By Rob Shaw
FANTASYFANATICS.COM
We are now a day away from the major league trade deadline and another blockbuster trade has passed through. For the second year in a row Mark Teixeira is on the move. Diamondbacks hurler Micah Owings was also sent packing, but not for another major league team. Plus, outspoken outfielders Manny Ramirez and Jose Guillen both hope to swap venues. We cover all of our bases with some fantasy insight in our look at the day’s Headlines.
MARK TEIXEIRA TRADED TO ANGELS
Ranked as one of the best collegiate players in the nation, the Texas Rangers drafted Mark Teixeira with the fifth pick of the 2001 draft out of Georgia Tech. After blasting 19 home runs with a .318 average in his minor league debut, Teixeira reached the Big Leagues the very next season. Despite impressing the Rangers with 26 home runs and 84 RBI, the hard-hitting first baseman missed out on the Rookie of the Year award ranking behind Angel Berroa and Jody Gerut among others. The next season, Teixeira reached super stardom with 38 home runs, 112 RBI, and a respectable .281 average. His career season followed as he smoked 43 home runs, 144 RBI, and a .301 average. Struggles followed early in 2006, as Big Tex had just nine home runs with a .275 average by the all-star break. One of the most remarkable second halves turned the season around as Teixeira blasted 24 home runs with 61 RBI in the final 74 games. After another slow start last season with just 12 home runs at the all-star break, the Rangers traded Teixeira to the Braves for catching prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Once again a strong second half ensued with 18 home runs and 64 RBI in 71 games. In a contract year, and at the age of 28, Teixeira should be in his prime.
Fantasy managers have to be impressed with Teixeira’s solid 20 home runs and 78 RBI. In fact, the majority of those home runs have come in the past two months, as Teixeira powered nine long balls and 23 RBI in 27 games in June alone. Always a fine second half hitter, fantasy managers should be thrilled with the trade to Los Angeles. A middle of the lineup consisting of Vladimir Guerrero, Teixeira, and Torii Hunter should rank among the best in the majors. In addition, Teixeira is proven in the American League, and last year proved that an in-season trade won’t hurt his production either. The blockbuster deal should pay dividends for Vladimir Guerrero as well, as he’ll likely see plenty more fat fastballs to hit due to the opposition’s fear of putting runners on base for Teixeira.
CASEY KOTCHMAN TRADED TO THE BRAVES
I don’t like this move much for Atlanta. In fact, I’d argue that they would have been better off keeping Adam LaRoche a few seasons ago, rather than settling for Casey Kotchman. Fantasy baseball managers have heard about Kotchman for years, as he and Dallas McPherson were two blue chip prospects expected to lead the Angels. Unfortunately, that never materialized for McPherson, who is now stuck in the minor leagues with the Florida Marlins organization (he has 38 home runs, but 124 strikeouts in 98 games at Triple A). Kotchman, on the other hand, has been steady at the major league level, but he has little power. The thirteenth overall selection of the 2001 draft, Kotchman hit a solid .296 in 443 at bats last season for the Angels. The issue at hand is the fact that he has yet to turn his line drive doubles into home runs. As a first baseman, power is a must, in fantasy baseball. Kotchman never hit more than 10 home runs in a minor league season, and blasted just 11 long balls last year. This season, he has improved with 12 round-trippers and 54 RBI. It is always possible that the power will materialize, but at the age of 25, the patience is wearing thin for fantasy managers. On a positive note, Kotchman has blasted three home runs the past four games, and a change of scenery might do him well. Ultimately, the Florida native has a lot to prove before getting compared to other former Braves first basemen such as legend Fred McGriff or even Adam LaRoche.
MICAH OWINGS SENT TO THE MINORS
A hard-throwing right-hander, Micah Owings started the season at a perfect 4-0 with a 3.48 ERA, while owning a ratio better than 3 strikeouts per walk. The fall from grace was not expected. Since then Owings has gone 2-9, while his monthly ERA has climbed to 4.74 in May, 8.22 in June, and finally, 11.37 in July. While he has remained hot at the plate with a home run and a .288 average this season, the Diamondbacks hope a return to the minor leagues will straighten out his pitching. Yusmeiro Petit will replace Owings in the rotation for now and is a solid fantasy option. Petit once held super-prospect status as he dominated the minor leagues with the New York Mets before getting traded for Carlos Delgado. He has been sensational this season as the opposition is hitting just .182 off him through 24.2 innings. His record is an even 1-1, while his ERA is a solid 2.55. Petit should be a fine fantasy option for his next start coming August 2 at Dodgers Stadium.
MANNY RAMIREZ WANTS OUT OF BOSTON
Apparently a fight with Kevin Youkilis in the dugout and calling out his ownership was enough to throw Manny Ramirez back in the trade blotter. While the New York Post reported that the Dodgers are interested, I’d expect the Red Sox to keep their team intact to defend their World Series championship. Any move away from Fenway hurts Ramirez, who has taken advantage of the Green Monster.
JOSE GUILLEN WANTS OUT OF KANSAS CITY
The one player who makes Milton Bradley look like an angel is once again unhappy. The 32-year old outfielder has played for eight teams in the past eight years, and is in his first season under a large contract with the Royals. The contract alone will likely keep Guillen in Kansas City, though the Yankees or Mets may be desperate enough to force a move. Any move away from the long-suffering Royals lineup would be a positive when it comes to fantasy value for Guillen. Recently plagued by a sore groin, Guillen blasted a home run on Monday night. He now has 14 on the season with a solid 69 RBI.