The Cut List (Week 25): Time to Let Go?

Welcome to Week 25 of the Cut List. This week I’m taking a look at Adam Jones, Carlos Gonzalez, Odubel Herrera, and Starlin Castro.

All four players should be cut in most standard shallow formats. We’re in the thick of the fantasy playoff season and we need to own players who are actually producing results. These four players are not.

Want some waiver wire advice to make up for those necessary cuts? Make sure you check out our waiver wire blog for the best pickup consultation around.

Time to Move On

Adam Jones (OF/DH, BAL)

Cut in 10-team leagues

Why you should cut him: Jones isn’t producing on the worst team in baseball, so there’s little-to-reason for him to be owned in the final weeks of the season. Playoff fantasy baseball comes down to who’s riding hot streaks and who’s not. You want to be quick on the draw when it comes to acquiring surging players and dropping slumping ones. On top of his low ceiling output at this time of year, the Orioles have been benching Jones in favor of their younger player lately. Look elsewhere if you still own him.

Better OF/DH option: Hunter Renfroe, Trey Mancini

Carlos Gonzalez (OF, COL)

Cut in 12-team leagues

Why you should cut him: Since July, Gonzalez has only hit two home runs and 12 RBI. For whatever reason he’s still owned in 55% of ESPN leagues, but that number is shrinking by the day. If you’re still holding on, please let him loose and add a better player. There should be plenty better options available in your league. I like Ben Zobrist as a replacement option, assuming he might be available in a standard league.

Better OF options: Ben Zobrist

Odubel Herrera (OF, CIN)

Cut in 10-team leagues

Why you should cut him: Just like Carlos Gonzalez, Herrera only has two home runs since July, but to make things even worse, he only has two two-hit games since July. He has four hits, four runs, zero home runs, and zero RBI in September. He’s still owned in 71% of ESPN. For the love of all that’s holy, jettison Herrera and pick up a hot bat or arm before it’s too late.

Better OF options: Mallex Smith

Starlin Castro (2B, MIA)

Cut in 12-team leagues

Why you should cut him: It isn’t so much that Castro is a poor option in standard leagues, just that there are a few surging second basemen that ought to be owned instead of him. Jeff McNeil and Adalberto Mondesi are examples of what I mean when I suggest adding hot players and dumping streaky “name guys” like Castro and Adam Jones. Buy the production, not the name. Add McNeil or Mondesi as soon as possible. You’ll want one of the guys on your team as we conclude the season.

Better 2B option: Jeff McNeil, Adalberto Mondesi

Update on Last Week’s Cuts

Brian Dozier (2B, LAD)

• 1-for-11, 2 runs, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB since September 9

Dee Gordon (2B/OF, SEA)

• 3-for-12, 0 runs, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB since September 9

Billy Hamilton (OF, CIN)

• 6-for-14, 3 runs, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB since September 9

Matt Olson (1B, OAK)

• 6-for-19, 2 runs, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB since September 9

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