Baseball Guru
08-02-2004, 06:08 PM
Dodgers, Marlins Release Summer Blockbuster
by Court E. Mann - Associate Editor, Fanball.com
Saturday, July 31, 2004
A suspiciously quiet week gave way on Friday to what may spark a fantastic finish at Saturday's 4 p.m. EST trade deadline.
The Dodgers and Marlins agreed to a six-player blockbuster that includes Florida's starting pitcher Brad Penny, Los Angeles' backstop Paul Lo Duca, and might eventually lead to Randy Johnson's arrival in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers sent Lo Duca, former Marlins outfielder Juan Encarnacion, and unhittable middle reliever Guillermo Mota to Florida in exchange for Penny, first baseman Hee Sop Choi, and Double-A pitching prospect Bill Murphy.
The deal is fueling speculation that the Dodgers are close to agreeing to a trade with the Diamondbacks that could net them the biggest prizes of this year's trade market: Johnson, outfielder Steve Finley, or perhaps even both. Rumors early on Friday suggested that Los Angeles might send Penny, outfielder Jason Werth, and a couple prospects to the desert.
With Saturday's deadline looming, we'll find out soon enough where the Big Unit will finish off the rest of his remarkable season. Until then, however, let's examine what this deal means for fantasy owners.
The Dodgers, assuming they keep their new toys, have landed a 26-year-old, front-of-the-rotation starter in Penny. After two seasons with an ERA above 4.00, he has seemingly turned the corner this year, putting together an 8-8 record with stellar totals in ERA (3.15), WHIP (1.24), and strikeouts (105). His workload is a bit concerning for a youngster—he's headed toward his third 200-inning campaign in the last four seasons—but he's entering his prime. Starting half of his games in Dodger Stadium won't hurt his stingy nature.
Choi, on the other hand, will likely have a tough time producing at Chavez Ravine. This season, he has flashed good power (15 homers, 40 RBI) and managed to bring his average up to .270. However, he initially struggled to hit for average after being traded by the Cubs (hitting .221 in May), and he certainly wouldn't be the first hitter to falter in Los Angeles.
Choi's arrival, and the departure of Encarnacion, sends current Dodgers first baseman Shawn Green back to right field. While Green is more comfortable there, don't expect much change in his offensive output.
In another move on Friday, the Dodgers added Colorado catcher Charles Johnson (for a player to be named later) in order to replace Lo Duca. Like Choi, Johnson's offense will suffer, especially coming over from Coors Field. The veteran has already cooled off considerably since a hot start—he has only one homer and a .248 average since June 1—and that could slow to a crawl in L.A.
As for the defending champion Marlins, the Fish entered the week feeling they needed to bolster a middle-of-the-pack offense, and they did just that in adding Lo Duca and Encarnacion to their everyday lineup. Lo Duca is in the midst of a huge offensive year, his best since a 25-homer, 90-RBI season in 2001.
His 10 homers, 49 RBI, and .301 average are exceptional for a catcher, especially when you consider the negative effect of pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium. Lo Duca has slumped as of late, hitting just .236 since June 1. However, his power stroke is in full bloom; he launched six homers in July after parking only seven total all of last year.
Pro Player Stadium is certainly no Coors Field, but anything is an upgrade over Chavez Ravine. Encarnacion's fortunes after being shipped from Florida to Los Angeles this offseason are a perfect example. Juan's power numbers are on pace with his totals from a year ago, but his average is 35 points lower, and he has hit a dreadful .226 at home this season. He hit .294 at Pro Player Stadium last year and should feel awfully comfortable returning to South Florida.
Relief pitcher Guillermo Mota is no throw-in. He's been sensational over the last two seasons in a set-up role for closer Eric Gagne and has compiled an 8-4 record with a 2.14 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 52 strikeouts this season. He doesn't have as much value as Francisco Rodriguez, but he will protect leads for Florida's starters and hand over more chances for closer Armando Benitez. It's also worth noting that Benitez is currently sidelined with elbow tendonitis, and Mota provides insurance in case those arm troubles linger.
The rest of the Marlins' lineup will not change much. Encarnacion and fantasy stud Miguel Cabrera will man the corner outfield spots and veteran Jeff Conine will stay in the lineup at first base.
by Court E. Mann - Associate Editor, Fanball.com
Saturday, July 31, 2004
A suspiciously quiet week gave way on Friday to what may spark a fantastic finish at Saturday's 4 p.m. EST trade deadline.
The Dodgers and Marlins agreed to a six-player blockbuster that includes Florida's starting pitcher Brad Penny, Los Angeles' backstop Paul Lo Duca, and might eventually lead to Randy Johnson's arrival in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers sent Lo Duca, former Marlins outfielder Juan Encarnacion, and unhittable middle reliever Guillermo Mota to Florida in exchange for Penny, first baseman Hee Sop Choi, and Double-A pitching prospect Bill Murphy.
The deal is fueling speculation that the Dodgers are close to agreeing to a trade with the Diamondbacks that could net them the biggest prizes of this year's trade market: Johnson, outfielder Steve Finley, or perhaps even both. Rumors early on Friday suggested that Los Angeles might send Penny, outfielder Jason Werth, and a couple prospects to the desert.
With Saturday's deadline looming, we'll find out soon enough where the Big Unit will finish off the rest of his remarkable season. Until then, however, let's examine what this deal means for fantasy owners.
The Dodgers, assuming they keep their new toys, have landed a 26-year-old, front-of-the-rotation starter in Penny. After two seasons with an ERA above 4.00, he has seemingly turned the corner this year, putting together an 8-8 record with stellar totals in ERA (3.15), WHIP (1.24), and strikeouts (105). His workload is a bit concerning for a youngster—he's headed toward his third 200-inning campaign in the last four seasons—but he's entering his prime. Starting half of his games in Dodger Stadium won't hurt his stingy nature.
Choi, on the other hand, will likely have a tough time producing at Chavez Ravine. This season, he has flashed good power (15 homers, 40 RBI) and managed to bring his average up to .270. However, he initially struggled to hit for average after being traded by the Cubs (hitting .221 in May), and he certainly wouldn't be the first hitter to falter in Los Angeles.
Choi's arrival, and the departure of Encarnacion, sends current Dodgers first baseman Shawn Green back to right field. While Green is more comfortable there, don't expect much change in his offensive output.
In another move on Friday, the Dodgers added Colorado catcher Charles Johnson (for a player to be named later) in order to replace Lo Duca. Like Choi, Johnson's offense will suffer, especially coming over from Coors Field. The veteran has already cooled off considerably since a hot start—he has only one homer and a .248 average since June 1—and that could slow to a crawl in L.A.
As for the defending champion Marlins, the Fish entered the week feeling they needed to bolster a middle-of-the-pack offense, and they did just that in adding Lo Duca and Encarnacion to their everyday lineup. Lo Duca is in the midst of a huge offensive year, his best since a 25-homer, 90-RBI season in 2001.
His 10 homers, 49 RBI, and .301 average are exceptional for a catcher, especially when you consider the negative effect of pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium. Lo Duca has slumped as of late, hitting just .236 since June 1. However, his power stroke is in full bloom; he launched six homers in July after parking only seven total all of last year.
Pro Player Stadium is certainly no Coors Field, but anything is an upgrade over Chavez Ravine. Encarnacion's fortunes after being shipped from Florida to Los Angeles this offseason are a perfect example. Juan's power numbers are on pace with his totals from a year ago, but his average is 35 points lower, and he has hit a dreadful .226 at home this season. He hit .294 at Pro Player Stadium last year and should feel awfully comfortable returning to South Florida.
Relief pitcher Guillermo Mota is no throw-in. He's been sensational over the last two seasons in a set-up role for closer Eric Gagne and has compiled an 8-4 record with a 2.14 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 52 strikeouts this season. He doesn't have as much value as Francisco Rodriguez, but he will protect leads for Florida's starters and hand over more chances for closer Armando Benitez. It's also worth noting that Benitez is currently sidelined with elbow tendonitis, and Mota provides insurance in case those arm troubles linger.
The rest of the Marlins' lineup will not change much. Encarnacion and fantasy stud Miguel Cabrera will man the corner outfield spots and veteran Jeff Conine will stay in the lineup at first base.