Sat, Jul 31, 2004 at 4:15pm

LOAIZA FOR CONTRERAS

The New York Yankees acquired pitcher Esteban Loaiza from the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Jose Contreras and cash considerations.

What does it give the New York Yankees
Over his past seven starts, Loaiza's value has dropped in a big way, looking more like the frustratingly inconsistent pitcher he was before breaking through last year as the second best pitcher in the AL, according to Cy Young voters. He's never really been a big-game pitcher, but can have a big game here and there. In fact, when he's on, he pitches like an ace. So the Yanks are hoping they'll have the latter in the middle of their rotation.

What does it give the Chicago White Sox
Contreras had been just as frustrating for the Yankees as Loaiza had become in Chicago. Like Loaiza, he either looked like an ace or a goat from start to start. And the White Sox are hoping a change of scenery will bring the ace out of him like it did for Loaiza last year.

Fantasy impact

Player focus

Chicago White Sox

Jose Contreras P

cash considerations

New York Yankees

Esteban Loaiza P