Who is Being Dropped & Why

Compared to last week, more transactions occurred in the NFBC’s Main Event on Sunday. I’m seeing a few more borderline starters and hitters being dropped which normally would be kept. I wonder if teams are hoarding potential closers and aren’t able to roster as many replacement level talents.

Injured

• Evan Longoria (25): He was likely picked up for the four games in Colorado but a foot injury put him on the IL and WW.
• Gregory Polanco (17): He hit a snag in his shoulder rehab and has been shut down.
• Curt Casali (17): Injured catchers are rarely worth rostering.
• Chris Taylor (16): A broken forearm means he’s out four to six weeks.
• Tyler Glasnow (15): He reaggravated a forearm injury and has been shut down for a couple of weeks.
• Spencer Turnbull (14): A back injury will put him on the IL and there is also talk the Tigers may have him on an innings limit.
• Ryan Zimmerman (11): Plantar fasciitis is a bitch.
• Austin Voth (10): With limited benches, teams can’t even afford to wait a week for Voth to return.
• Miguel Rojas (10); A strained shoulder and limited talent put him on the waiver wire.

Demoted

• Bryse Wilson (27): Demoted to the minors after struggling in the majors (6.75 ERA).
• Framber Valdez (21): He could not cut it as a starter (8.10 ERA) and has been demoted back to AAA.
• Willie Calhoun (10): Back to the Minors. Sounds like a country song.

Other

• Nick Pivetta (24): He’s transitioning to the bullpen.
• Franklin Barreto (24): Major league pitching is dominating his ass as seen by his .139/.162/.333 slash line. Jurickson Profar is reclaiming his old job by starting four of the last five games.
• Jesse Chavez (21): Over his first 34 appearances, he had a 3.18 ERA. Over the last for starts, it’s 10.59 ERA and off to the bullpen, he goes.
• Michael Brosseau (15): Owners are dropping my man crush. He struggled at the plate (.294 OPS in 17 PA) but is still hitting .309/.333/.618 on the season. I becoming less sold on him but Joey Wendle (.545 OPS) continues to struggle at the plate.
• Adam Plutko (14): It was an OK two-start week for him (4.38 ERA, 0 Wins, 5 K’s) but he’s just too homer prone (four in the two games).
• Logan Allen (13): He’s been horrible. 7.08 ERA. 4.0 BB/9. Only a 5.8 K/9. His ERA estimators are just under 5.00.
• Trent Thornton (13): Owners got thrashed by is two-step (4 IP, 18.69 ERA, 2.77 WHIP, and 3 K’s).
• Pablo Sandoval (13): The games in Denver are over and so is the demand for the Panda.
• Joshua James (12): His fastball velocity dropped 3 mph in his last relief appearance. I’m not sure why he was rostered to begin with. He was Houston’s 7th inning reliever with little chance of starting. The previous week, he saw in ownership jump. I’m not 100% why.
• Colin Poche (11): A 17% groundball rate means over 80% of the batted balls he allows will be in the air. With MLB’s happy fun ball, he’s going to be homer prone (2.2 HR/9, 19% HR/FB%).
• A.J. Minter (11): Luke Jackson seems to have locked up the Braves closer’s role while Minter has a 13.50 ERA so far in the second half.
• Mike Zunino (10): Travis d’Arnaud has taken over the primary catching duties in Tampa. And Zunino only has a .554 OPS.