Octavio Dotel: There is a chance that the newly acquired Dotel could take over the closing duties from Bob Wickman. A look at Dotel's skill set, 11.4 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, and a 45% FB% against Wickman's skill set, 7.2 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, and a 43% FB%, shows that Dotel is the better choice.
Rob Mackowiak: The Padres picked up Mackowiak from the White Sox to be a backup at third base and left field, plus to be a left-handed bat off the bench. His .278 batting average is being helped by a .285 BHIP% and his skill set is unspectacular, 78% Ct%, .43 BB/9, and a 56% GB%. With just 6 home runs in 237 AB, his power is below league average and it will further take a hit moving from a home stadium that increases left-handed batting power by 40% to one that decreases it by 11%. The trade is not good for Mackowiak's fantasy value.
Morgan Ensberg: The Padres acquired Ensberg from the Astros. The addition of Ensberg and Rob Mackowiak is not a good sign for Kevin Kouzmanoff's playing time. Since his career year in 2005, 36/86/.283, Ensberg surface stats have declined, in 387 AB in 2006 he went 23/67/.235 and in 224 AB this year his numbers are 8/36/.232, while his underlying numbers have remained steady, 2005/2006/2007 Ct%'s of 77%/75%/79%, BB/K's .71/1.05/.65, and FB%'s of 45%/48%/42%. When that happens either the player is battling injuries or they are settling into a new level of production. Ensberg did battle some injuries last year, but not this year and being on the wrong side of 30, he turns 32 next month, this is probably a new level for his power. Another disturbing trend is his batting average against right-handers, 2005/2006/2007 numbers of .278/.232./.216, which is another sign of an age-related decline.
Mark Teixeira: After days of wrangling over the pieces involved in the trade, the Braves landed the plum of the trading deadline players when they acquired Teixeira from the Rangers. His power has been very consistent since 2004, 2004/2005/2006 home run totals of 38/43/33 and doubles of 34/41/45. He has missed some time with injuries and his home run total is off, 13 in 286 AB, but he has swatted 24 doubles. In the first half of last year, he had only 9 home runs, but he had 31 doubles. He then went on to smack 24 home runs and 14 doubles in the second half. Moving from Texas to Atlanta will affect his left-handed batting power, as Ameriquest increases it by 25% while Turner Field decreases it by 11%, but will have no effect on his right-handed batting power. Even with a less attractive home stadium for power, at 27 years of age, Texeira is in his prime and should be ready for a strong close of the season in Atlanta.
Joel Pineiro: The Cardinals acquired Pineiro from the Red Sox. With Brad Thompson and Mike Maroth currently in the rotation, there is a chance that Pineiro could start. Over the last 4 years, it looks like he has changed his approach to pitching, a decrease in his strikeouts, 2004/2005/2006/2007 K/9's of 7.1/5.1/4.7/5.3, but a four-year uptrend in his GB%, 44%/45%/48%/54%. A pitcher can succeed with that skill set, but they need to keep the walks down, which Pineiro has not done over the last two years, 2006/2007 BB/9's 3.5/3.7. Although he has not pitched well in relief this year, 4.91 ERA, he was more effective in relief last year, starter/reliever ERA splits of 6.62/4.81 and K/9's of 4.3/7.4. If Dave Duncan can make an adjustment that will improve his control, he could be serviceable.
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