It’s week 10 of the Major League Baseball season. If by now you haven’t cut the dead weight from your team, you pretty much deserve to lose in your league. If at this stage in the game you’re not sure who your dead weight is, well, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a list of the Top-five guys you SHOULND’T have casting a dark cloud over your chances of fantasy baseball dominance.
Justin Ruggiano Miami Marlins OF
It’s kind of shocking to see that Justin Ruggiano is still owned in roughly 16 percent of all leagues, especially when considering the fact the he 1. plays for the Marlins. 2. Is batting .208 on the season. I suppose when you take into account the fact that he has seven stolen bases and eight home runs, one can make an argument; however, he’s only hit one home run in his last 10 games. Last season Ruggiano had a breakout year and was one of then-manager Ozzie Guillen’s favorite guys on the team. This season though, Ruggiano is not cutting the mustard.
Matt Kemp Los Angeles Dodgers OF
Matt Kemp has finally found himself on the DL, probably one to two weeks way later than he should have for a strained right hamstring, a problem he’s been dealing with 2012. Kemp’s offensive numbers have been in limbo dating back to August of last year. So far this season he has only gone yard twice with 17 RBI, way off the pace that a player of his caliber should be posting. Kemp obviously has a lot of potential, but it’s not looking likely that he’ll be able to get back on track to where he was in 2011, nearly reaching the 40 home run / 40 stolen base mark. The best move, find a buyer and trade him for a pitcher or a solid outfield replacement soon.
Chase Headley San Diego Padres 3B
In 2012 Chase Headley made a strong case of the National league MVP award, going .286/31/115. This season however, Headley is looking like he just got called up from AAA as a temporary replacement. Headley has only gone yard five times and knocked in 16 runners. His .236 batting average is a shadow of what he is capable of. To be honest, there are way better options at third base still available on the free agent wire. It might be time to go shopping.
Jeremy Hellickson Tampa Bay Rays SP
Jeremy Hellickson is certainly far removed from the kid who won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2011. This season Hellickson is leading the league in two categories; games started and earned runs. Only one of those marks is a badge of honor, and it’s certainly not the latter. Hellickson is currently sitting on a 3-2 record with a 5.59 ERA in 12 starts thus far. Even though he is capable of being a high strikeout guy, his pitches are not quite finding their marks, and if two months of consistently poor baseball have proved anything, it’s that Hellickson’s misery is only just beginning. Might be time to jump off that crazy train yourself.
Alex Avila Detroit Tigers C
The Detroit Tigers have found themselves in a bit of a rough patch in the catchers spot. First, Victor Martinez wasn’t hitting and now Alex Avila has found himself in a continual funk. In 2011 Avila finished in 12th place for the American League MVP award batting .295 with 19 home runs. Now, Avila’s average (.169) is nearly half of that. Defensively, Avila is a fine catcher; however, most fantasy leagues don’t take defensive numbers into consideration. Avila’s offensive troubles started last season and have only worsened into 2013 with little-to-no sign of improvement. If for some reason you haven’t gotten rid of him, make it happen soon. There are plenty of other catchers available who can at least hit at the Mendoza Line.