I realize that I have been focusing on deep leagues a lot lately, and kind of skipping over the standard leagues. To be honest, I really only play in two standard leagues anymore, and that is because I have been in them for a decade. I usually do deeper leagues. Deeper leagues do take more work, and a quicker trigger finger, so I find myself focusing on them more. Sometimes my standard league teams suffer for it. So since I am analyzing my standard team rosters, I figure it is a good time to do the add/drops for you standard league players out there.
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I will go position by position and give you players that can help your cause, and those that aren’t pulling their weight. All of the recommended adds are available in 30 percent or more of ESPN leagues. Of course, no one knows your league better than you do. If you can pull of a trade to ditch one of the drop candidates, then by all means, do that instead!
This piece will focus on the third basemen. The catchers are here. The first basemen are here. The second basemen are here. The shortstops are here.
Santana is struggling in August after a great June and July. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Drop/Trade:
Matt Carpenter, Cardinals: The second base eligibility is nice. The .240 average with little counting stats is not. He has not homered since July 25, and has just one steal since July 1st. Third base is deeper this year than usual, so you can likely do better.
Carlos Santana, Indians: After a great run in June and July to get his numbers back to relevant, he has gone cold again in August. He is hitting just .171 for the month, and has not homered since his two-homer effort on July 27th. It’s hard to give up on a guy with this much talent and multi-position eligibility, but this is crunch time. You don’t have time to start someone that is struggling like that.
Add:
Yangervis Solarte, Padres: Unlike some people that have changed teams, Solarte is acutally doing much better in San Diego. In 19 games for the Padres, he has three homers, 11 RBI, a .280 average and 11 runs scored. His plate discipline also improved, and he has walked more times (11) than he has struck out (9) since the trade. Oh, and he has the coveted multi-position eligibility at 2B, 3B and OF.
Trevor Plouffe, Twins: He has battled inconsistency and injury this year, but he is doing well in August. He has a .283 average with a homer, a steal and ten RBI. Ride the hot streak until he cools off!
David Freese, Angels: His struggles are puzzling to me as well, but he is starting to come around of late. He is hitting .313 with six RBI in the last two weeks. If he can get his power back on track, he would be a nice add in all formats.