Who is Being Dropped & Why (Week 18)

Holy smokes, what a list of players to go over this week. While those who play in shallower leagues than the Main Event might not be impressed, the available talent is significantly better than the most recent options. The players are more than just a bunch of injured or demoted guys. It’s a good week to look into the past week’s drops for a few bargains.

For this weekly feature, I use the NFBC Main Event because of the number of identical leagues. Additionally, the managers stay engaged longer on the whole since each spent $1700 per team. I tried to find that sweet spot between the obvious and bizarre drops and will focus on players dropped in seven to ten leagues. Previously the number was six to nine, but I adjusted with the Main Event adding four leagues since I did the report.

Hitters

Bobby Dalbec (10): A 38% K% is limiting his offensive production (.214/.261/.396) and his regular playing time may be coming to an end with the addition of Kyle Schwarber and the promotion of Franchy Cordero (the last four of his starts were at first base). A reasonable drop since he’s a replacement-level talent with playing time concerns.

Stephen Vogt (10): Seems like another catcher who is being streamed depending on the match-up or who is on a hot streak.

Gavin Lux (10): He’s currently on the IL with a hamstring strain and with the addition of Trea Turner, he doesn’t have a position when he returns since he’s been hitting like a replacement-level bat (.227/.307/.349).

Jesús Sánchez (9): He’s been an OK hitter (.265/.315/.434) but is currently on the COVID-IL.

Alex Dickerson (9): With several players coming off the IL and the addition of Kris Bryant, Dickerson’s playing time has dried up. He’s been hitting for some power (.222/.289/.425, 11 HR), but that about it.

Joey Wendle (9): He has started in four of nine games since Nelson Cruz has joined the team. He would be a fine option (.277/.334/.445 with 7 HR and 6 SB) in deeper leagues if he was getting the playing time.

Odúbel Herrera (9): He’s a fine, boring hitter (.243/.297/.392 with 7 HR and 4 SB) and has been performing a bit better since coming off the IL (.257/.325/.400). An available accumulator.

Vidal Bruján (8): Demoted to AAA almost two weeks ago. A few owners must have been hoping for a return.

Bradley Zimmer (8): He has started only in six of the last 10 games and has not differentiated himself (.687 OPS) from Myles Straw (.670 OPS) and Oscar Mercado (.646 OPS). The three of them look to be splitting two outfield positions with Harold Ramirez (.722) in left field.

Brian Goodwin (8): While he was a regular, his playing time might dry up with Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert to soon join the team full-time. He’s still likely to see some at-bats (.248/.335/.453 with 6 HR) but it won’t be enough to maintain his fantasy value.

Bobby Bradley (8):  While he’s on 40 HR pace (11 HR in 42 games), his batting average is a sink (.200 AVG, 35% K%). He was on the bereavement list over the weekend.

Elvis Andrus (7): After turning around his season in June (.278/.317/.381 with 4 SB), he regressed into a replacement level bat in July (.644 OPS). He’s only rosterable in the deepest of leagues for a chance of a few steals.

Keston Hiura (7): Demoted again to AAA after hitting .184/.279/.263 in July.

Kevin Kiermaier (7): He’s such a bad hitter (.230/.288/.323 with 2 HR and 7 SB) that it’s surprising he was rostered at all. With Manuel Margot off the IL, Kiermaier is even more useless since he’ll be playing fewer games each week.

Starters

Ranger Suárez (10): After being a middle reliever and closer this season, he’s now in the Phillies rotation. His first start was last night where he threw three shutout innings on 33 pitches. For him to be a viable starter, the pitch count will be a key factor in order to record a Win. The biggest obstacle to him being a reliable starter is a second non-fastball besides his change (21% SwStr%, 53% GB%). He’s flashed a slider (6% usage, 11 SwStr%) at times.

Alec Mills (10): He’s been better since coming off the IL in mid-June. Before the IL stint (back), he had a 5.96 ERA, 5.2 K/9, and 1.46 WHIP. Since returning, he has a 3.76 ERA, 7.5 K/9, and 1.40 WHIP. A better streaming option than his season-long stats suggest.

Vince Velasquez (9): He was headed to the bullpen with Ranger Suarez joining the rotation. Since the demotion, he’s been placed on the IL (blister).

José Suarez (9): While being lights out as a reliever (1.98 ERA), he’s struggled (5.82 ERA) since going the rotation. He’s not been able to navigate a lineup for a second and especially a third time (2.25 ERA 1st TTO, 3.68 ERA 2nd TTO, 32.40 ERA 3rd TTO). He does have three pitches (fastball-change-curve), but the curve is below average (10% SwStr%).

Triston McKenzie (8): While he has been striking out batters (11.2 K/9), the rest of his season-long stats are a disaster (6.11 ERA, 2.0 HR/9, 6.4 BB/9). He’s not been much better after being recalled from AAA (5.57 ERA, 8.6 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, 2.6 HR/9). I’d like him to be good, but he has not been able to string a few good starts together.

Matthew Boyd (8): On the IL (triceps), but will be starting a rehab assignment soon.

Brad Keller (8): His results were great in July with a 2.28 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while increasing the use of his slider.

Additionally, in July he dropped his walk rate to 3.3 BB/9 (4.7 BB/9 before July). Even though he got BABIP’ed to death in his last start (.545 BABIP vs Toronto), he didn’t walk any batters. As starting options dry up, he’s a possible streamer against weak-hitting teams.

Chris Paddack (7): He has not been good (5.13 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) and is now on the IL (oblique). He’s really struggled out of the stretch this season. The league has a 33% LOB% with runners on base while he’s at 6.4%. I’m not a mechanic’s expert, but he might be too hittable out of the stretch (.719 OPS with base empty, .857 OPS with a runner on) and that’s leading to his struggles.

Relievers

Mike Mayers (8): Some managers were gambling that Raisel Iglesias would get traded and Mayers would take over the Angels’ closer role. They lost.

Giovanny Gallegos (7): A great reliever (2.45 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 10.3 K/9), but became expendable with several new closers coming on the market after the trade deadline.