Fantasy impact of players sitting on trading block

	The much-traveled Kenny Lofton seems ready to help out another contender at the trade deadline. John Rivera/Icon SMI

By John Rakowski, Special to SI.com, SportsGrumblings.com

There are many significant fantasy performers rumored to be moving in major deals, and with the trade deadline on July 31, expect some major movement in the next couple of weeks. The Rangers, A's, White Sox, Reds and Royals are all confirmed sellers. (Half the Texas roster can be had in a deal.) After a trade, you will see a lot of postmortem analysis of whether a move was good or bad for a particular player. By that time, however, it may be too late to pick him up off waivers if it's a good move. Conversely, it may be too late to unload him in a deal if the move is damaging.

Let's be proactive and look at the potential impact if some of these players change uniforms. We will concentrate on each player's current situation. If a player is in a favorable situation (ballpark, lineup, etc.) then a move is more likely to hurt his fantasy value (i.e., for worse.) If he is in a somewhat unfavorable situation, then a change of scenery could help (i.e., for better.)

For Better

1. Kenny Lofton, OF, Rangers: Lofton is not the type to suffer if dealt, even though he would be leaving a hitter-friendly park. True, he has hit five of his six homers at home, but you don't expect homers from Lofton anyway. You are looking for steals and average. He is a .301 hitter on the road and has stolen 16 bases away from Arlington. A move for Lofton would have minimal downside.

2. Mike Piazza, C/DH, Athletics: With Piazza close to coming off the DL, the A's have to figure out what to do with him now that Jack Cust has emerged as their DH. Piazza could help a contender and anywhere he goes would almost certainly be a better hitter's park than Oakland's McAfee Coliseum. Though he may not own a catcher's mitt anymore, as long as Piazza has that "C" next to his name, he is a fantasy commodity.

3. Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox: Dye is struggling at home, despite the fact the U.S. Cellular Field is a hitter's park. At Chicago, Dye is hitting .201, with six homers and a pathetic .374 slugging percentage. On the road, he is a more respectable .253, with 10 homers and a .506 slugging percentage. Dye is feeling the wrath of the frustrated White Sox fans and a change of scenery, anywhere, would be an improvement.

4. Dontrelle Willis, SP, Marlins: Willis has been in the middle of trade rumors several seasons and this may finally be the year that he moves. He has declined since his 22-win season in 2005. The league is hitting a healthy .285 against him, which is over 40 points higher than they did in 2005. Dolphin Stadium is spacious, but Willis actually has a lower ERA and five of his seven wins on the road. Change is good.

5. Dan Johnson, 1B, Athletics: The A's are entertaining offers for Johnson as well as Piazza. Deals to a better teams and more hitter-friendly parks would help them both.

Honorable Mention

Jose Contreras, SP, White Sox: Contreras would benefit from a better supporting cast, and a more pitcher-friendly park. He becomes marginally useful in fantasy if traded to a contender that can score a few runs.