DODGERS, MARLINS SWAP KEY PLAYERS
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired pitcher Brad Penny, first baseman Hee Seop Choi and minor-league pitcher Bill Murphy from the Florida Marlins for outfielder Juan Encarnacion, catcher Paul Lo Duca and pitcher Guillermo Mota.
What does it give the Los Angeles Dodgers
Penny is a strong right-handed starter working on a career year and only figures to make one of the top pitching staffs in the game even better. Their rotation has been lefty-heavy and Penny gives them that really strong righty they've been missing. Acquiring Choi and trading Encarnacion solves a season-long problem for the Dodgers, allowing the Shawn Green experiment at first base to come to an end. He heads to right field, while Choi provides not only a good glove at first but an extra big bat in the lineup. Murphy is a good young southpaw who has a deceptive delivery and projects as a good mid-rotation starter in the majors.
What does it give the Miami Marlins
For the second time in two years, the Fish acquire Encarnacion at the trade deadline, having netted him from the Reds in July of 2002. He was having a disappointing year in L.A. but the trade could rejuvenate him, as he seemed to enjoy hitting in Florida last year. Lo Duca finally solves the problem the Marlins have had behind the plate all year, giving them a strong defensive backstop who also has a strong bat. And Mota just might sneak in and become the best part of this deal for the Marlins. The big righty is one of the best setup men in the game and gives them a great one-two punch in the eight and ninth inning along with closer Armando Benitez.
Fantasy impact
