Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By David Ferris

The Indians have let us down for most of the summer - yours truly had them winning the pennant back in March - but that doesn't mean they have to be off the fantasy radar. Four notable Indians get mentions as we track the current movers and shakers in the Junior Circuit; Cleveland can rock down the stretch, and let's get a piece of it.

Hitters

BUY

Nelson Cruz, OF, Rangers: Is he the quintessential Four-A player, or is Cruz finally ready to make good in Arlington this time around? Hard to say, but after his monstrous season in Triple-A (.342, 39 homers, 24 steals), how can you not give him a shot? He's 3 for 11 with a homer since the recall, and the Rangers seem committed to playing him at least most of the time.

SELL

Travis Hafner, 1B/DH, Indians: He's had another setback with the shoulder rehab, and you have to wonder if the Indians are close to pulling the plug on his 2008 season. With rosters expanding and player auditions going on all over the map, I can't justify holding a fantasy slot for a maybe like Hafner, especially given the train wreck he's shown us over the last two seasons. It's going to take awhile to rebuild this guy again.

HOLD

Adam Jones, OF, Orioles: All goes well with the foot rehab
(he's already running), and the club thinks Jones might return early next week. Baltimore's had the AL's loudest offense in the second half, and Mr. Jones will fit right in.

Kelly Shoppach, C, Indians: He'll lose a little time to Victor Martinez the next four weeks, but Eric Wedge isn't stupid - he'll make sure Shoppach's heavy bat gets plenty of use. Shoppach has 10 homers and a .621 slugging percentage in the second half, and Martinez figures to see work at 1B and DH in addition to behind the plate.

Pitchers

BUY

Jensen Lewis, RP, Indians: Just about any big-league caliber arm can close, case No. 7,892. The Indians are playing much better this month and Lewis is getting the cushy ninth-inning role, which is how you pick up seven saves in less than three weeks. Talent and moxie are great for the ninth inning, but opportunity remains the most important element, at least from a fantasy perspective. Don't look too deep into Lewis' stat profile, it might get you off the scent. Just take heart in the fact that he's quickly built confidence and trust in this new role, and Eric Wedge is thrilled to have a solidified closer spot after watching four months of hell back there.

SELL

Jesse Litsch, SP, Blue Jays: He's a pitch-to-contact guy, a tough game to play when you toil in the AL East (where everyone else can pile up the runs). The artificial surface in Toronto doesn't make the task easier. Let someone else chase the wins and the risky innings.

Josh Beckett, SP, Red Sox: Elbow soreness, visiting Dr. James Andrews, DL trip. The Red Sox have to look at October here (and 2009 and beyond), while fantasy owners have to worry about September. Take your expectations way, way down on this one.

HOLD

Anthony Reyes, SP, Indians: Getting out of St. Louis was a necessary move for him (he didn't see eye to eye with the coaching staff), and the early returns in the AL have been super (four strong turns, 2.22 ERA). The story isn't as fun when you look at the peripherals (10 walks against 11 strikeouts, 1.36 ratio). But a roomy park and a meaty ground-ball rate should keep Reyes in our good graces down the stretch.

 Tags  Adam Jones AL Stock Watch Anthony Reyes baseball David Ferris Jensen Lewis Jesse Litsch Josh Beckett Kelly Shoppach Nelson Cruz Travis Hafner

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