Who is Being Dropped and Why (Week 3) by Jeff Zimmerman August 11, 2020 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. Players Dropped in the NFBC Main Event Carlos Rodon 36 Matt Adams 33 Mike Soroka 33 Nick Burdi 32 Jeurys Familia 29 Roberto Osuna 28 Oliver Drake 25 Edinson Volquez 24 Tyler Heineman 24 Joey Lucchesi 22 Franchy Cordero 20 Corey Knebel 18 Ender Inciarte 18 Michael Wacha 18 Ian Kennedy 17 Nick Madrigal 17 Ryan Helsley 17 Evan White 16 Nick Goody 16 Sean Doolittle 16 Tim Lopes 16 Eric Lauer 15 Forrest Whitley 15 Justin Upton 15 Brandon Crawford 14 Brian Goodwin 14 Mike Zunino 14 Yadier Molina 14 Bradley Zimmer 13 Greg Holland 13 Josh James 13 Mychal Givens 13 Tony Wolters 13 Jalen Beeks 12 Raimel Tapia 12 Brandon Belt 11 Dellin Betances 11 Evan Longoria 11 Homer Bailey 11 Jacob Stallings 11 Jeff Samardzija 11 Jonathan Loaisiga 11 Jose Alvarado 11 Kike Hernandez 11 Manuel Margot 11 Matt Magill 11 Mitch Keller 11 Wade Davis 11 Yasiel Puig 11 Aaron Bummer 10 Adam Wainwright 10 Anibal Sanchez 10 Caleb Smith 10 Kyle Wright 10 Yan Gomes 10 Yoenis Cespedes 10 Alex Dickerson 9 Carlos Estevez 9 Craig Kimbrel 9 Diego Castillo 9 Emilio Pagan 9 Josh VanMeter 9 Jurickson Profar 9 Kendall Graveman 9 Madison Bumgarner 9 Michael Lorenzen 9 Rowdy Tellez 9 Bryan Abreu 8 Derek Holland 8 Edward Olivares 8 Edwin Rios 8 Jonathan Hernandez 8 Martin Maldonado 8 Robinson Cano 8 Roman Quinn 8 Tony Watson 8 Yusmeiro Petit 8 Ben Gamel 7 Blake Treinen 7 Daulton Varsho 7 Dee Gordon 7 Jackie Bradley Jr. 7 Jason Heyward 7 Justin Verlander 7 Matt Andriese 7 Matt Carpenter 7 Mike Foltynewicz 7 Nico Hoerner 7 Rafael Dolis 7 Ryan O’Hearn 7 Travis Shaw 7 Vince Velasquez 7 Wilmer Flores 7 Yoshi Tsutsugo 7 Yoshihisa Hirano 7 Carter Kieboom 6 Dakota Hudson 6 Felix Pena 6 Freddy Peralta 6 Hunter Harvey 6 J.A. Happ 6 Jose Osuna 6 Justin Smoak 6 Matt Barnes 6 Miguel Andujar 6 Sergio Romo 6 Tanner Roark 6 Tony Gonsolin 6 A.J. Puk 5 Andrelton Simmons 5 Aristides Aquino 5 Asher Wojciechowski 5 Dan Altavilla 5 Danny Duffy 5 Hansel Robles 5 Harrison Bader 5 Hunter Pence 5 Jake Lamb 5 Jarrod Dyson 5 Kyle Freeland 5 Michael Chavis 5 Robinson Chirinos 5 Ty France 5