Fantasy source

ROTO RAP

Several players with significant fantasy value changed teams at the trading deadline. Some fit their new situations like a glove; others don't.

Looking good

Nomar Garciaparra, SS Cubs. Garciaparra was not happy in Boston, and the trade to Chicago has given him a flesh start. He has upside in the season's final weeks. His Achilles' injury is a concern, but he has proved he still can play well. If you're looking to acquire a run scorer, Garciaparra is it; he will be batting second in a loaded lineup.

Orlando Cabrera, SS, Red Sox. Cabrera left the Expos' league-worst offense and joined one of baseball's best lineups. He now is playing his home games at hitter-friendly Fenway Park. Cabrera likely will be batting fifth, sixth or seventh with Boston. He was a career .269 hitter entering the season, and he batted .297 in 2003, so expect his .243 average this season to improve.

Paul Lo Duca, C, Marlins. Florida lost its leader when Ivan Rodriguez went to Detroit as a free agent. It eventually replaced him with the Dodgers' heart and soul. The move to Miami won't necessarily improve Lo Duca's numbers, but it will help his new teammates, who now have another capable bat in the lineup.

Ugly ducklings

Stove Finley, OF, Dodgers. Finley was acquired to add punch to the L.A. lineup, but be skeptical about how much help he'll provide. Dodger Stadium is one of the game's most pitcher-friendly parks, and 32 of the Dodgers' last 49 games are against teams that have a shot at the playoffs.

Esteban Loaiza, SP, Yankees. His ERA is 4.97, proving he is a bigger one-hit wonder than Katrina and the Waves. And now Loaiza, who had 21 wins in 2003, has The Boss and Yankees fans to answer to.

M@IL BONDING

CHRIS BAHR ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Who has better keeper value for next season, the Brewers' Ben Sheets or the Twins' Johan Santana?

Jeff Tripoli Syracuse, N.Y.

Jeff: You can't go wrong with either pitcher, and they are young enough that they figure to get even better. But I like Santana more. There was plenty of concern earlier this season when Santana looked nothing like the starter he was in 2003, but he was dominant in June and July (7-3, 1.72 ERA) and has been piling up strikeouts.

Sheets is no slouch, but run support will continue to be an issue with Milwaukee. Santana's strikeout totals should remain slightly better than Sheets'.

To submit a question to our fantasy experts, click on Daily Mail at http://fantasy.sportingnews.com.

TSNumber .229

Mets catcher/first baseman Mike Piazza's batting average in August from 2001 through the end of last week. August is his worst month by far, and give his 162 average this past July, it again could be cruel to him.

PROSPECT WATCH

Already here

Koyie Hill, C, Diamondbacks. Hill's power is improving; after hitting three home runs last season, he had 13 at Class AM Las Vegas before being traded to Arizona. Hill will be the D-backs' everyday catcher the rest of the way. He might struggle with his batting average as he adjusts to the majors, but he'll be a solid second catcher in N.L.-only leagues.

Coming soon

Brendan Harris, 3B, Expos. Harris, 23, moved through the Cubs' system quickly, then was dealt to Montreal as part of the Nomar Garciaparra deal. Harris still is developing power, and he has played solid defense at second and third base. Second baseman Jose Vidro is signed through 2008, so Harris will play third with the Expos, likely as early as the start of the 2005 season.--Mark Allen Haverty

TOP FIVE

Young keepers:

1 Oliver Perez, SP, Pirates. Perez always has been a strikeout pitcher, but the difference this year is improved control. Power-pitching lefties don't come along often, and that's why he's No. 1.

2 Bobby Crosby, SS, Athletics. Crosby must cut down on his strikeouts, but he has shown plenty of power and is handling everyday duty in the field as well as could be expected.

3 Joe Mauer, C, Twins. Injuries have dogged Mauer all season, but he showed enough when healthy to be considered in this class. If Mauer develops more power, he could be the next Ivan Rodriguez.

4 Zack Greinke, SP, Royals. A lack of run support has forced Greinke, 20, to try to be perfect, and that might be wearing on him. But he has the look and command to be outstanding for years to come.

5 B.J. Upton, SS, Devil Rays. Upton, 19, is getting an extended big-league look with Tampa Bay. He could be the team's starter in 2005 and has the potential to hit for average, steal bases and develop power.

--George Winkler

PLAY ACTION

by ROB HURTT

Life can be full of disappointments. There are big ones: "Dang, I didn't get that job." There are little ones: "The vending machine won't give me my candy bar."

Then there are fantasy football disappointments: "That good-for-nothing Tiki Barber fumbled on the 2 again."

As fantasy owners, we try to limit these disappointments by drafting wisely. It helps to identify players who, though not likely to fall on their faces, still could fall short of expectations.