Who is Being Dropped and Why (Week 3)

The number of transactions as teams return their failed attempts at Saves. A few interesting disappointing-but-everyday hitters have been released. Finding the available diamond will be key to winning and losing leagues.

For this analysis, I use the NFBC Main Event because of the number of identical leagues. Additionally, the owners stay engaged longer since each spent over $1000 per team. I tried to find that sweet spot between obvious and bizarre and will focus on players dropped in six to nine leagues.

Hitters

• Alex Dickerson (9): The series at Colorado is over.
• Jurickson Profar (9): On the short side of a second base platoon with Jake Croneworth.
• Rowdy Tellez (9): He on the strong side of a platoon with Brandon Drury while hitting .143/.244/.257.
• Edward Olivares (8): Has only started six of 16 games for the Padres.
• Edwin Rios (8): He has started in only 5 of the last 10 games.
• Martin Maldonado (8):  I’m a little surprised there is only one person on the catcher carousal.
• Robinson Canó (8): On the IL.
• Roman Quinn (8): In a sort of platoon with Adam Haseley (.389..389/.500). Quinn has started four of the last five games while hitting .304/.333/.609.
• Ben Gamel (7): An interesting drop. He’s playing (started eight of last nine games) while hitting .205/.244/.462. There are less productive hitters being rostered.
• Dee Gordon (7): Why was he still on a roster? He’s starting in half the games while hitting .167/.219/.200.
• Jackie Bradley Jr. (7): While playing most days, owners are moving on past his .222/.300/.267 production.
• Jason Heyward (7): Regular outfielder hitting like sh … this: .189/.231/.270.
• Matt Carpenter (7): Suspect talent who hasn’t been playing.
• Nico Hoerner (7): He has started in 10 of the Cubs 13 games but is hitting just .235/.289/.265.
• Ryan O’Hearn (7): Started nine of 14 games since coming off the IL hitting .286/.359/.400
• Travis Shaw (7): Has played in four straight games since returning to the team while hitting .143/.200/.143 during that stretch.
• Wilmer Flores (7): Series at Colorado is over.
• Yoshi Tsutsugo (7): He’s hitting .159/.288/.250 and only playing against righties.
• Carter Kieboom (6): He’s sitting against some righties and yet to have an extra-base hit this season.
• Jose Osuna (6): He was demoted while hitting .158/.238/.316.
• Justin Smoak (6): After starting every game to begin the season, it has just been in four of the last six while hitting .158/.238/.316.
• Miguel Andujar (6): Demoted to the alternate site.

Starters

• Kendall Graveman (9): On the IL.
• Madison Bumgarner (9): On the IL.
• Derek Holland (8): He’s been homer prone (3.3 HR/9) leading to an 8.27 ERA.
• Justin Verlander (7): On the IL.
• Mike Foltynewicz (7): DFA’ed.
• Vince Velasquez (7): While he has posted a 12.9 K/9 in two starts, he’s been done in with a 6.4 BB/9 and 2.6 HR/9 leading to a 6.43 ERA.
• Dakota Hudson (6): Suspect talent who hasn’t pitched with the Cardinals in lockdown.
• Freddy Peralta (6): These shares could come back and burn the owners. Peralta has a 3.60 ERA (estimators closer to 2.00) and a 15.3 K/9.
• J.A. Happ (6): He been symmetrically horrible. 3.86 K/9 and HR/9. 10.29 BB/9 and ERA.
• Tanner Roark (6): On the IL.

Closers

• Carlos Estevez (9): Some owners gambled on him becoming the closer but Jairo Díaz got it instead.
• Craig Kimbrel (9): Several owners are giving up on him as the Cubs closer. I’d not be surprised at all if gets two Saves and went for over $100 in FAAB next week.
• Diego Castillo (9): I’m not sure why he’s being dropped by those who added him. He’s going to be one of several relievers getting Saves for the Rays.
• Emilio Pagan (9): Looks like Edwin Diaz and Seth Lugo will share the closer duties.
• Josh VanMeter (9): Started four times in 16 games this season. Owners probably thought he was Mike Moustakas’s sub but Christian Colon and Kyle Farmer are in a second base platoon.
• Michael Lorenzen (9): He’s a mess right now with a 8.4 BB/9, 5.1 HR/9, and 16.88 ERA.
• Bryan Abreu (8): Optioned to the alternate site.
• Jonathan Hernandez (8): Rafael Montero looks to be the Rangers closer over Hernandez.
• Tony Watson (8): He’s lost his closer’s role to Trevor Gott.
• Yusmeiro Petit (8): He’s just not pitching enough with his 88 mph fastball to be useful.
• Blake Treinen (7): Kenley Jansen seems to have a lock on the closer’s role.
• Matt Andriese (7): Unknown role and too many walks (4.4 BB/9) has led to a 5.84 ERA.
• Rafael Dolis (7): Missed out on the becoming the Blue Jays closer.
• Yoshihisa Hirano (7): On the IL.
• Felix Pena (6): Didn’t get a chance to be the Angels closer.
• Hunter Harvey (6): How has he been held this long. He’s been on the IL all season.
• Sergio Romo (6): He got a random Save and everyone added him. I don’t get it.
• Matt Barnes (6): Just not closing.
• Tony Gonsolin (6): Optioned to the training site.