Jhonny Peralta: After an off-year, it may appear that Peralta's power is back to 2005 levels, 2005/2006/2006 home run totals of 24/13/14 and doubles of 35/28/17, but Peralta will have trouble maintaining this pace with his GB% trending in the wrong direction, 2005/2006/2007 GB%'s of 45%/47%/51%. Unless he turns it around, we have probably already seen the best of Peralta's power this year.
Richie Sexson: It is surprising to see Sexson still straddling the Mendoza line, .202 batting average, this deep into the season. Part of it can be attributed to bad luck, .154 BHIP%, but the decline in his power, 15 home runs and 15 doubles in 307 AB, is not helping. The three-year uptrend in his GB%, 40%/42%/49%, means that this could be a new level of power for the 32-year-old Sexson.
Jerry Hairston: Sometimes a player has no problem hitting fly balls, but they lack the strength to consistently have them clear the fences. That is what is going on with Hairston, a 48% FB% but just 3 home runs in 136 AB. When this happens, the bulk of the fly balls usually fall for outs, which is the case with Hairston, .199 batting average.
Eric Gagne: There is some talk that Rangers will attempt to sign Gagne to a contract extension. Keeping him as their closer beyond this year may look like a good idea on the surface as he has converted 14 of 15 save chances while sporting a very stingy 1.48 ERA. But he will always be a big injury risk and below the surface the injuries appear to be taking a toll on his once dominant skills, 2003/2004/2005/2007 K/9's of 15.0/12.5/14.9/7.7, BB/9's of 2.2/2.4/2.0/3.6, and GB%'s of 45%/42%/52%/41%. The Rangers and fantasy owners would be better off dealing him now while his value is high.
Jeff Mathis: The trade of Jose Molina to the Yankees insures that Mathis will stick around as Mike Napoli's backup. The Angels must be impressed with his defense because he is not showing much offensively, 2 for 13 with the Angels and a .244 average in 250 AB in Triple-A. In the minors this year, he was not hitting for power, 5 home runs, exercising plate patience, .38 BB/K, or making good contact, 82%. He will not help a fantasy team.
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