Since 2008, Robinson Cano and Dustin Pedroia have been among the best second basemen, the cream of the fantasy crop. They were easily two of the most kept players, largely because their production was vastly better than everyone else at the position.
All good things, however, must come to an end, and Roto Files believes the time has come to remove both 32-year-old middle infielders from your list of perennial keepers.
Cano has had a tough second season in Seattle, suffering his lowest batting average (.279) since 2008, his lowest RBI tally (65) since 2005 and his lowest OPS, on-base and slugging percentages since 2008. His power numbers continue to suffer, as does his fantasy value.
Pedroia hasn’t been putting up terrible numbers (.295, 12 homers, 42 RBIs, .812 OPS), he just hasn’t stayed on the field long enough to make those numbers count.
Cano and Pedroia always will be big-name players who will continue to provide you with solid numbers, but not the numbers you need from those you plan to build around. Name recognition doesn’t win titles, and just because they helped you in the past, doesn’t mean they will be helpful in the same way in the future.
Whether you’re still fighting for the title or already setting up your fantasy curling league, it never is too early to start planning for 2016. Here are players to consider building your team around, and some to avoid:
Kyle Schwarber, C/OF, Cubs: In his first 57 games, he had 16 homers, 42 RBIs, a .886 OPS and a decent .251 batting average. If there’s a player who qualifies as a catcher who should be kept, this is your man.
Travis d’Arnaud, C, Mets: We will talk after he proves he can stay healthy for a full season.
Joey Votto, 1B, Reds: He’s hitting .313 with 27 homers, 73 RBIs, a 1.011 OPS and 11 stolen bases (his most since 2010). He has also walked (132) more than he has struck out (116). He’s worth keeping.
Carlos Santana, 1B/3B, Indians: You would be better off keeping the Carlos Santana who sings “Oye Como Va.”
Devon Travis, 2B, Blue Jays: The rookie hit .304 with eight homers, 35 RBIs and three stolen bases in 239 at-bats before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. With Toronto being the offensive juggernaut it is, Travis coming back to that lineup is quite intriguing.
Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers: In Seager’s first 14 big-league games, he has hit .412 with two homers, 10 RBIs and stolen two bases. He is the future for the Dodgers, and should be the future for your fantasy team.
Carlos Correa, SS, Astros: See Corey Seager.
Maikel Franco, 3B, Phillies: In 77 games, he hit .277 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs. His slugging percentage (.490), on-base percentage (.340) and OPS (.830) all would rank among the top third baseman, and better than some of the bigger named third basemen (Kris Bryant and Nolan Arenado to name two).
Miguel Sano, 3B/UTIL, Twins: If you have read this column over the past several months, you know Roto Files believes this is a no-brainer.
A.J. Pollock, OF, D’backs: He entered the season as the 52nd ranked outfielder, and now he is hitting .316 with 17 homers, 67 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. He is among the top outfielders in almost every statistical category.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies: The only way he should not be kept is if he suffers some crazy offseason injury or is traded (hitting just .235 away from home Coors Field).
Lorenzo Cain, OF, Royals: Has career highs in homers (16), RBIs (68), batting average (.308), runs scored (95), OBP (.365), slugging percentage (.489) and OPS (.854). He also steals bases (27).
Carlos Martinez, SP, Cardinals: He pitched a career-high number of innings before the All-Star break (107 1/3), so his shaky second half (3-4, 3.86 ERA) isn’t too concerning.
Chris Archer, SP, Rays: He has a career-high 12 wins to go with a career-low 2.95 ERA and a career-high 243 strikeouts (in 198 1/3 innings). He’s your ace for the future.
Jeff Samardzija, SP, White Sox: Not even the people at Scripps want to keep him. Get it? Because his last name is hard to spell and they run spelling bees. Ah, forget it (and him, for that matter)!
Yu Darvish, SP, Rangers: It’s a risk, but Harvey was stashed last year to positive results this year. No reason Darvish can’t return from Tommy John surgery next season and be just as effective.
Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, SP, Mets: If you have any one of these three studs, keep them. You can also consider Steven Matz.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, Nationals: Despite the injuries, there are some pitchers you keep despite the fact they never live up to their true ace potential. Going into Sunday’s start, he’s 4-2 with a 2.38 ERA and 62 strikeouts over his past seven starts. Do you feel comfortable letting numbers like that go to another team?
Lance McCullers, SP, Astros: Late season struggles shouldn’t be a concern with a 21-year-old pitcher who never has pitched this many innings (139 2/3 — minors and majors combined).
Big hits
Ervin Santana SP, Twins
The most added pitcher in ESPN leagues this week hasn’t lost since Aug. 19, and is 3-0 with a 1.55 ERA, 32 strikeouts and just eight walks over his past four starts.
J.P. Arencibia C, Rays
This is the type of red-hot player people should be jumping on for the playoffs. In his first 18 games with the Rays, the 29-year-old is 17-for-48 (.354) with five homers, 15 RBIs and a 1.089 OPS. He was the most added player in ESPN leagues this week.
Mark Canha OF, A’s
The rookie has produced solid numbers in his first 39 games since Aug. 1, hitting .299 with seven homers, 31 RBIs, two stolen bases and a .860 OPS.
Jake Peavy SP, Giants
The second-most added pitcher in ESPN leagues this week is 4-0 with a 3.52 ERA with 22 strikeouts and a .217 opponents average over his last five starts.
Big whiffs
Drew Hutchison SP, Blue Jays
After going 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA in August, the 25-year-old has looked more like himself this month. In two starts this month, Hutchison has allowed five homers in 8 1/3 innings while going 0-2 with a 12.96 ERA and a .385 opponents average.
Drew Storen RP, Nationals
Storen has been a disaster since Jonathan Papelbon came to town, going 1-2 with a 7.13 ERA and three blown saves. He has allowed 16 runs and has hit three batters.
Brandon Moss 1B/OF, Cardinals
Since joining the Cardinals on July 30, he is 27-for-109 (.248) with four homers, eight RBIs and a .766 OPS. In the nine games before Saturday’s action, he was hitting .172 with just five hits.
Derek Holland SP, Rangers
After going 3-0 with a 2.15 ERA in four starts from Aug. 19-Sept. 5, the lefty is 0-1 with a 7.11 ERA and .358 opponents batting average over his last two starts.
Quick hits
- Clayton Kershaw’s ridiculous second half continues to get more and more ridiculous. In 11 starts before taking the mound Saturday, the left-hander was 8-0 with a 1.06 ERA, a 0.694 WHIP and 104 strikeouts over 85 innings. He had walked just 11 batters, allowed just 11 runs and had not lost since June 27.
- Speaking of pitchers who have been having quality second halves, Jose Quintana quietly has been producing solid numbers. In his starts, the 26-year-old lefty is 5-1 with a 3.09 ERA and 63 strikeouts. He hasn’t lost since Aug. 15.
- If your playoff lineup still has Jacoby Ellsbury in an outfield or utility spot, chances are you’re in the consolation bracket … or you’re in a four-team league that counts negative stats as positives. Entering Saturday’s games, he was 8-for-59 (.136) with no homers, no RBIs, one stolen base and a disgraceful .300 OPS in 15 games this month.
Team name of the week
The Quicker Picker Upton