A sure-fire sign that July 31 is just around the corner, Colorado Rockies and your favorite closer are on the trading block. Although Colorado management have vowed this year to keep the current team together, the team (as usual) will be doing some tinkering at the trade deadline � especially with the team (as usual) out of contention. Colorado�s #1 priority will be to trade outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, whose contract runs out at the end of the season. So I hope everyone enjoyed his 7/11 2 HR, 6 RBI weekend. The team wants to take a look at a minor-leauger named Jack Cust, to see if he can handle the rigors of playing left field at Coors. Most prospect-nicks have Cust as an American League DH-first base type. The prospect-nicks are much more excited about a prospect down in AA named Choo Freeman, who is said to be a cross between Torii Hunter and Ellis Burks (who was a monster in Colorado a few years back). The Rockies are also said to be in the market for a catcher � Pittsburgh�s Jason Kendall was the name that was bandied about first but apparently interest has now turned towards St. Louis� Eli Marrero. At 360K Eli is already a popular play, especially in the 2nd season games, a move to Colorado makes him a must have for the final two scheduled months. As it stands now Eli isn�t a bad 5-category player (.269/33/10/41/11), especially for a catcher. Only problem is that, like Robert Fick, Eli is in danger of losing his catcher designation as he has only appeared in 35 games behind the dish, and being used as an outfielder more often. At least in conventional fantasy leagues he will have his catcher designation in 2003.
Long-term look for the Rockies to do some more dealing in the off-season, the #1 priority being to unload Mike Hampton and his eight-figure salary. As bad as he�s been the past two seasons, the return to form of Darryl Kile after leaving the Rockies in 1999 does offer hope for Hampton. The Rockies strategy, according to Manager Clint Hurdle, is to load up on offense as much as possible (tying to re-create the Blake Street Bomber days of the mid-90�s) while building up pitching staff depth to get as many arms as possible to make it through 81 games at Coors � which has been placing the team at a tremendous disadvantage in recent years.
2000 saw then Cleveland closer Steve Karsay get traded, and he has been a set-up man ever since. Last year saw Pittsburgh renting Mike Williams to Houston, where he was a 7th-8th inning guy for the stretch drive, before returning to the Pirates and becoming one of the best closers of this year. This time it appears Brewer closer Mike DeJean appears to have one foot out the door, as Milwaukee scouts have been present at Anaheim Angel games, seeing who they can possibly get for him. And just to make sure that he can escape from Milwaukee (and who can really blame him), DeJean got into a nice angry spat with manager Jerry Royster after allowing three hits in a third of an inning (there was also a dropped fly ball error). In Anaheim DeJean would set up Ben Weber and/or Troy Percival, his only chance of closing being if Weber were to struggle and Percival would be disabled longer than anticipated.
The hottest rumor of all right now has the Cardinals unloading Bud Smith and J.D. Drew (sounds like a couple to give up on) to the Padres for Dennis Tankersley, Brian Lawrence, and Bubba Trammell. The Cards also wouldn�t mind prying away Brett Tomko. This is one trade the Pads definitely SHOULD NOT MAKE. There is also now talk that should the Expos continue to slide that they may reverse course and hold a 'pre-contraction' fire sale, and make the likes of Bart Colon, Cliff Floyd, Vlad Guerrero, Javier Vazquez, and Jose Vidro available. And in late-breaking news, the Chicago White Flags deal long-time second baseman Ray Durham (.299/71/9/48/20 to Oakland. Durham becomes a free agent after the season.
As far as other teams trading in regard to contention, don't expect much more from the Yankees, who already have their 25 favorite MLB players picked out. Also don't expect much from Minnesota and Atlanta, who are cruising to division titles. That leaves Boston, Oakland, Anaheim, NY Mets (who are starting to sneak into wild-card contention, Cincinnati, Houston, Arizona, Los Angeles (who added Tyler Houston this week), and San Francisco. That is not a lot of suiters compared to the many teams now looking to dump payroll.
In closer news, Luke Prokopec (450 � listed as a starter), has moved to the bullpen and is starting to get some save opportunities in place of Kelvim Escobar (690 � also listed as a starter). Luke�s starting numbers weren�t much to behold, but if you�re desperate for even more saves (as if five relievers, including Gagne isn�t enough) your welcome to keep an eye on this. Also look for Luis Vizciano to get the few and far between Brewers save opps if DeJean is indeed dealt. Also keep an eye on the slides of Dodger starters Andy Ashby as well as Odalis Perez (whose turn in the rotation is being skipped this weekend), an indirect result beginning to be a reduction of Eric Gagne save opps. The projections of the goon getting 2-3 saves a week may be in the process of becoming 1-2 saves per week. If desperate (and I mean desperate) for wins/K�s v. saves, you might be able to get away with taxing the goon for a week or two � for the most part that is still not recommended.
During the pre-season it was very hard to rank Oakland�s �big three� starting pitchers. Well, after four months the jury has returned with a verdict which is as follows�
W-L |
ERA |
RATIO |
K's |
IP |
|
B. ZITO |
14-3 |
3.04 |
1.16 |
120 |
142 |
M. MULDER |
11-5 |
3.40 |
1.22 |
86 |
113.2 |
T. HUDSON |
7-9 |
3.48 |
1.34 |
98 |
150 |
Zito is now officially the man, especially now that he�s on one of his patented second half tears. Do not discount Mark Mulder though, since coming back from elbow problems in May (when he was sitting with a 6.96 ERA), Mark has gone 8-1 with an ERA just under two in his last 81 innings, he�s just a half-tick behind Barry. As far as red-ass Tim Hudson is concerned, he seems to becoming more of an �innings-eater� by the start � doing the job, but giving up a lot of knocks in the process.
Now for some other players making news�
David Ortiz (MN) � Huge rewards for those who didn�t give up on David in the last month or so, as the first baseman is on an amazing eigth-game RBI streak, with 6 homers and 14 RBI during that span, to go along with a .444 (16-36) BA.
Vernon Wells (TOR) � Another pre-season favorite who is now rewarding those who stuck with him, since his BA bottomed out at .239 in early June (and was beginning to lose playing time), Vern is 47/141 (.333) with 10 homers, 26 runs, and 28 RBI, multiply those totals by four and your have his top-end potential for next year.
Mo Vaughn (NYM) � Notice a recurring theme, here�s another one many gave up on weeks ago. However Mo is 32/96 (.333) since June 24 with 11 HR and 24 RBI.
Manny Ramirez (BOS) � Officially back on a tear with 5 HR/11 RBI in a seven game span.
Jimmy Rollins (PHI) � Hitting .319 back on May 19, Rollins has gone 39 for 218 (.179) since � that�s a little more than a mild slump to say the least. A sore thumb is much of the blame. Manager Larry Bowa continues to play him since he likes his defense. Still if either Nomar or Arod gets hurt, owners are better off picking up the David Ecksteins of the world before turning to Rollins.
Brett Myers (PHI) � The waiver wire pickup of the week. 21 year-old phenom out dueled Mark Prior in major league debut, allowing only one earned run, two hits, and a walk in eight innings while striking out five. His AAA numbers (9-6, 3.59 ERA) was less impressive, but still a must for your 2003 Challenge roster.
Randy Johnson (AZ) � Units debacle in San Diego (eight earned runs, eight hits, six walks) sends definite alarms, his back has simply not look right lately. And he turns 39 on September.
Chuck Finley (STL) � Four months away from his 40th birthday, Finley was dealt to help shore up St. Louis� pitching last week, and promptly won his first start. Finley did strike out 91 in 105 innings in Cleveland, and should improve on his 4.44 ERA and 1.54 ratio somewhat, but not enough to consider for Challenge purposes.
Josh Beckett (FL) � FINALLY!!! The Beckett we�ve been waiting for all year arrived Sunday, striking out 12 Expos in six shutout innings. Another fine possibility for �03.
Raul Ibanez (KC) � Definitely not a WAR SHEET jinx here, 10 more ribbies in a four game stretch gives him 24 in his last twelve outings.
By far, the biggest injury news is the hammy of Barry Bonds, along with Miriano Rivera's shoulder, there is a strong possibility that both could wind up on the DL...
WEEK 18 PREVIEW
An AL friendly week as everyone except MN and CWS plays seven times. The Twins, White Sox, and the entire NL plays six. Both Houston and Colorado (again) spend the entire week on the road. As of last weekend Colorado�s batting average on the road was a dismal .222, as opposed to .317 at home, the Coors platoon more than lives.
The week is also very heavy on teams staying home, or going on the road for the entire week. SEA, TB, MN, TX, OAK, ANH, MON, PHI, PIT, NYM, ATL, CHC, and FL will be at home while DET, BAL, CWS, NYY, CLE, BOS, STL, AZ, SF, COL, HOU, LA, and MIL will be on the road. Pitchers who will go twice include Freddie Garcia, Tim Hudson, Pedro Martinez, Mark Buehrle, Javier Vazquez, Kaz Ishii, and Mark Prior.
LATROY F HAWKINS AWARD
Derek Lowe owners are gripping over this, as a 4-0 lead over Tampa Bay in the ninth should be a mortal lock. This may also accelerate the Red Sox annual free-fall from playoff contention. Chris Haney and Ugueth Urbina combine for the award this week. Haney got the bases load with no outs, and UUU completed the meltdown, allowing a double and home run to allow all five runs to score.