I considered entitling this post “Taking The Buy Out Of Byron”, but that might have inaccurately implied that this was a buy/sell piece. Instead, this is me saying “drop this bum”. But before you do, please read the following disclaimer. The advice herein does not apply to dynasty leagues. However, if you are in a redraft league or league in which you can only keep four or five players, I think the right move is to actually drop this potential future all star like a bad habit. Yep, I said it. In deep leagues you might want to hold on to him for sh*ts and giggles, if you’re a sh*ts and giggles kinda fantasy player.
In 138 plate appearances last year Buxton flat out embarrassed himself by putting up a whopping 26 points. I’m not even going to waste my time doing the math to calculate his points per plate appearance (PPPA). Needless to say two home runs and two stolen bases over that stretch isn’t going to excite any roto players either. However, let’s toss his 2015 stats right out the window and give him a free pass.
I realize that this post is going to generate a lot of “you’re an idiot” type of responses, but guess who doesn’t care. Me. In 2013, 2014 and 2015 Buxton was ranked as the number one prospect by MLB. All the scouts have been shouting how great Lord Byron is from the highest of rooftops. Who am I to argue with the experts? I know I’m in the minority here, but I’m done waiting around for this kid to blossom. I heard that Scott White even had his name tattooed on his pecker.
In 2012, in rookie ball, Buxton managed 41 hits, 5 homers and 11 stolen bases in 189 plate appearances. Not very impressive. Moving to 2013 Byron started to show his potential. In A ball he hit 12 home runs, stole 55 bases and finished with a .334 batting average. 2014 was an injury riddled season. When he did manage to get on the field, his stats were less impressive than 2012. But in 2015, between AA and AAA, Buxton put up solid numbers. In 72 games he hit 7 home runs, stole 22 bags and hit .305, averaging .709 points per plate appearance. Not much power, but a strong ability to get on base and move around the base paths. However, since being called up the majors, he has done nothing but disappoint.
I am not a scout. I wasn’t even a boy scout. If you ever hear me say “scouts honor”, you know I am lying. I just can’t wait on this kid any longer. If you can trade him to someone who believes the hype, do it. Given all the “he’s the next big thing” type of articles that have been written on him, it shouldn’t be difficult to trade him. But as for me, I’m done letting him take up space on my roster. Like I said, I realize this isn’t going to be a popular post, but then again I’ve never been one to crave acceptance. The occasional pat on the back letting me know that I don’t completely suck all of the time is good enough for me. While you might be unwilling, or unable, to let go, I just dropped Buxton for Arodys Vizcaino. With Glen Perkins looking shakier than a Parkinson’s patient (apologies to anyone affected by this terrible illness), I’d rather have an extra closer than a guy I don’t expect to start once this season. And if Arodys doesn’t work out, I’m certain I can match Buxton’s 2016 performance with someone from the waiver wire. You’re better off stashing Dylan Bundy than holding on to Buxton. Bye bye Byron…
