Fansided

JB’s Fantasy Advice: Slumping Stars to cut or ride out

By Justin Buckhanan

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 24: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians hits a two-run double during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Progressive Field on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Sargent/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 24: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians hits a two-run double during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Progressive Field on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Sargent/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 24: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants at bat against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at AT&T Park on August 24, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The Texas Rangers defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-6 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 24: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants at bat against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at AT&T Park on August 24, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The Texas Rangers defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-6 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

National League

Buster Posey, San Francisco — Posey is 32 now and seems older. He has shown a regression in power each of the past five seasons and his hip injury from last season has further sapped him. With last year’s first-round draft pick Joey Bart waiting in the wings in the next year or two, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Posey transition into more first base duty sooner rather than later. When that happens, his value could be gone. My advice: Hold on to Posey strong and tight. Even if his regression continues, it’s probably safe to get a .270, 11 HR, 55 RBI year out of Posey. With catcher weaker than it has been in years, those are still top 10 numbers.

Brian Dozier, Washington — Dozier used to offer a nice power/speed combo. Last season, his HR total fell dramatically and his average was a career low. At the age of 31 and getting off to a .186, 5 HR, 7 RBI start, one has to think Dozier’s better days are clearly behind him. My advice: Drop him. With Trea Turner coming back from injury soon, Howie Kendrick playing well, Carter Kieboom getting a taste of the majors and Wilmer Difo still around, Dozier will probably end up as a bat coming off the bench and that doesn’t hold much value in roto.

Joey Votto, Cincinnati — Votto has been one of the better offensive first baseman for a decade. From 2015 to 2017, his average season was .320, 31 HR and 92 RBI. Votto hit the wall in 2018 and is off to a terrible .213, 3 HR, 5 RBI start in 2019. While Votto still has some talent left in his bat (the Reds are batting him leadoff for his on-base skills), it’s hard to see him coming anywhere close to the stats he averaged between 2015 and 2017. My advice: Try to trade him to someone who still believes in his name value, even if it seems like your getting 60 cents on the dollar in return.

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