One of the harder things to navigate every year is the decision on when to cut a guy loose. Every year, there is at least one guy at each position that gets off to a horrible start. Sometimes, they right the ship. Sometimes they don’t. Here is a look at the guys that have gotten off the slow starts. For our purposes, we are eliminating players that have missed time due to injury, so some obvious players will likely be left off the list. Numbers represent play into Wednesday night

Catcher: Gary Sanchez

Numbers: .202, 12 HR, 32 Runs, 35 RBI, 0 SB 

In some ways he has not been a disappointment. If we project the counting numbers to a full season we find that he would hit around 30 home runs, score around 80 runs, and drive in more than 85. Those are great numbers for catchers, but yet there is that batting average. A .207 BABIP helps explain what has been going on. Given that fact and the fact that he is producing good numbers he is a guy that I would keep around. It might be a good idea to get another catcher to get you through the prolonged slumps.

First Base: Paul Goldschmidt

Numbers: .220, 8 HR, 34 Runs, 20 RBI, 2 SB

Goldschmidt is a first rounder in most leagues, so that makes his struggles that much more egregious. Much like the financial crisis of 2008, Goldy is probably too big to fail. You could trade him and get some value but you almost certainly would get pennies on the dollar. The best bet is to wait around until he finally figures things out. A .298 BABIP doesn’t seem low, but given his .351 career rate that could explain part of what is going on.

Second Base: Matt Carpenter

Numbers: .225, 7 HR, 24 Runs, 21 RBI, 0 SB

Carpenter has officially played ten or more games at first, second, and third. So, we fit him here at second even though he has played more at third. The numbers above are actually better than what they were coming into May. His April was brutal, but that works in your favor. Someone not paying attention may be willing to dump him for cheap. He has been the same Matt Carpenter since May 1st. He’s already back to a .747 OPS and he should eclipse .800 by the all-star break at this pace.

Third Base: Josh Donaldson

Numbers: .234, 5 HR, 22 Runs, 16 RBI, 2 SB

Okay, I broke my own rule. Donaldson has missed time, but even if you account for the missed time his numbers are disappointing. Of course, he demonstrated last season that he can produce some gaudy numbers in a short time. This was the worst possible time for him to have a slow start, but he still has time to right the ship. He’s a guy I might dangle a decent player for and hope he turns things around.

Shortstop: Carlos Correa

Numbers: .263, 10 HR, 36 Runs, 39 RBI, 2 SB

It’s a testament to the position that Correa is the disappointment. This doesn’t include obvious choices like Corey Seager, but we are excluding injuries. Correa got off to a great start in April and has fallen like a thud from there. He’s on pace for more than 20 home runs, 80 runs, and 85 RBI, but it hardly feels like it when you watch him play recently. Still. he is not far away from career norms.

Left Field: Adam Duvall

Numbers: .183, 10 HR, 17 Runs, 33 RBI, 2 SB

The hardest part of any rebuilding project is deciphering the difference between decent players that put up good numbers when there is no pressure on and actual building blocks for the future. Take the collective cases of Eugenio Suarez and Duvall. Duvall had two consecutive 100 RBI seasons and then this happened. Suarez continues to look better and better. The Reds signed Suarez long-term and that looks like the right call. Duvall looks like he will be a footnote in history before too long.

Centerfield: Jackie Bradley

Numbers: .200, 2 HR, 25 Runs, 12 RBI, 6 SB

Bradley is not exactly a high rated center fielder, but the position is unusually loaded with good players. So, if you are a Bradley owner that says more about you then it does about Bradley. If you are starting Bradley regularly then shame on you. You can do a whole lot better.

Right Field: Andrew McCutchen

Numbers: .250, 5 HR, 31 Runs, 26 RBI, 4 SB

On the one hand, the Giants didn’t give up a whole lot to get him and they could still flip him at the deadline and likely recoup their investment. The same is likely not true for McCutchen owners. He still walks enough to have some value in six category or total points formats, but the Giants desire to compete likely got the best of them as the decision to add him was not a brilliant one. McCutchen isn’t a frontline player anymore. No fantasy team should use him as a regular either.

Utility: Giancarlo Stanton

Numbers: .251, 13 HR, 38 Runs, 32 RBI, 2 SB

59 home runs is impossible to live up to and Stanton will likely go through a spurt where he looks like that guy. Both Stanton and Judge haven’t looked quite as dominant as they did last year, but how many people really expected them to. The fact that both could still hit 40 home runs is probably enough. So, disappointing? Yes. Has he been a bad player? Hardly.