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Collective winning percentage of the N.L. and A.L. Central divisions, seven of whose 11 teams, including the Tigers, have losing records.
The trade deadline provided a deal a minute. If only they meant anything. Few of the big names--Jim Thome, Ellis Burks, Roberto Hernandez, Kenny Rogers, Ivan Rodriguez--were included in the action. Yet there were some players whose fantasy status improved in a blink.
* Sandy Alomar Jr., C, Rockies. Any regular position player who is traded to Colorado (and Coors Field) must be valued.
* Cliff Floyd, OF, Red Sox. Fenway Park is a mighty favorable place for lefty hitters. But anyplace is more favorable than Pro Player or Olympic stadiums. And this statistic provides hope he'll hit the ground running against A.L. pitching: From 1997-2001, Floyd batted .328 against A.L. pitching (.394 last season) and .291 against N.L. pitching.
* Kenny Lofton, OF, Giants. Pac Bell is murder on offensive stats, but the streaky Lofton usually controls his destiny regard less of the ballpark. The added motivation of a playoff hunt will energize him.
* Scott Rolen, 3B, Cardinals. Moving from Philly to a cozy lineup in St. Louis should help. Plus, Rolen's batteries will be charged because he's playing for one of two teams--the Reds are the other--close to his hometown (Jasper, Ind.). He will delight his owners.
* John Thomson, RHP, Mets. If he can post a 4.50 ERA at Coors Field this season, what will he do at Shea Stadium, a pitchers' park? Thomson, in his prime at 28, should flourish in New York.