Who is Being Dropped & Why (Week 20)

I’m a little more interesting in some of the drops this week. One dynamic that might be in play is that there are more dead teams and therefore the demand for rosterable waiver wire options is down.

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

Luis Garcia (WSH 2B/SS): He continues to start (16 straight games), but is only hitting .213/.262/.410 during that time. I think the 21-year-old has some upside with a decent eye (7% BB%, 18% K%, 110 max EV, 6% Barrel%), but a .230 BABIP is being a drag.

Ramón Urías: An interesting drop. He was on the IL but returned Sunday taking Jorge Mateo’s spot in the lineup. While Urias has a boring fantasy profile (.267/.345/.392 with 5 HR in 197 PA) his career .766 OPS dwarves Mateo’s career .596 OPS. Last week might end up being Mateo’s career week.

Cal Raleigh: He’s not hitting (.477 OPS) and only playing about half the time.

David Dahl: Whoa. The Rangers released Dahl at the start of the month. His fantasy managers had two options to drop him and now they do it. While it’s understandable that some dead teams would still have him rostered, why hold him through two of the busiest weekends? Short bid lists? It’s one of the moves that makes zero sense to me.

Tyrone Taylor: He’s been hitting fine (.249/.328/.459 with 10 HR and 5 SB). There is just too much competition in the Brewers’ outfield with Taylor only starting in two of the last eight games.

Trevor Larnach: Since the All-Star break he’s hitting .167/.275/.205 with a 39% K%. The league adjusted to him and he’s just not adjusted back.

Jack Mayfield: Another player I’m not sure why he was rostered to begin with. The 30-year-old has .671 OPS on the season but I guess those 7 HR are in demand. This is not the 30-year-old breakout you are looking for.

Alec Bohm: It has been a disappointing season for Bohm who has a sub-.100 ISO and just a .660 OPS. Pitchers have found out that he struggles against fastballs since he’s just hitting .185/.250/.285 against them. He’s not going to be in the league long unless he adjusts to the high heat.

Jonah Heim: He’s hitting like a catcher with a .202 AVG and 8 HR in 217 PA. There were likely some better waiver wire options.

Starters

Paolo Espino: In a two-start week, he rewarded his managers with 5 IP, 6 ER (10.80 ERA), 3 K, and a 2.40 WHIP.

Kwang Hyun Kim 김광현: He will spend time on the IL with an inflamed elbow.

Jacob deGrom: Out for a while and managers in need of bench options have moved on to available players.

Kris Bubic: Before yesterday’s blowup (1.1 IP, 7 ER, 9 H, and 2 HR), he had a stretch of five games with a 2.51 ERA (4.50 xFIP) and 1.15 WHIP (4.1 BB/9, .222 BABIP). Regression came hard and fast.

Eli Morgan: He allows too many flyballs (27% GB%, 2.2 HR/9). While his 8.6 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 are completely acceptable, his flyball rate has him with a 6.52 ERA and ERA estimators in the 5.00 range. He’s just living in the middle of the plate (55% Zone%) and allowing a ton of hard contact.

Josh Fleming: He’s been atrocious since the All-Star break with a 10.38 ERA coming from a 4.6 BB/9 and a .443 BABIP. He’s unrosterable until he pieces together a few starts and by then the season might be over.

Merrill Kelly 켈리: A fine streaming option (4.30 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) but is on the COVID-IL.

Taylor Widener: I’m not sure why he was being rostered. He has been bad. Over his last four starts, he has a. 8.66 ERA and 1.87 WHIP. And is now on the IL.

Steven Brault: I’m interested in Brault since he’s got the walks under control this season (1 BB in 9 IP, career 4.6 BB/9). He does have a tough two-step this week against the Dodgers and Cardinals.

Dinelson Lamet: On the IL for his hip and forearm. His season is likely done.

Rich Hill: Since being traded to the Mets, he has a 5.00 with his ERA estimators about a run higher. A 6.0 K/9 and 26% GB% just won’t cut it.

Daniel Lynch: He’s been decent since being recalled at the All-Star break with a 2.66 ERA (4.74 xFIP) and 1.18 WHIP (.254 BABIP). While his walks are down from the first half (5.6 BB/9 to 3.0 BB/9), it’d be great if it dropped another point considering his low strikeout rate (7.2 K/9).

Relievers

Cole Sulser: While Sulser has recorded the last two Saves for Baltimore, they were in July. Managers desperate for Saves will add him next week.

Richard Rodríguez: He’s not getting any Save chances with Atlanta.

Paul Sewald: He’s not getting any Save chances with Seattle.

Jonathan Loaisiga: The Yankees’ closer role is unclear and Chapman should be coming off the IL soon.

Brad Hand: He’s not getting any Save chances with Toronto.

Garrett Richards: He had very little fantasy value and then it got destroyed when he got demoted to the bullpen.