has a 15.43 ERA, no saves, and no holds. Enough said.
Heath Bell, Rays: Those of you that have visions of him taking over the closer role, think again. He hasn’t even managed to pick up a hold yet, and he has a 5.79 ERA on the year. He isn’t worth hanging on to unless a major shakeup happens in the Rays’ ‘pen.
Chad Qualls, Astros: He has experience as a closer, and Houston doesn’t really have a clear cut option, but Qualls has yet to get a shot. His 9.00 ERA might have something to do with that. Which means someone else would really have to falter for Qualls to be even moderately relevant.
J.J. Hoover, Reds: Hoover had a great year last year, but has struggled to the tune of a 14.54 ERA. He still strikes out more than a batter an inning, but is it worth it right now? You can get great K/9 rates anywhere.
Brian Wilson, Dodgers: I get it. Everyone wants a cool beard on their team. Do you really want the 10+ ERA that comes with it though? He won’t close with L.A., and even hold chances have been hard to come by. Let someone who gives you some stats destroy your ERA instead.
Come back tomorrow for some deep league corner infield and catcher adds!