Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By David Ferris

3/14/08

March Madness might be more of a basketball term, but it also applies to how mispriced some of the current American League ballplayers are at the draft table. Here’s our current shopping guide, guaranteed to keep you off the bubble and out of trouble.

Batters

BUY

Luke Scott, OF, Orioles – He’s finally getting a full-time gig, and while Camden Yards isn’t the run-scoring paradise it’s made out to be, it’s still a pretty easy place to knock one over the wall. Scott’s an even-money shot to get 25 homers, and if everything clicks you’ve got a chance at 30. Best of all, you won’t need to outbid half of the room to land Scott for the back of your outfield.

Hank Blalock, 3B, Rangers – His swing and his shoulder looked just fine in September, when most weren’t paying attention. I still like the park and pedigree here, and a discount doesn’t hurt. Blalock won’t cost much more than $10, but he’s ready to be a $20 asset again.

SELL

Casey Blake, 3B, Indians – He spent the playoffs parked at the bottom of the order, and that’s the plan for 2008 as well. Blake will do well merely to keep his job as the season goes along; Cleveland has a deep offense and an intriguing bench, and once the bat speed starts fading in the mid 30s, the tide doesn’t reserve course.

Richie Sexson, 1B, Mariners – Sure he was plenty unlucky on balls in play last year, but who’s at fault when Sexson swings and misses? I saw him beat on too many inside heaters last year to get tingly about a rebound.

HOLD

Howie Kendrick, 2B, Angels – He’s got the stroke to win a batting title a few years down the road, and while the power hasn’t developed yet, the Angels are prepared to give him free reign on the bases. With the expectation that Kendrick can tack on 15-20 bags to that pretty average, let’s bid the extra buck.

Pitchers

BUY

Dustin McGowan, SP, Blue Jays – He’s the No. 3 arm for the Jays entering the year, but don’t be surprised if he’s considered the staff ace by the end of the season. McGowan got bit by the gopher ball a bit in the second half of 2007, but he also improved in every other key column at the same time (more strikeouts, less walks), and we’ve always seen No. 1 potential from this arm. Go get him; this is the last year the sticker price won’t be expensive.

George Sherrill, RP, Orioles – His stuff is merely good, not dominant, but the competition in the Baltimore bullpen leaves me cold. Jamie Walker? The Orioles know he’s a left specialist. James Hoey? Young, nicked up and unproven. Let’s set the over/under for Sherrill saves at 20, which means we’ll be in the bidding later than most.

SELL

Chien-Ming Wang, SP, Yankees – He’s plenty comfortable in Yankee Stadium, but his power sinker doesn’t always travel well; Wang’s career ERA on the road is a messy 4.62. Throw in the modest strikeout rate and it’s enough to get smart 5x5 owners off the scent. Throw his name out early, then watch your Tri-State competitors slide into overbid mode.

HOLD

Joe Borowski, RP, Indians – His stuff isn’t anywhere near dominant and you’ll want to keep that ERA and ratio away from the kids, but if Eric Wedge keeps giving him the ball in the ninth inning, who cares? They don’t ask how in this game, they ask how many, and it matters not if fantasy owners want to take Borowski’s job away tomorrow – Cleveland has no intention of doing so. If you go for your saves on a budget, Borowski makes a lot of sense.

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