Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By David Ferris

Before you launch head-first into the first week of the NFL season, let's tackle some AL stocks and keep you on course in the marathon of fantasy games.

Batters

BUY

Adam Jones, OF, Orioles: He was raking before the foot injury and the rehab went quickly and smoothly, so by all means let's run him out there for the final month. Seattle fans are going to rue the Jones trade the way Mets fans view the Scott Kazmir debacle.

Carlos Pena, 1B, Rays: His power came back in a big way in the second half (13 homers), and the .265 average is artificially low (the walk-strikeout rate suggests a much better number). Pena didn't match his dynamic 2007 season, but in a lot of ways he validated it; I'll gladly bid the extra buck on this guy next spring.

SELL

Carlos Quentin, OF, White Sox: He's headed toward wrist surgery and probably done for the season. In a keeper league, accept 50 to 60 cents on the dollar if you can win in 2008; worry about next year next year.

HOLD

Dustin Pedroia, OF, Red Sox: He'll probably be overpriced next year, but for the balance of 2008, enjoy the ride. The average is real, the power is probably a fluke, and the steals won't stay forever. But this is a $20 player into the new decade.

Curtis Granderson, OF, Tigers: He's been the AL's best table setters in the second half (.324 average, 35 walks, 49 runs, 1.002 OPS), often being driven in by the surging Miguel Cabrera. Detroit has a lot to fix on the mound in 2009, but this is still going to be a dynamic lineup. Granderson is starting to hang in better against lefties, his last hurdle before he hits superstardom.

Pitchers

BUY

Ervin Santana, SP, Angels: We always knew about the electric fastball and the nasty slider; it was just a matter of confidence here, and getting over the mental block of winning on the road. Santana hasn't dropped a game since late July, and he's piled up 56 strikeouts against seven walks over his last seven turns; the emergence is complete. You can make the argument that Santana has been the best pitcher in the OC this year, not the overrated guy closing all the wins out.

SELL

Fausto Carmona, SP, Indians: He's never going to be a big punchout guy, but when he walks more than he strikes out, it's a red flag - he doesn't have command of his power sinker. Give Carmona a long look in March to see if the Indians are able to rebuild his mechanics, and flush out the memories of the nightmare 2008.

HOLD

Scott Baker, SP, Twins: His strikeout rate has dipped of late, but we can accept that given the mild uptick in his control, and more balls staying in the park. I like Minnesota's schedule down the stretch, especially now that the two-weeks-of-hell road trip is over. Baker should be priced for a nifty 2009 discount, given all the attention paid to teammates Kevin Slowey and Francisco Liriano.

 Tags  Adam Jones AL Stock Watch baseball Carlos Pena Carlos Quentin Curtis Granderson David Ferris Dustin Pedroia Ervin Santana Fausto Carmona Scott Baker

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