BASEBALL'S FAT WHALES ARE ABOUT TO BEACH AGAIN, DON'T EXPECT THE FANS TO DRAG THEM BACK INTO THE WATER THIS TIME...

Then there is the bigger issue of should the fans even care anymore. When baseball had its first extended work stoppage in 1981, I�ll admit to being heartbroken. I was even a little upset when they struck in 1994-95. But know I�m beginning to feel like those volunteers who kept on trying to get those beached whales back to sea this week. After about the fourth or fifth (or ninth) time what's the use????? Why keep on trying to lug these big mammals back into the water when all they�re going to do is turn around and wash up on shore the next day??? And trying to figure out the behavior of whales is about the same as trying to figure out the whims of players and owners these days. For some reason whales elect to beach themselves once in a while, and baseball tends to constantly shoot itself in the foot. It�s about the same thing � and I�m in no position to figure out either. Just quit asking the fans to keep lugging your fat carcasses back to sea when you finally realize just how bad you�ve damaged the game. I guess Jesse Ventura had a point when he was less than accommodating in have tax dollars earmarked for a baseball stadium. Especially when a Twins 14-game division lead goes for naught with this latest stoppage�

The gap between the has and has nots widened even more at the trade deadline. Except that there are even move have nots as ever. There are a couple of �small-markets� (Minnesota and Oakland) among the haves. I just have to wonder though how the Philadelphia�s and Chicago White Sox of the world became small market franchises. Not for a look how this weeks trades impact the fantasy world�

Cliff Floyd (to BOS) � This turned out to be Mike Piazza with the Marlins (circa 1998) all over again. And I have a feeling Cliff wasn�t too enthused about making a return trip he probably never dreamt about making. In his 15 games with the Spos, Cliff went 11-53, with 3 HR and 4 RBI. Rumors about going to the Giants resurfaced again just before the Boston trade went down. Again, PacBell would had been beautiful for him. Although Boston should not be too bad neither. First off, Cliff is now off artificial turf, a big plus for him. Also being snug in a lineup with Nomar, Manny and Shea is not exactly bad. Adjusting to the American League for the first time is a mild concern, but still expect a much better August than July, as his fantasy value increases.

Kenny Lofton (to SF) � Was a must-have in CDM in April and May, as Kenny rediscovered his running game and was among the league leaders with 20 steals. But that�s before injuries wore him down. Kenny went 26-156 (.167) between May 26 and July 20, killing teams that hung with him too long. Lofton also has stolen only two bases since May. On the plus side, Lofton has 5 homers in his last 13 games (including one in his first Giant at-bat), so he could be trying to become a semi-power hitter late in his career. Being a lefty could also help Kenny get another homer or two in PacBell. But unless the stolen bases return, Kenny does not get strong CDM recommendation.

Scott Rolen (to STL) � Finally got his wish, and now joins J.D. Drew on the manure list of all Phillie fans. I don�t expect much more production from Rolen, the bigger story is how this might effect Pat Burrell as he loses some protection. Rolen is on pace for his usual 25 HR and 100 RBI, but his average has taken a drop from the .290-.300 level to .260 this year. Expect Rolen to hit .300 the rest of the way, with his usual homers and RBI�s in his new environs.

Sandy Alomar (to COL) � All the promises of Jason Kendall or Eli Marrero, and we get this instead??? BUM � MER. Alomar does put up some numbers (.287/7/25 in 167 AB�s) when he does play. Meanwhile, Mark Johnson gets the majority of catching chores with the White Flags, providing some power (9 HR in 180 AB�s), but at the expense of a sub .200 average.

Todd Hollandsworth (to TX) - No surprise here, the good news is that Hollandsworth goes to one of the better offensive teams out there, and should get some nice RBI opportunities.

Gabe Kapler (to COL) - Before getting too excited about this, be aware that Gabe has ZERO home runs and just five stolen bases on the year, in just 196 AB's. So much for the bodybuilding. That is down from 17 HR's and 23 SB's in 2001. Expect Kapler to get about the same amount of playing time that Hollandsworth was getting (starting 70-75 percent of the time.

Jay Payton (to COL) - The biggest impact this will have is that Payton will cut into the playing time of Juan Pierre, who is having a dissapointing season (.273/52/0/24/28).

Ray Durham (to OAK) � One of baseball�s more quiet but consistant performers also gets a change in address. The home runs (9) are down but the RBI�s (52), BA (.296), and stolen bases (20) are up. Expect his usual status quo the rest of the year.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

There is actually a Mark Wohlers sighting, as he saved two games in a row for Cleveland in Oakland this week. With Bob Wickman on the DL with a bad elbow, that might be a noteworthy development. A huge week for Pedro Martinez owners, as he posted two consecutive outings of allowing only two hits and a walk over eight innings. That can be expected v. Tampa Bay, but doing v. the white-hot Angels deserves extra props. Pedro has also K�d 20 during the 16 inning span and has a 2.36 ERA and .91 ratio on the year to go along with a 14-2 record. And the scary thing is many still say he�s not 100 percent. Kaz Ishii may be hitting the wall, allowing a disastrous eight earned runs while being chased in the third in Cincinnati this week. Kaz�s ratio has also now hit an unacceptable 1.56, with 84 walks in 123 IP. Meanwhile Atlanta�s Damian Moss is becoming more than just an Austrailina curiosity, allowing only one run in his last three starts. On the year, Damian is now 7-4 with a 3.25/1.20, and 78 K�s in 113.2 IP. He appears to be Maddux/Glavine�s latest star pupil. Byung-Hyun Kim continues to amaze by being so good, but yet so bad. The total numbers (4-2, 2.47 ERA, 1.10 ratio, 72 K�s, 58.1 IP) are good, but Kim is in another one of his patented John Rocker streaks. First Kim allowed two runs in a non-save situation (because manager Bob Brenly played the lefty-righty game and had Mike Meyers open the ninth), then asked for the next game off, claiming that �his brain was fried�. Kim then gave up a walk-off homer to Vlad Guerrero on Tuesday. Another week at the office for Byung-Hyun. Toronto's Vernon Wells continued his hot streak with a four-RBI night (bases clearing triple) this week. Also take note of this with Colorado at home two of the next three weeks. Larry Walker is 44-88 (.500) at home in June and July, with 10 homers and 31 RBI. LW is also 9-22 on the Rockies current road trip. You might want to consider LW for weeks 19 and 21.

After a hiatis for a couple of weeks, the reaper actually claimed a few players this week, including Torii Hunter (hip flexor) and Eric Chavez (hammy). Despite Torii being out of the lineup, Jacque Jones actually managed to miss Tuesday night's tilt as well.

WEEK 19 PREVIEW

There is on onside chance that this could be the final full week of the season, as August 16 looms as a possible strike date (my take: I still think it will be 9/16). Nevertheless, strike talk will dominate almost everything else that manages to happen on the field from this point out. With the trade deadline now past, this is definitely the time to make a move � this year obviously more so than ever.

BAL, TOR, KC, MN, CWS, TB, ANH, DET, LA, PHI, AZ, and NYM all get seven games this week, everyone else plays six times. Most teams will either spend the entire week at home or on the road. Home teams include NYY, BOS, TOR, CLE, DET, CWS, HOU, MIL, STL, COL, AZ, LA, and SF. KC, BAL, SD, and CIN each get one series at home while everyone else will be on the road. Cincinnati and the Cubs visit Coors while Atlanta and Florida will be in Houston. Four of Arizona�s seven games will be started by Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson. Pedro Martinez�s one start will be at home v. MN � so Unit and Schill are the two elite plays in CDM. Other two-starters include Mark Mulder, Mike Mussina, Roy Halladay, Josh Beckett, and Odalis Perez.