Welcome back, one last time in 2017, to the Cut List. With the season coming to a close next weekend, almost any player who isn’t helping your cause could justifiably be considered a cut in redraft leagues. That makes this final installment somewhat more challenging, and necessitates a minor tweak in format. Instead of spotlighting three players, plus another on the hot seat, we’ll be looking at five players who should be cut loose for the final week.
Without further ado, here are your Week 26 cut candidates. Good luck, and thanks for reading all season.
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The Cut List: Week 26
Jake Lamb, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
Last season, Lamb faded badly in the second half, at least partly thanks to a hand injury that sapped his power and bat speed. There’s no reported injury this time around, but the 26-year-old has pulled a similar post-break disappearing act in 2017. Lamb has hit just .198/.322/.381 in the second half. When he homered on Wednesday, it was the first time he had done so in a month. These struggles have led to him hitting in the bottom third of the order the past four games, after being a fixture in the middle of the lineup all season.
George Springer, OF, Houston Astros
Springer, who just turned 28 a few days ago, is having a career year. He’s already set a new best in home runs (32), eclipsed 100 runs scored for the second straight season, and carries a career-best .284 batting average into the final week. But the star outfielder did almost all of his damage in the first half of the season. Springer entered the break hitting .310/.380/.613 with 27 homers and 138 R+RBI. Since, he’s slashed .238/.339/.357 with just five dingers and 45 R+RBI in 50 games. He might just need a few games off – and he could very well get them with the Astros having already clinched the division.
Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
Seager has been battling a few nagging injuries lately, and they’ve clearly taken a toll on his performance. The 23-year-old has put up a pathetic .189/.254/.283 line and missed a handful of games in September. The Dodgers have clinched the NL West, so it would be surprising if they don’t sit Seager more often than not next week to help him heal up for the postseason.
James Paxton, SP, Seattle Mariners
Paxton returned from his second lengthy DL stint of 2017 last week, and he hasn’t looked sharp. The southpaw has managed just five innings in two starts (both losses), allowing five runs on eight hits and issuing four free passes. He’ll finish his season on Tuesday with a start on the road against the Athletics, who have been among the better offensive clubs in baseball since the break. The Mariners are all but eliminated from playoff contention, so there’s no reason to expect anything other than a short leash for their best long-term asset.
Gerrit Cole, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Cole has been racking up strikeouts of late, but that hasn’t translated to increased effectiveness. After a rough outing on Saturday in a loss to the Reds, Cole has now allowed four or more runs in six of his last eight starts. While it’s true that he totaled 15 shutout frames in the other two appearances, that sort of volatility makes him difficult to trust in the zero hour.
Last Week
Yasmani Grandal hit a solo home run on Tuesday, but managed just two other hits. He’s likely to see the bench more often than usual in the final week with the Dodgers locked into a playoff spot.
Mike Moustakas’s homer on Wednesday was his 37th of the year, but just his second since August 15.
Jon Lester laid an egg against Tampa Bay, allowing seven runs in 4 1/3 innings. Eleven batters reached, and Lester failed to strike anyone out.
Chris Archer, on the other hand, shook off his recent struggles with a quality start against the Cubs: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.
More Week 26 Lineup Prep