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 outfielders. The catchers are here. The first basemen are here. The second basemen are here. The shortstops are here. The third basemen are here.
Gattis is struggling at the plate lately. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Drop/Trade:
Jayson Werth, Nationals: His overall numbers (12 homers, six steals) make him a fringe standard league player anyway. Add in the fact that he is hitting just .229 since July 29th and has not homered since the All Star break, and you have a guy just taking up space.
Evan Gattis, Braves: Owners love the catcher eligibility and the power potential, so why am I telling you to let him go? He is hitting just .229 with one homer and six RBI since he came back from the DL on July 20th. His average has dipped all the way to .205 in the month of August.
Alex Rios, Rangers: Rios is hitting just .125 in August, and has not homered since July 6th. More importantly, he has not stolen a base since July 12th. Oh, and he has just four RBI since the All Star break. That is the epitome of ‘dead weight’ in fantasy terms.
Charlie Blackmon, Rockies: His season numbers are very very good, sitting at .286 with 14 homers, 58 RBI, and 21 steals. A closer look reveals that most of his damage was done early on. He has only four home runs and 11 steals since June 1st, and has not hit a homer since July 9th. His .152 average in August further adds to the fact that he is not standard league material anymore.
Marcell Ozuna, Marlins: The 16 homers on the year are nice, but his last one was on July 27th. That, and he is hitting just .103 in August make it necessary to drop him as soon as possible.
Reddick is heating up after a slow start. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Add:
Josh Reddick, Athletics: He is about as streaky as they come, and he in on an uptick now. Reddick has half of his season home runs since July 27th, and is hitting .327 since his return to the lineup on July 20th. He looks poised to have a strong finish to what has been a lost season so far.
Norichika Aoki, Royals: Aoki has a .333 average, a homer, four steals, nine RBI, and ten runs scored in August. He is producing across the board right now!
Tommy Medica, Padres: He will likely play every day at first base with Yonder Alonso out, which will keep his hot bat in the lineup. He is hitting .333 with three homers, six RBI, and two steals this month.
Chris Coghlan, Cubs: Want to know why Jorge Soler is still in the minors? It has a lot to do with Coghlan’s hot summer. He is hitting .359 since July 1st with four homers, 19 RBI, 24 runs scored, and three steals. That is standard league production.
David Peralta, Diamondbacks: If you have read my stuff before, you know that I am high on Peralta. He is hitting .299 with five homers and four steals since being called up on June 1st. He is worth a slot in your lineup as long as he is in Arizona’s.
Come back tomorrow for the starting pitchers!