Jake Odorizzi (SP-TB) - Odorizzi and Chris Archer stayed, while Matt Moore went at the trade deadline. It would not be surprising to see trade talks around Odorizzi and Archer revisited this winter, as the Rays have, as usual, a number of promising pitching prospects, including Brett Honeywell and Jacob Faria. Meanwhile, Odorizzi was hit hard Tuesday, allowing home runs to Chris Davis and Manny Machado in allowing seven runs over four innings with three walks and just two strikeouts. Odorizzi had been on a nice roll with a 2.12 ERA over his previous nine starts, so we can give him a pass on this one. He is exhibiting some minor control issues lately, but overall his 2.7 BB/9 remains solid, so no worries.
Aaron Sanchez (SP-TOR) - I'm a bit on the fence about Sanchez's long-term prospects, as I think he can be either a top-of-the-rotation starter, a closer, or he could be beset by arm injuries given his slight frame. Tuesday, Sanchez surrendered three runs on five hits over seven innings despite allowing a pair of home runs against the Yankees. Sanchez's ERA sits at a solid 2.92 in 169.1 innings. With a fastball clocking in at 94.6 mph on average, Sanchez should be able to improve his 7.4 K/9 as he gains valuable experience. He may be limited to six innings the rest of the month, as Sanchez is way over his 2015 innings total of 102.
Luis Cessa (SP-NYY) - Cessa is getting an extended look as a potential 2017 rotation option, and as of now, he's probably going to get serious consideration next spring. Tuesday Cessa allowed two runs on six hits over 5.1 innings while walking two and striking out three in lowering his ERA to 4.07. Cessa throws easily in the mid-90s, averaging a stout 94.7 mph with his fastball. That makes a mediocre 26:11 K:BB in 42 innings a bit of a surprise. In Triple-A, Cessa had an 8.1 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9, so with some adjustment, he should start missing more bats in time. The 24 year-old isn't going to ever front a contender's rotation, but he should have plenty of value if he can develop his breaking stuff and change.
Justin Verlander (SP-DET) - Someone asked me this week whether Verlander was "back", with "back" meaning back to at least near his MVP form in 2011. Verlander allowed two runs over seven innings with 11 strikeouts Monday to lower his ERA from 3.30 to 3.28. Verlander's velocity is up this year, and his 9.7 K/9 is his best strikeout rate since 2009. In addition, Verlander has a 2.09 ERA in his last 11 starts a year after posting a 2.27 ERA in his final 14 starts after returning from a triceps injury. Verlander of course won the AL Cy Young and MVP awards in 2011 after notching 24 wins with a 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts. He's not quite THERE just yet, but I think he has a solid chance at being a top-15 starter next year after ranking in the 40s on most pre-season fantasy draft lists.
Arismendy Alcantara (OF-OAK) - Alcantara was recalled by the A's on Tuesday after batting .278/.325/.467 with 12 homers and 32 stolen bases. Alcantara will battle a bunch of guys for playing time alongside LF Khris Davis, but Alcantara is a career .194/.249/.335 hitter in 347 big league plate appearances, so unless he makes a rapid and positive impression, his playing time could be limited this month. Still, if you need stolen bases, and you're in a deeper fantasy league (AL-only, deeper mixed league), he may be worth a look.
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