Giancarlo Stanton is one of the most powerful players in the game, but he has also become one of the most fragile.
After missing 39 games in 2012, 46 games in 2013 and 88 in 2015, the 26-year-old already has missed 40 games this season. He has played more than 123 games in a season just twice in seven years.
Yes, his 27 homers and 73 RBIs look nice on paper, but he also is hitting a career-low .241, has his lowest on-base percentage since 2010 and the lowest OPS (.826) of his career. He is striking out 30.2 percent of the time (28.5 percent for his career) and has his lowest line-drive rate (16.5 percent) since 2011.
This is not what was expected from a player with an average draft position of 8.2, according to Fantasypros.com. As we start looking toward next season, Roto Files is hesitant to label him as a keeper, not because he isn’t a fantastic player, but because he isn’t on the field enough to be treated as the cornerstone of your fantasy franchise. Building around an injury-prone player only will hurt your team in the long run.
Whether you still are fighting for the crown or you’re focusing on your upcoming fantasy oil wrestling league, it never is too early to start planning for 2017. Here is a look at some players to consider building around, and some to bury in the foundation:
Daniel Murphy, 1B/2B/3B, Nationals: Always has been a solid hitter, but reaching career-highs in homers (25), RBIs (104), OPS (.987), slugging percentage (.596), doubles (47), triples (five) at the age of 31? No one expected that. Can he do it again? Keep him around and find out.
Brian Dozier, 2B, Twins: 40-plus homers, 100-plus RBIs, double-digit steals and a decent average equals fantasy middle-infield gold.
Trea Turner, 2B/OF, Nationals: He is 23, has a great mix of power and speed (.338, 12 HR, 35 RBI, 27 SB, .926 OPS), plays multiple positions and should be locked up for your team next year and beyond.
DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Rockies: Great season (.349, 11 HR, 66 RBI, .918 OPS), but not a keeper.
Alex Bregman, SS, Astros: A dynasty league keeper, for sure.
Dansby Swanson, SS, Braves: See Bregman.
Kyle Seager, 3B, Mariners: One of the most consistent producers over the past five seasons, who already has hit career-high marks in homers (29), average (.283) and OPS (.877). He is a solid building block.
Todd Frazier, 3B, White Sox: Can’t deny his power or ability to drive in runs, but his batting average (.224) is a scary sight. Throw him back in the pool and redraft him at a better value.
Wilson Ramos, C, Nationals: Living up to his potential, but there are, maybe, three catcher-eligible players worth keeping, and he isn’t one of them.
Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees: One of the three catcher-eligible players worth keeping.
Travis d’Arnaud, C, Mets: Sorry, he just snuck in here from last year.
Wil Myers, 1B/OF, Padres: Second-half fade (.224, nine HR, 31 RBIs, .717 OPS since the All-Star break) makes it hard to recommend keeping him.
Jose Bautista, OF, Blue Jays: Injury-riddled season at the age of 36 while hitting .230 doesn’t bode well for the future.
Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals: Down year for the 2015 MVP (.243, 24 HR, 82 RBIs, .817 OPS, 106 walks), but injuries could have played a role. You can’t let him walk away.
Mark Trumbo, 1B/OF, Orioles: Has proven how valuable he is (.247, 44 HR, 103 RBIs) when healthy. If he stays in Baltimore, he is worth keeping.
Christian Yelich, OF, Marlins: Make him a cornerstone of your outfield now.
Noah Syndergaard, SP, Mets: Double-digit wins, more than 200 strikeouts, an ERA under 3.00 and his nickname is Thor. Not much more to be said, he is a superhero.
Matt Harvey, SP, Mets: Can’t trust drunk Bruce Wayne until he proves he still can fight like Batman.
Jacob deGrom, SP, Mets: Arm surgery makes this a hairy situation. Can’t justify building your rotation around him next year.
Kyle Hendricks, SP, Cubs: Don’t overvalue the 26-year-old. Yes, he is 15-8 with a 2.06 ERA and 161 strikeouts, but his 3.26 FIP and 3.59 xFIP show he has gotten lucky. He will be a top-30 starter next year, but Roto Files is not willing to bet the farm on him just yet.
J.A. Happ, SP, Blue Jays: Anytime you can get 20-plus wins from a pitcher with an ADP higher than 300, it is a great move. You just can’t bank on this happening again next year.
Rick Porcello, SP, Red Sox: See Happ.
Chris Archer, SP, Rays: Despite his 228 strikeouts, he still is 40-51 with a 3.51 ERA for his career. That is not a fantasy ace worth building around.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, Nationals: Injuries make him an enigma, but we know what he is capable of when healthy. Roto Files says take the risk and stick with him.
Alex Reyes, SP/RP, Cardinals: A perfect dynasty league keeper.
Yu Darvish, SP, Rangers: Love the 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings and the fact he will be another year removed from Tommy John surgery, but can’t keep him with that career-high ERA (3.81).
Big hits
Asdrubal Cabrera SS, Mets
Entering Saturday night, the veteran was 26-for-76 (.342) with five homers, 11 RBIs, three stolen bases and 15 runs scored in 21 games this month. Since the All-Star break, he is hitting .316 with 10 homers, 26 RBIs, four stolen bases and a .941 OPS.
Collin McHugh SP, Astros
He has won five of his past six starts, going 5-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 29 strikeouts. He has walked just 11 in his past 33 innings and held opponents to a .230 average.
Khris Davis OF, Athletics
Has been on one of his hot stretches, going 10-for-32 (.313) with five homers, 13 RBIs and a 8:8: strikeout:walk ratio over his past nine games entering Saturday night.
Sean Rodriguez 1B/2B/SS/3B, Pirates
In his first 20 games this month, the versatile 31-year-old is 19-for-57 (.333) with six homers, 16 RBIs, seven runs scored and a 1.065 OPS.
Big whiffs
Jay Bruce OF, Mets
Has just eight hits in 51 at-bats this month, with two homers, five RBIs and 14 strikeouts. Since joining the Mets on Aug. 2, the former Red has seen his average drop from .262 to .239 and has four homers, 11 RBIs, 41 strikeouts and a .536 OPS.
Carlos Rodon SP, White Sox
After going 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA in seven starts from Aug. 6-Sept. 9, he is 0-2 with a 12.00 ERA, nine strikeouts and a .395 opponent average over his past two starts.
C.J. Cron, 1B/DH, Angels
In 14 games since hitting a homer on Sept. 8, the 26-year-old is 11-for-50 (.220) with no homers, five RBIs, 13 strikeouts, three runs scored and a .578 OPS.
Doug Fister SP, Astros
The 32-year-old has lost four of his last six decisions, going 0-4 with a 9.35 ERA, a .381 opponent average and an ugly 12:11 strikeout:walk ratio in that span.
Quick hits
- Enigma of the month: Jonathan Villar has five homers, nine RBIs, 11 walks and eight stolen bases (four in his last six games), but he is hitting .167 with a .719 OPS.
- Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph quietly is having a nice season, hitting .260 with 21 homers, 45 RBIs and a .825 OPS in 100 games. He is 16-for-50 with four homers, 11 RBIs and a 1.026 OPS in 19 games this month.
- Ubaldo Jimenez has been a reliable fantasy option this month, going 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA, .172 opponent average and 26 strikeouts over four starts. This should come as no surprise as the right-handed hurler is 22-15 with a 3.38 ERA in 54 career September appearances (his best of any month).
- Jeanmar Gomez surprisingly has accumulated 37 saves this season, but this has not been his month. He is 0-2 with a 16.20 ERA, two blown saves and a .459 opponent average. Keep Hector Neris within reach down the stretch, and rename your team Neris Bueller’s Day Off.
Team name of the week
Leave it to Weaver