The end of the first week of the fantasy baseball season also means the end of the obligatory experiment with players you thought were going to be superstars. It’s not uncommon for guys to start the year off in a bit of a slump, but there is a fine line between knowing someone is going to break out of it and putting false hope into someone who was incredible for your team in years passed. Without further ado, here are the Top-five players you may want to cut loose from your ever-sinking fantasy ship.
5. Paul Konerko, First Base, Chicago White Sox
It’s hard to write-off a guy who has been hitting at or around .300 for three-straight years, but at some point what goes up must also come down. After the first week of the season Paul Konerko is batting a dismal .100 with one run batted in. Around this time last season, his average was well up over .407 with an on base plus slugging percentage of 1.096. Konerko is now 37-years-old and in the twilight of his career. Now would be an ideal time to pick up someone more reliable.
4. R.A. Dickey, Starting Pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays
Even thought R.A. Dickey took home the National League Cy Young award in 2012 with the New York Mets, there was a great deal of risk the Toronto Blue Jays looked over when pulling the trigger that brought him to the Rogers Centre. For starters Dickey’s career record at the ballpark was at 2-3 with a 6.11 earned run average. His current record stands at 0-2 with an 8.44 earned run average and 1.98 walks and hits per innings pitched, both of which have come at home. It’s tough to tell whether or not the knuckleballer’s bad fortune will continue on the road, but now would be the ideal time to deal him for something more consistent and attractive.
3. Pedro Alvarez, Third Base, Pittsburgh Pirates
Pedro Alvarez has been an attractive pickup for the last three years; however, the vast majority of his numbers have always come after the All-Star break. Alvarez is currently slumping hard with a .091 batting average and one run batted in. Right now would be a great time to drop him and pick up a much more reliable bat off of the waver wire until the middle of July.
2. B.J. Upton, Outfield, Atlanta Braves
Will the real B.J. Upton please stand up?! The smaller half of the Upton tandem is off to a rough start so far in 2013, but what has really been different in his career? B.J. had a powerful 2012 campaign, swatting 28 home runs and plating 78 runners; however, this was all in a contract year. Fantasy owners and the Atlanta Braves both looked over this “small” detail when pick him up in the offseason. What everyone failed to see is that his consistancy at the plate has been diminishing every year since 2007 when he hit .300 in 129 games for the only time in his career. B.J. has been averaging 144 games per season since 2008 and only hit about .247 one time. He is currently hitting .150. The best suggestion would be to either bench him until he heats up or find someone more reliable.
1. Ryan Howard, First Base, Philadelphia Phillies
Ryan Howard looked like a solid 11th or 12th round pickup at first; however, his .167 batting average without a single home run is starting to make it look like a wasted pick. The former Rookie of the Year and NL Most Valuable Player has had a rough go of things since tearing his Achilles tendon in the final game of the National League Divisional Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Last season Howard hit a career low .219 with 14 home runs and is currently on pace for the same results. As sad it is to see his career take such a quick downward turn, there’s really no point in letting him keep you from winning your league.