By JIMMY D / MLB fantasy impact of trade deadline | Jimmy's archive

Only in baseball, where they have stats for everything and 9 million players in 428 minor leagues, would they need two trade deadlines.

And today is the first one, where teams can swap players unfettered. The Aug. 31 deadline requires a player to sail through waivers before being traded, which adds an element of risk to transactions and typically yields a smaller harvest of fantasy-league-altering moves.

Planning your roster moves or trade machinations in advance of the deadline is always tricky. A player may be rumoured to be headed to Team A, where his fantasy value could skyrocket. But what happens if he gets traded to Team B, where he is a bit player?

The dumb-dumb sheep in your league will catch on after the trade has happened and you won’t be able to fleece them in a trade.

In any event, all has been very quiet on the trade front so far. And some of the few moves were precipitated by injuries last week.

Mark Teixeira to Braves for Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Big Tex gives the Braves an imposing presence in the batting order as well as an imposing task next year when he becomes a free agent. Tex has struggled in Texas this season, while Saltalamacchia is a keeper-pool stud at catcher or 1B.  And just for fun, say his last name three times really fast.

Tad Iguchi to the Phillies

The Chisox 2B has struggled at times this season, but was a welcome addition when stud Chase Utley broke a bone in his hand. Iguchi’s power, steals and average are all down this year from 2006, but he slips into the No. 2 spot in the order and could see a spike in production if he gets on base ahead of Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard.

Ty Wigginton to the Astros

If your league rewards players with multiple-position status, then Wigginton is a useful pickup, both for the Astros and your fantasy roster. He is expected to play mainly 3B for the surging Astros, who have Brad Lidge back in control of the bullpen. Wiggy can go on the occasional hot streak and is a reliable .275 hitter with 25-homer pop.

Kenny Lofton (back) to the Indians

The speedy Lofton still has wheels and will be welcomed back in Cleveland, where he spent his most productive seasons. He is hitting over .300 and has 20+ steals and joins a more prolific lineup with the Tribe.

Rick Ankiel back to the Cards?

Guess what? The leader of the gang that couldn’t chuck straight and the pitcher whose playoff meltdown in 2000 against the Braves was comedy and tragedy rolled into one is no longer a Wildman on the hill. But just because he couldn’t throw straight doesn’t mean he can’t hit straight.

The converted outfielder has 29 homers in the minors, second overall among all prospects and has-beens. With the Cards shopping players and likely out of the NL Central chase, Ankiel could be back and could be worth a flier in your league. It would at least shake things up when you pluck him off the waiver wire. 

Evan Longoria

No, not the actress chick who married Tony Parker of the Spurs, the dude’s name is EVAN. And he’s a power-hitting 3B in the Tampa Bay system likely to see action in 2007. With Wiggy traded and Tampa juggling lineups and nursing injuries (Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford were both original Jimmyville Jackals this season), Longoria could see an August or September call-up. He is an excellent keeper-league seed if he is not already planted on a roster in your pool.

Back from the DL

Miguel Tejada returned with a flourish and some hot hitting against the Yankees. The SS suffered a power outage this season, but maybe the pop will return after a month of rest.

Brett Myers threw a perfect inning Saturday is his return to the Phillies bullpen. With the closer a constant work-in-progress in Philly, his return makes him a tempting waiver-wire pickup in your league. He Phillies are still in the hunt, although they are notorious for gagging down the stretch.

Back on the DL

Kenny Rogers is back on the 15-day DL with a sore elbow, after he laboured through his last three starts. With the Tiger pitching getting pounded last weekend in Anaheim, the staff might be in line for some veteran help as well. Rookie Jordan Tata was called up to replace Rogers.

Mike Napoli of the Angels hit the 15-day DL as well with a bad hammy. He is useful, mainly because of the absolute dearth of quality fantasy catchers, and the timing is bad for the Angels, who peddled backup Jose Molina to the Bronx last week.

Watch for the trades today and size up what each one means to your fantasy lineup. Stay busy, stay ahead of your rivals and stay lucky.

Email Jimmy at jpoole@herald.ca .