Who is Being Dropped & Why (Week 2)

Another week into the season and another week of drops. I’ve categorized all the drops in 10 or more NFBC Main Event Leagues and some other names I find interesting.

Hurt

• Steven Souza Jr. (27)
• Hunter Strickland (21)
• Andrew Heaney (14)
• Mark Trumbo (12): The 33-year-old is out at least two months and his owners are likely dealing with a roster crunch. On one team, I dropped Justin Upton.
• Corey Knebel (11)
• Elias Diaz (11)

Demoted

• Luis Urias (19): I was a little surprised with all the Urias love coming into the season with his limited skill set. He needs to take a major step forward to be promoted and rosterable.
• Jaime Barria (12)
• Mac Williamson (12): Also dealing with a hand injury.
• Ian Happ (10): Happ can’t hit a fastball so he’s going to have a tough time staying in the majors.

Other

• Zac Rosscup (30): Owners picked him up to get the Win and few strikeouts from the Japan games. Now he’s again useless.
• Mark Melancon (19): Will Smith was designated the closer so Melancon is now expendable.
• Scott Kingery (16): One plate appearance so far this season.
• Lou Trivino (13): Good middle relievers are getting pushed to the side as owners speculate on Saves.
• Tyler Anderson (13): Owners gambled on the Miami start and lost (5 ER in 5 IP).
• Steve Cishek (12); When Pedro Strop returned from injury to close, Cishek’s value diminished.
• Yoshihisa Hirano (11): With Greg Holland getting named the Diamondbacks closer, Hirano’s value dropped. I still think he’s one of the better speculative Save plays.
• Carl Edwards Jr.(10): See Steve Cishek
• Hunter Dozier (10): I’m a little surprised he was in 10 leagues. His fantasy value is about nil.
• Joe Jimenez (10): Shane Greene has the closer’s role for now.
• Lance Lynn (10): The 11.12 ERA is ugly but I see his availability as a buying opportunity. A .409 BABIP and 35% LOB% will lead insane ERA’s. I’d have no problem streaming him in the right matchup.
• Robbie Erlin (10): He loses all fantasy value in the bullpen.
• Trevor Rosenthal (10): Since he’s not closing, he has little value.
• Greg Allen (7): The Indians outfield is horrible and Allen can’t find playing time in it. That says a lot about Allen’s talent.
• Eric Thames (6): He needs to play to have value.
• Merrill Kelly (6): Why exactly the drop? He’s finally starting and owners now have two games this week to evaluate him. At least wait a week before dropping him.
• Ryan Brasier (5): With teams scrambling for saves, I like Brasier’s chances.

Top three pickups (dropped in 10 or more leagues)

1. Hirano
2. Lynn
3. Trumbo