Welcome back to the Weekly Mailbag! This is an opportunity to ask a FantasyPros analyst anything about the ongoing season so managers can make the best and most informed decisions possible. Readers will find previous questions from fantasy managers below.
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Fantasy Baseball Mailbag
What are we doing with Jackson Holliday?
We should be concerned about Jackson Holliday. His stats are horrid. His advanced numbers look just as bad. I do not doubt he will turn it around, but fantasy teams can’t roster an offensive black hole while in last place.
Managers could trade Holliday to other managers, but I’m not sure anyone would provide much value in return.
Even some Orioles fans are calling to send Holliday down. I do not blame managers who drop Holliday, especially given their team’s circumstances.
I think fantasy teams close to the top of the standings should hold Holliday on the bench, but teams falling to the bottom of the rankings may want to consider dropping the top prospect. Just remember that it takes a while to figure out MLB pitching. Holliday is just 20 years old.
Is Francisco Alvarez droppable in redraft leagues?
Yes. Francisco Alvarez’s injury was horrible news. He is not expected to return until mid-June.
Alvarez isn’t such a valuable catcher that he is worth holding for 6-8 weeks in redraft. There are likely catchers of similar talent on waivers.
Is it time to drop Maikel Garcia?
Maikel Garcia has been cold lately, batting just .198 in the last week (at the time of writing this). However, he has begun to wake up after a dreadful 0-20 slump.
The third baseman historically hits for a high batting average. Garcia also has the potential to steal a couple of bases. Additionally, Garcia has more power this year and has already matched his 2023 home run total with four long balls.
It is not crazy to say Garcia has 20-20 potential. Hold him, especially as he heats up again.
Is Triston Casas droppable? Or a stash on the injured list (IL)?
Managers should hold Triston Casas for now. At least wait until a timetable for return is in place.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora says the injury will leave Casas “out a while,” but it is uncertain just how long “a while” will be.
Casas is good, but he isn’t so good managers must keep him under any circumstance. If he is injured until the All-Star Break and a team is out of IL spots, do not regret dropping the first baseman.
Pick up Joey Loperfido?
Only in a very, very deep league.
I love to see the home runs Joey Loperfido has been hitting and his ability to steal some bases, but I’m not sure he holds that much value in a redraft. In a dynasty league, maybe managers can reconsider.
It is uncertain when Loperfido will get called up. I prefer to roster high-potential players already in the MLB or closer to their promotion.
Is Kirby Yates or James McArthur the pickup for saves?
Kirby Yates. Closer is a position where the player’s team matters a lot. It is better to have the closer for the reigning World Series champions.
Plus, James McArthur struggled in his first appearances this year. Yates has looked good in almost every appearance and has yet to allow a run. I have more confidence in the veteran.
Will Michael Wacha keep doing well?
Michael Wacha has been a confusing pitcher, to say the least. In 2022 and 2023, he has had an xERA a full run over his actual result.
I know the fancy metrics hate Wacha, but he hasn’t given a reason to be disliked after continued positive results. Something to monitor is that Wacha recently allowed 10 hits and five runs to the Mets, but he bounced back with a quality start against the (admittedly easy) White Sox.
I predict Wacha will continue to be a good rotation piece in deep leagues. Worst case scenario, managers can drop Wacha if he stops performing.
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