There’s no possible way that Big Papi could get off to a worse start than he did last season, right? Right?

Fantasy owners were saying during the same thing this offseason and all the way through fantasy drafts, but a little more than a week into the season, owners are convinced that Boston’s David Ortiz will be equally bad, if not worse.

Through seven games and 26 at bats, Ortiz has just four hits and no home runs. Ortiz’ average stands at a minuscule .154, and owners have responded accordingly. Unlike last season, owners aren’t willing to wait for a mid-season turnaround from one of the most-feared hitters of the previous decade.

On ESPN, Ortiz was owned in 100 percent of leagues on opening day. After just one week, the number has dropped below 90. That number will continue to dip as Ortiz continues to struggle, which recent history says he will (April and May 2009 totals: .185 avg., 1 HR, 18 RBI, 48 K).

Even the Boston media is unwilling to give Ortiz time to find his swing. It took only two games and a 0-for-7 start before Red Sox manager Terry Francona and Ortiz were bombarded with questions about sitting the slugger. Ortiz responded with a tirade full of expletives.

The most glaring stat: Ortiz has whiffed on an unimaginable 44 percent of his swings, compared to the major league average of 20. Ortiz is tied for second in baseball with 13 strikeouts.

For now, Francona will err on the side of caution and keep Ortiz in the lineup. Fantasy owners, well, not so much.

Unless you’re in an AL-only league or have a DH position, we agree with fantasy owners and say drop the five-time All Star and former MVP candidate. Keep an eye on him, but the hefty 230-pound Ortiz will just eat (pun intended) space on your bench for the considerable future. By the time Ortiz finds a groove, it could be too late for fantasy owners who showed too much faith.

We suggest taking a look at Detroit’s Carlos Guillen, who is owned in only 2 percent of ESPN leagues and is currently hitting .321.