Ray Durham: Rickie Weeks says he will play through his finger injury, but if he is unable to go, Durham would become the full-time second baseman. The 36-year-old still has some power (4 home runs but 29 doubles in 311 AB), a good approach at the plate (12% BB and an 81% Ct%), and a little bit of speed (7 steals in 10 tries). If he gets regular playing time, he could provide a boost to a fantasy lineup.
Luis Ayala: The Mets picked up Ayala to work out of their dreadful bullpen. Ayala is having a rough season; 1-8 with a 5.77 ERA, but his skills are only slightly off from last season; 2007/2008 K/9’s of 6.0/5.6, BB/9’s of 2.6/3.4, and GB%’s of 39%/43%, when his ERA was 3.19. Since his BHIP% is actually lower this year, 2007/2008 #’s of .268/.254, it appears that hitters are just getting better wood on Ayala’s pitches, so don’t expect his season to turn around.
Greg Maddux: The Dodgers acquired Maddux to take Brad Penny’s spot in the starting rotation. Maddux will lose the comfy confines of Petco Field for half of his starts, 2008 home/road ERA splits of 2.62/5.75, although he did pitch well in his one appearance in Dodger Stadium this year, 5 innings with 0 ER. With a 4.7 K/9, the 42-year-old Maddux is not even close to the force that he used to be, but with pintpoint control, 1.5 BB/9, and the ability to induce ground balls, 49% GB%, he can still be effective.
Matt Capps: Capps, who has been out since July 1st with a shoulder problem, is due back this weekend. He should be back closing games within a week or two. His 3.12 ERA looks good, but he did blow 5 saves in 22 attempts. For an extreme fly ball pitcher, 2007/2008 FB%’s of 50%/47%, he is not as dominant as one should be, K/9’s of 7.3/6.5, but pinpoint control, BB/9’s 1.8/1.2, makes up for the less than ideal K’s. Capps has decent skills and for the most part can get the job done, but he is nothing more than a mid-tier closer who will turn in some poor performances.
John Grabow: Just when it appeared that Grabow was emerging as the Pirates closer, 4 saves in his last 7 appearance, he now has to deal with the return of Matt Capps. Although he is not showing a discernable lefty/right split this year, LHB/RHB’s of .214/.220, last year he was much more effective when facing left-handed batters, .238/.303. Based on last year’s splits, his elevated BB/9 of 4.2 this year, and his favorable .219 BHIP%, Grabow is best suited to work as a left-handed specialist out of the bullpen.
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