Mark Teixeira: If Teixeira is traded; Arizona would be the best place for the switch-hitter to land for fantasy purposes. Turner Field, his current home stadium decreases left-handed batting power by 17% and is neutral for right-handed batting power where Chase Field increases left-handed batting power by 23% and right-handed by 7%. The Angels would be the worst team for him to be traded to, as their home stadium decreases both left and right batting power, 21% and 9% respectively.
Jason Isringhausen: Isringhausen is back in the closer role for the Cardinals. He has a nice strike out/ground ball package, 6.8 K/9 and a 50% GB%, but will need to cut back on the free passes, 4.4 BB/9, if he is going to keep the job.
Micah Owings: Owings continues to get shelled, 5.93 ERA, but outside of a slightly elevated 3.5 BB/9, there is nothing wrong with his skill set, 7.5 K/9. He can blame a ridiculous 58% strand rate, although it is possible that he has trouble pitching out of the stretch.
Jeff Samardzija: After pitching two innings for a save against Florida on Sunday night, Manager Lou Pineilla said that Samardzija could be in the mix for saves. It is doubtful that he will move ahead of Carlos Marmol, but if Marmol is unavailable on a certain night, Samardzija could get the call. Long-term, Samardzija still projects as a starter and he has the K’s to succeed in either role, 9.6 K/9 in 6 Triple-A starts, but will need to cut down on the walks, 5.0 in Double-A and 3.9 in Triple-A this year, before he can be trusted in any situation.
Ryan Church: Church should begin a rehab assignment tomorrow and could be back with the Mets in a week. Prior to the injury, Church was putting up solid numbers, 10/36/.307 in 205 AB, but with a declining FB%, 2006/2007/2008 FB%’s of 43%/35%/34%, and a tough home park, Shea Stadium reduces left-handed batting power by 11%, he could have trouble keeping the power up the rest of the way.
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