Wed, Jan 4, 2006 at 4:00pm

SEO DEALT TO DODGERS

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired pitcher Jae Seo and minor-league pitcher Tim Hamulack from the New York Mets for pitchers Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll.

What does it give the Los Angeles Dodgers
After the recent signing of Brett Tomko, the Dodgers just needed to find a fifth starter to round out their rotation, and Seo should give them that. Owner of a nice splitter, the 28-year-old righty looked brilliant in 14 starts with the Mets last year, following a couple of merely decent seasons in the Mets' rotation. They can't expect him to be as good as he was in August and September, but even Seo at his typical form will give them a solid fifth starter. In Hamulack, the Dodgers welcome a lefty with great size, but limited big-league experience in a 10-year pro career. A magnificent performance in the Mets' minor-league bullpens got him his first taste of the Show in September, but he was hammered. But on a roster with few experienced left-handed relievers, he could get a shot with a good spring.

What does it give the New York Mets
A big part of the Mets' off-season has been spent upgrading the upper tier of their bullpen, having signed closer Billy Wagner and setup man Chad Bradford. Now Sanchez will give them another quality right arm for the late innings. He's relatively young, throws blazing heat and could even fill in as closer if anything happens to Wagner. At 25, Schmoll is the youngest player in this deal and is coming off a mediocre rookie campaign in the Dodgers' bullpen. He throws deceptively from down-under with good movement on his fastball and promises to only become a more effective reliever. The Mets have done a good job here to improve their bullpen while dealing from their rotation depth.

Fantasy impact

Player focus

Los Angeles Dodgers

Tim Hamulack P

Jae Seo P