Who is Being Dropped and Why

Sorry for not posting last week. I took a little mid-week vacation. These are the players being dropped in the 38 NFBC Main Event leagues which have 23 active players, seven bench spots, and no IL.

Hurt

• Joey Wendle (31): A broken hand for a borderline rosterable player equals waiver wire fodder.
• Roman Quinn (24): It’s easy to drop someone hitting .120/.185/.120 who heads to the IL with a strained groin.
• Ryan Zimmerman (18): He has been dealing with plantar fasciitis for bit and heads to the IL to hope it improves.
• Alex Wood (15): Owners gave up on him with his latest injury setback. He’s too close to replacement level to keep on a limited bench.
• Bo Bichette (15): The combination of a broken hand the Blue Jays conservative promotion schedule had owners dumping him.
• Jordan Zimmermann (13): Elbow issues have forced him and his 5.93 ERA to the wire.
• Matt Kemp (13): A rib injury has forced the struggling (.200/.210/.283) off rosters.
• Nathan Eovaldi (12): Elbow surgery
• Alex Reyes: Meet Hunter Strickland’s stepbrother.
• Cody Allen: Horrible results (6.00 ERA, 1.89 WHIP) and a back injury.

Demoted

• Corbin Burnes (13): The 24-year-old lefty couldn’t keep the ball in the yard (5.6 HR/9) which led to a 10.70 ERA. The Brewers couldn’t continue to allow him to get lit up even though he posted a 12.23 K/9. In two minor league starts, he has a 0.00 ERA but a 4.70 BB/9. He needs to find some control.
• Cedric Mullins II (11): His glove didn’t keep him on the field when he was hitting (.094/.181/.156) though he’s improved in AAA (.348/.500/.435).

Other

• Wilmer Difo (22): With the promotion of Carter Kieboom, the Nationals moved Difo to the bench. It wasn’t like Difo was struggling (.254/.321/.366). I think they were just hoping for more out of Kieboom.
• Erik Swanson (20): After five strikeouts, a 1.86 WHIP, and 9.31 ERA in his two-start week, Swanson’s owners were done with him.
• Homer Bailey (17): Another two-start week gone horrible. 10.29 ERA. Three strikeouts. 1.86 WHIP. I still think he can be streamed but with the right matchup.
• Jeremy Hellickson (17): Owners will do anything for a two-start week. Hellickson at Colorado? Maybe they were still feeling the effects of 420. For those who took the plunge, they were “rewarded” with seven strikeouts, 11.25 ERA, and 2.13 WHIP.
• Zack Godley (16): Yet another two-start pitcher and another complete beat down this week. 12.15 ERA. Just five strikeouts. A 2.85 WHIP.
• Wilmer Flores (14): I dropped Flores in several leagues this week. It was not because he was struggling (.224/.277/.276). It was because the Diamondbacks quit playing him (three of last six games).
• Ben Zobrist (13): He has struggled at the plate hitting for no power (.239/.329/.254 and ranked 296 of 321 in HardHit%) and sitting every third game. He might become rosterable once healthy.
• Derek Dietrich (13): He’s splitting time with Jose Peraza making both nearly unrosterable.
• J.D. Davis (13): In the seven games since Todd Frazier has returned, Davis has started one. 100% droppable.
• Kendrys Morales (12): Even though he continues to face only righties, he hasn’t hit them (.171/.298/.229).
• Mike Leake (12): After a decent start to the season, he has morphed back into Mike Leake. He’s just a streaming option depending on the matchup.
• Steven Duggar (12): Hitting just (.229/.272/.371) while dealing with a sore wrist. There are just better options available.
• Trevor Cahill (12): I’ve always liked Cahill when healthy but the long ball (2.7 HR/9) is killing him this year. Also, only 7.4 K/9 isn’t helpful.
• Chris Owings (11): He decided his .574 OPS from last season was too high and is settling on a sum-.500 value this season.
• Ian Kennedy (11): As the Royals closer, he has one save. He shouldn’t worry since the team only has four total this season.
• Francisco Mejia (10): A halftime catcher who is not hitting (.158/.220/.237) is about worthless.
• Jorge Lopez (10): His 10-strikeout game against the White Sox has become a distant memory with eight earned runs allowed in his last 10 innings of work.
• Josh Harrison (10): A day-to-day shoulder injury and suckitude (.156/.212/.233) has pushed off the leadoff spot and into part-time work.
• Jung Ho Kang (10): He wouldn’t be so horrible (.160/.222/.360) if his strikeout rate wasn’t 35% (22% on his career).