This week marks the middle of June, and the baseball season has about 100 games remaining. Of course, the fantasy playoffs begin in September. Many managers might be in a position to have to decide what roster moves to make or the postseason might be lost forever. Several articles, including many from me, have recommended players to select off the wire. To make that work, though, someone has to be let go. That is where this fantasy baseball waivers drops edition will help clear up any confusion.

DJ LeMahieu, 1B/2B/3B, New York Yankees

The very first player to discuss is DJ LeMahieu. When one plays for the best-known baseball team on the planet and not hitting well, it is more noticeable than some other players, you would think. However, given his ownership rate, that statement may not be true. Over 50 percent owned, LeMahieu simply isn’t returning that kind of value for his fantasy managers.

Even two hits on Friday against Boston can’t disguise the fact that LeMahieu is having a down season at the plate. As of Monday morning, his batting line of .236-6-21 simply won’t cut it, especially in shallower leagues. There has to be plenty of options that over the last week have out hit LeMahieu’s paltry .200-0-0. Let this sink in for a moment: no home runs, no runs scored, and no RBIs.

In fact, LeMahieu hasn’t driven in a run since May 27th. It has been since June 3rd since he scored a run. Even worse, he has shown he can strike out in bunches, as he fanned three times in consecutive games against the Dodgers. His ability to play all over the infield can’t disguise he simply doesn’t cut it with the bat anymore. Simply stated, LeMahieu most be sent to waiver purgatory, the sooner the better.

James Outman, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

As a Dodger fan and someone who proclaimed he was the Rookie of the Year earlier this season, it pains me to include James Outman on this fantasy baseball drop candidates list. However, it must be done as Outman has almost completely disappeared in recent weeks. Since May 27th, Outman has produced a hit in a game only four times. In that same time frame, he has all of two RBIs. Further, Outman isn’t even hitting the ball consistently, as he has three strikeouts in his last two games.

Without question, it is a deep fall for someone who lit up the baseball world in April like a roman candle. Unfortunately, those days seem like a distant memory. Those in 12 or shallower leagues can certainly find outfield help if it is needed on the roster. Allow Outman to regain his swing on the waiver wire and away from your fantasy team until he does so.

Patrick Sandoval, SP, Los Angeles Angels

There have been many times this season that I have recommended a starting pitcher lined up to face the Kansas City Royals. I cannot, however, in good conscience do the same for a pitcher who has given up 11 runs on 18 hits in his last 8.1 innings. In this case, that pitcher is Patrick Sandoval. Even more dismal is the fact that he has been the losing pitcher in five straight starts. Further, Sandoval hasn’t gotten past the sixth in his last four appearances and failed to reach the fifth twice.

Not convinced yet? Here’s his fantasy points production in his last four games: 3, -8, 4 and a big, fat zero. Obviously, he isn’t providing worth, regardless of the fantasy format. I could bust out a lot of other stats on Sandoval, but it should be clear that needs to be included on this fantasy baseball waivers drops edition.

Josiah Gray, SP, Washington Nationals

Unlike the other players listed here, Josiah Gray isn’t recommended as a drop candidate because of performance. In fact, except for having issues with bases on balls, Gray has pitched well. Over his past 12 starts, Gray has allowed more than three runs only once. One problem that has surfaced recently is after reaching the sixth inning or later in four of five starts, Gray has reached that far only once in his last four.

However, that is not the reason for his inclusion on this fantasy baseball waiver drops list. No, Gray’s name is here because of who he faces on Wednesday, which is the Astros in Houston. For sure, Gray pitches for one of the worst teams in baseball. Asking a player like that to deliver solid fantasy numbers in that hitting Mecca is simply asking too much.

As he is owned in only 16.5 percent of ESPN leagues, he can easily be picked back up again after the start. Doing so is exactly what is recommended here.

Jameson Taillon, SP, Chicago Cubs

For those fantasy managers that still have Jameson Taillon on their fantasy rosters, there is only one relevant question: why? Through his last seven appearances, Taillon has pitched decently in only one of them. In the others, spanning 22.2 innings, Taillon has allowed 25 earned runs. He has won a single game all season against four losses.

Incredibly, that is not the worst of it. Taillon has one of the highest ERAs in the league, currently checking in at an ugly 7.02 with an equally horrible 1.54 WHIP. His H9 and BB9 are the worst of his career. We are just about to the middle of June, and he has only 53 fantasy points. Need I go on?

To be honest, anywhere you look, there is nothing but destruction. It makes no difference the size or type of league you are in. Taillon must be sent far away from any and all fantasy rosters.

Brian Anderson, 3B/OF, Milwaukee Brewers

 For the most part, when a player gets a pickup off waivers recommendation, it isn’t meant to be for the long haul. Certainly, they aren’t meant to be on rosters for the entire season. No player makes that more crystal clear than Brian Anderson. Many weeks ago, Anderson was targeted for a callup from the waiver jungle. Now that we are in the middle of June, he needs to disappear completely from fantasy rosters.

 Without doubt, no other judgment can be reached for a player that in his last 12 games, has driven in a run in only two of them. Further, in his last seven games, he has crossed the plate only one. Even worse, in his last 14 games, he has suffered at least one strikeout in ten of them and had two or more in five. In the last seven days, Anderson has hit all of .200. For the season, his average is a frost bitten .229.

The Brewers as a team are playing subzero baseball, having just been swept at home by the lowly Oakland A’s. You might have to search far and wide to find a Milwaukee player that could be recommended off waivers at this point. Clearly, Anderson isn’t one of them. If currently on your roster, do yourself and your team a favor and send him packing as soon as you are done reading this article.

Patrick Wisdom, 3B, Chicago Cubs

Last, but not least, the fantasy baseball waivers drops edition turns its attention to Patrick Wisdom. There was a time in the distant past when Wisdom was tied for the most homers in the National League. For all intents and purposes, that power has been striped clean. Wisdom hasn’t hit a home run since May 28th.

Forget about power, Wisdom hasn’t been hitting the ball, period. Since that date, he is in the midst of a terrible slump, having gone 2-31. Even worse, Wisdom’s bat hasn’t even been in the same zip code as the ball. In his last six games, he has two or more strikeouts in five.

The last stat that I will use to convince a manager that Wisdom needs to go is this: in his last ten games, Wisdom has earned positive fantasy points in only one game. There has to be a player on the waiver wire that can provide more fantasy relevance than Wisdom. I can’t be any plainer than this: go out and find that player and cut any and all ties with Wisdom. Pronto.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball waivers drops edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news! The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show will be live this coming Sunday night, and every Sunday during the season, at 8 eastern. Make sure to tune in on whatever social platform you use!