Assessing Relative Value
Traditionally, writers suggest that being traded to the Yankees artificially increases a player's perceived value; with the team's recent acquisitions of Jeff Weaver and Raul Mondesi, we can take that theory for a kind of test-drive. For instance, since donning pinstripes Mondesi has been swapped even up twice for Bobby Abreu and once for J.D. Drew, who are significantly more valuable fantasy players; for a stud starter (Matt Morris); and twice for productive closers (Mike Williams and Jason Isringhausen). But these anomalies aside, for the most part Mondesi has been traded for comparable players like Jermaine Dye, Hideo Nomo and Randy Winn.

Whither Weaver?
The Yankees' trade for Jeff Weaver brought much more activity on the fantasy front, and the focus has been on closers, as saves become an ever more valuable commodity down the stretch. Weaver has, oddly enough, been dealt even up for both Mariano Rivera and for Mike Stanton, but also for a gamut of relievers ranging from Scott Stewart and Antonio Alfonseca to Billy Wagner, Danny Graves, and Isringhausen. And-- I am not making this up -- proving once and for all that some leagues collapse by mid-season, Weaver has also been dealt for 29-year-old RHP Chris Seelbach, who is having an excellent year for the Nippon Ham Fighters.

Mo Better Trades?
Speaking of Rivera, trade activity around the future Hall of Famer actually seems to be UP since his injury questions arose; one recent e-mail query asked if Odalis Perez was too much to offer for the Yankee closer, showing how much fortunes can change in a few months. Rivera has been swapped one-for-one recently to acquire players like Rafael Furcal (someone needed steals, obviously), Preston Wilson, and Aaron Boone. (That's right -- Aaron, not Bret). But he's also brought Jeff Kent, Bartolo Colon, Al Leiter, Miguel Tejada, Albert Pujols and Troy Glaus. If you can play up Rivera's injury and acquire him at the value level suggested here ...

Probable Starters 7/29: Hernandez @ TEX (Rogers) 7/30: Wells @ TEX (Myette) 7/31: Mussina @ TEX (Bell) 8/1: Weaver @ ANA (Washburn) 8/2: Pettitte @ ANA (Appier)

A Few More Notes on Value
Andy Pettitte and David Wells have been traded for each other twice, and each has been traded for LaTroy Hawkins, but Wells (John Smoltz, Billy Koch, Scott Rolen) has tended to bring higher returns than Pettitte (Juan Encarnacion, a struggling Roberto Alomar). Use that to your advantage; Pettitte will outpitch Wells the rest of the way ... Alfonso Soriano's relative value has been established as two closers (Ugueth Urbina and Kelvim Escobar ; Jose Mesa and Kelvim Escobar), or a stud starter and starting infielder (Greg Maddux and Jose Vidro; Derek Lowe and Robin Ventura). The only one-for-one deal involving Soriano brought back Pedro Martinez. Nice.

Elliptical Information ...
Speaking of trades, ignore those Duque to Montreal rumors ... Re-activated Sterling Hitchcock has no fantasy value, but should put to rest the Dan Plesac talk ... Robin Ventura's 16th career grand slam Sunday was career homer #268; the nine other players who have hit that many slams or more all have at least 442 career shots ... Roger Clemens may make another rehab start, and won't be rushed back; he felt no pain throwing 92 pitches for Tampa Saturday ... When Rocket does return, it could mean a trip to the pen for Weaver (8.00 ERA as a Yankee), but a hint for keeper leagues: his value will never be lower. Go get him.