Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By David Ferris

We've seen some big deals go down in the majors the last week or so (so long, CC; drop a line sometime, Rich), but in the fantasy world, franchise players come and go on a daily basis. Here's a look inside our current scouting notebook, focusing on the Junior Circuit.

Pitchers

BUY

Francisco Liriano, SP, Twins: His return can't be too far away - he's working on 20 straight scoreless innings in Triple-A, with 24 strikeouts. There's no reason why he can't be one of the AL's 10 best starters in the second half of the year, especially with CC Sabathia and Rich Harden out of the picture. If someone flaked on Liriano in your league, run to the waiver wire right now.

Sean Gallagher, SP, Athletics: The 22-year-old righty had some good days and some bad days with the Cubs, but don't look past his legit stuff (49 strikeouts in 58.2 innings). A bigger park, less pressure and a league that hasn't seen him yet, sounds like a good deal to us. Get that FAAB wallet ready for a bid.

SELL

R.A. Dickey, SP, Mariners: He's on a good run over his last four starts (26.1 innings, four runs), and knuckleballers are always fun to have around in theory, but can Dickey continue to get this lucky on balls in play? He's carrying 15 strikeouts against 12 walks over this span, which has to make you a little nervous. And when the knuckleball occasionally doesn't knuckle, balls fly over distant fences. Get out while the getting's good.

HOLD

A.J. Burnett, SP, Blue Jays: Toronto figures to shift into a seller mode soon - the Jays lost Vernon Wells and Dustin McGowan this week - and Burnett is a power righty who could ring up ridiculous strikeout totals if he's shipped back to the NL. Mind you there's plenty of assumed risk that comes with Burnett and his physical history, but if you're not afraid to swing for the fences, there's a major upside here - especially if Burnett is moved far away from the rough-and-tumble AL East.

Batters

BUY

Juan Rivera, OF, Angels: He's back and swinging a mean bat (four hits and a homer in Arlington), while Gary Matthews and his bloated contract are relegated to the bench. Give Mike Scioscia credit for tinkering with a first-place lineup, and give Rivera a look if you're looking for some pop from the back of your outfield. He was a $15-20 stick just a couple of years back.

SELL

Edgar Renteria, SS, Tigers: He's no longer a factor on the bases (three steals), he's slugging under .300 since May 1, and he's hitting all of .254. Can you say "declining bat speed?" Better yet, can you say "do you need a shortstop?" to one of your unwitting opponents. Being in the AL doesn't automatically help everyone - keep in mind Renteria struggled for most of his one season in Boston. Now, he's clearly in the decline years, coming up on his 33rd birthday.

HOLD

Jeff Mathis, C, Angels: He's not going to help your average much and no one behind the backstop in Anaheim seems capable of throwing anyone out, but Mathis can offer a couple of things to you: power (he's gone deep six times in 147 at-bats) and playing time (he's needed on a nightly basis now that Mike Napoli has hit the DL).

 Tags  A.J. Burnett AL Stock Watch David Ferris Edgar Renteria Francisco Liriano Jeff Mathis Juan Rivera R.A. Dickey Sean Gallagher

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