The Coldest CBS Drops 4/2/19

Yesterday, I discussed a bunch of players being picked up by fantasy leaguers across the land in CBS Sports leagues. Although Jeff Zimmerman covered drops yesterday, these were in NFBC leagues, which is no trading, no IL, and usually 15 teams. As such, the formats are quite different than those played on CBS, so we’re going to look at the guys you’re all dropping like hot potatoes. I’m going to ignore injured guys those demoted to the minors and those whose roles were reduced.

Chris Taylor SS | LAD  – Previous Week Own % 76 | Current Week Own % 64

As an owner of Taylor in two leagues, I wasn’t happy to learn that Enrique Hernandez had won the starting second base job. I have picked up a replacement in my shallow 12 team mixed league, but have held onto him for the time being until I need to make room for another pickup. In shallow leagues, there’s really no need to hold on, especially given Hernandez’s fast start and Taylor’s failure to get his first hit after nine at-bats. There’s double digit power and speed upside here though if he finds himself back in a full-time role.

Hunter Renfroe LF | SD  – Previous Week Own % 60 | Current Week Own % 49

I’m pretty shocked that Renfroe has earned just seven plate appearances and the Padres haven’t been rotating outfielders as I expected. Franmil Reyes has apparently won the starting right field job, but this is likely to be a fluid situation as an extended slump could change things around. Renfroe has already hit 26 homers two straight seasons, so it’s surprising the Padres have decided to go with a guy who might be that good, rather than the one who has already done it. Like Taylor above, I would probably cut bait in a shallow league as it’s not easy to suck up a reserve spot waiting around for a guy to become a starter again.

Willians Astudillo C | MIN – Previous Week Own % 70 | Current Week Own % 59

I can’t understand why Astudillo was in such high demand and owned in 70% of leagues heading into opening day. Where was he going to get his at-bats? Surely, I would agree he deserves them somewhere. But the Twins were pretty set on a Jason Castro/Mitch Garver combo behind the plate and are covered with every day guys in the infield. They also have Nelson Cruz clogging up the DH spot. I would love to see what Astudillo could do given every day at-bats, but unless you’re in an AL-Only league, I can’t see him earning value unless injuries strike ahead of him.

Hunter Pence LF | TEX – Previous Week Own % 29 | Current Week Own % 19

That’s funny. Why was he owned in 29% of leagues to begin with?! Did fantasy owners blindly follow the hot spring thinking he had won a starting job? At best, he’ll hit on the short side of a platoon against left-handers. He’d be interesting if an injury hit and he found himself a starter, but there’s no need to hold him if and until that happens.

Jose Martinez 1B | STL  – Previous Week Own % 74 | Current Week Own % 64

I drafted Martinez in the TGFBI in like the 19th round, because at that point, it wasn’t totally clear that Dexter Fowler would be given another chance as a starter. He has, which renders Martinez worthless outside of NL-Only leagues. It’s unfortunate, as he would be an excellent mixed league asset with every day playing time. His current 64% ownership rate is still far too high.

Brian Goodwin CF | LAA – Previous Week Own % 19 | Current Week Own % 10

Hey, he’s now starting for the Angels! The Royals surprisingly released him, and the Angels promptly picked him up to help replace Justin Upton (LOL). While I liked him as a sleeper thinking he would be the Royals starting right fielder, he seemingly has less job security now, competing with such luminaries like Peter Bourjos and Tommy La Stella. I do like him as a short-term asset in deep leagues, as he possesses a nice combo of power and speed, but I’m not sure how much opportunity he’ll have, and the Angels might find something better.

Mitch Garver C | MIN – Previous Week Own % 20 | Current Week Own % 12

Hmmm, so Garver, the actual Twins backup catcher is owned in 12% of leagues, while Astudillo, who’s a bench utility guy, is owned in 59% of leagues. I get the upside with Astudillo, and you’re not going to even carry Garver outside AL-Only leagues, but it’s kinda backwards. I’m not sure why his ownership declined though as his role hasn’t changed.

Greg Allen CF | CLE  – Previous Week Own % 36 | Current Week Own % 29

Did fantasy owners think Allen would win a starting job? The guy owns a career .283 wOBA, and while his minor league numbers have been fairly respectable, he has done nothing to earn a starting gig. He’s got speed, of course, but fantasy owners are correct to drop him. However, he’s still owned in too many leagues at 29%.

Shin-Soo Choo DH | TEX  – Previous Week Own % 65 | Current Week Own % 59

So it appears that Choo has become a platoon player, sitting against southpaws, which really hampers his value. It makes sense too, as he has no defensive value as the DH, and posted a weak .292 wOBA against lefties last year. For his career, he sports a .314 wOBA against southpaws, which isn’t terrible, but it shouldn’t be difficult to find a hitter who could perform better. At age 36 and now with a likely loss in playing time, the drops make sense and he’s at an ownership rate that looks right.