Miguel Olivo: When Olivo was starting for the Marlins, his low batting average, .237 last year, was tolerable in NL-only leagues because he brought some power to the table, 16 home runs in 452 AB in 2007. Now that he is a backup in Kansas City, it is not worth the trouble to carry him on an AL-only roster. His approach at the plate is so poor, 73% Ct% and a 3% BB%, that there is very little chance that he will hit for even a decent average. Without the playing time, it is worth the damage to your team batting average for a few home runs.
Raul Ibanez: Although his 2007 was quite productive, 21/105/.291, it was a drop-off from his improbable career year at the age of 33 in 2006, 33/123/.289. Taking a look at his home run totals from 2003/2004/2005, #’s of 18/16/20, it is obvious that last year’s effort is more in line with his skill level since he turned 30.
Scott Moore: The 24 year-old Moore offers some intriguing power potential, 19 home runs in 321 Triple-A AB last year, but he will need to get some more lift on the ball, 46% GB% in 52 major league AB last year, to completely fulfill his power potential. The rest of his package, 4% BB% and a 69% Ct% in 96 career AB, points to a free swinger, who will most likely hurt a fantasy team’s batting average.
Jermaine Dye: Last season Dye suffered a big drop-off, 28/78/.254, from his career year in 2006, 44/120/.315. Part of it can be blamed on a depressed .198 BHIP%. Now 34 years of age, last season could be the beginning of a power decline as his home runs dropped despite an increase in FB%, 40% to 46%. His batting average should rebound, just don’t expect 40+ home runs.
Jose Molina: The Yankees received some good news when they learned that Jorge Posada has a mild strain in his shoulder. He even started at DH last night. If it was something more serious, offensively the Yankees would have been in trouble if they had to use Molina as a starter for an extended period of time. With Molina you get the worst of all worlds; no power (1 HR in 191 AB in 2007) and a poor approach at the plate (77% Ct% and a 3% BB%, which translates into very little production, 1/19/.257 last year.
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