Ottoneu Cold Right Now: May 22, 2025

Cold Right Now (CRN) is a weekly Ottoneu feature focused on players being dropped or who should be dropped in Ottoneu leagues. In this feature we will break down players into three sections:

1. Roster Cuts: Analysis of players who have been cut in a high percentage of leagues.
2. Recent Injuries: A look at the implications of recent injuries (not all, just some high-profile ones).
3. Cold Performers: Players with a low P/G or P/IP in recent weeks.

This article will typically run once per week and will help fantasy managers keep track of players that need to be given extra attention to improve rosters.

Roster Cuts

José Alvarado, Add% Change (7 days): -27.8%

I debated if he belonged under “recent injuries” since, like an injured player, his cuts are not a result of poor performance. But he isn’t hurt. Alvarado was hit with an 80 game PED suspension, ending his reign as the Phillies closer (at least for now) and probably severely limiting his chances to get that role back. I can’t see a team handing the 9th inning in August to a guy who they know won’t be eligible to pitch in October.

Alvarado, always a bit wild, had drastically cut back on the walks this year. Not only would a 4.8% walk rate be a career best, it’s less than half his career rate, and less than half of his walk rate in any season since his debut. It was only 20 innings, so far, but so maybe he was destined to start handing out free passes like candy again. But when he comes back, he’ll be worth picking up – if that walk rate sticks, he is an elite back-end bullpen arm, even if he isn’t a closer. But I am not holding him for half a season to find out.

Recent Injuries

Hayden Wesneski, Add% Change (7 days): -33.0%

Not much to say here that wasn’t said last week but now we know Wesneski is getting Tommy John Surgery, which will keep him out not only the rest of this year, but likely most of next season, as well. He isn’t proven enough to justify holding through that entire stretch.

Eduardo Rodriguez, Add% Change (7 days): -20.2%

Another injured pitcher. This time, at least, it is not surgery. But shoulder inflammation isn’t a great report, either. If/when Rodriguez comes back healthy, he might be worth a look at the back end of your rotation. Yes, the surface level stats are ugly, but there is quite a bit to like underneath that.

His K% is the highest it has been since 2021 and he hasn’t seen his walks increase. He probably won’t keep giving up a .376 BABIP, especially given he has decreased his hard-hit rate against. I don’t see a need to stash him and I won’t rush out to grab him when he is back, but I’ll have him on my watchlist.

Cold Performers

Cold performers are marked by measuring low P/G or P/IP in the last 14 days.

Kristian Campbell, -1.3 P/G

Campbell started the season so well, but it hasn’t been as pretty lately. Since going 2-4 with a HR, a 2B, and a BB on April 29, Campbell has a .099 wOBA. Over that stretch, he is seeing fewer four-seamers, and more sinkers and sliders. He hasn’t been awful against sinkers, but sliders have been his biggest weakness, and opposing pitchers seem to be identifying and exploiting that. I don’t think that will continue forever, but now might be a moment to buy low on Campbell. Or low-ish. Obviously no one is giving him away, but a contender needing help at 2B or MI wouldn’t be wrong to worry that Campbell might not help for a while, until he adjusts to the adjustment. That might create a buying opportunity.

Salvador Perez, -0.5 P/G

Perez has had some down years in the past – and in general a poor approach and lack of plate discipline have made him a less valuable hitter than I think many believed, for most of his career. Through his age 28 season, he had a career 97 wRC+, and really only took off as he aged. Since then, with the exception of a poor 2023, he has been excellent. However, this year is a disaster and at age 35 I wouldn’t blame you for believing this is the end. His bat speed and fast swing rates are down, very close to where they were in 2023. Decreasing bat speed is definitely a sign of aging. Having said that, his hard-hit rate looks fine and his xwOBA is .350, which is still excellent, especially for a catcher. I have never been the high man on Perez, but I would bet on him being solid the rest of the way.