Today's Fantasy Rx

American League Relief Pitchers with DV of $0

Quick Key to the tables:
W = Wins.  S = Saves.  ERA = Earned Run Average (ER*9/IP).
WHIP = (Walks + Hits)/IP aka Ratio.  K = Strikeouts.  BB = Bases on Balls aka Walks.
H = Hits.  IP = Innings Pitched.  P = Pitches.  B = Bats.
2002 Age = Player's Age as of October 1, 2002.
4x4 = BA, HR, RBI, and SB in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
5x5 = BA, HR, RBI, SB, and R in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
DV = Draft Value (The price a player earned under a 65/35 hitting/pitching split).
AV = Actual Value (The price a player earned under a 50/50 hitting/pitching split).
Rotohelp = 2002 Rotohelp Predicted Draft Value.
LABR/Tout = 2002 Expert League prices; LABR for 4x4. Tout Wars for 5x5.

Average league worst BA, ERA, and WHIP provided for 2002 leagues courtesy of Rototimes, based on data compiled from TQ Stats.

Players are ranked in order from the highest draft value in a 4x4 league to the lowest. As the majority of fantasy leagues allow you to keep anyone traded to the other league, all players are listed in the league where they began the season. Pitchers who started half or more of their major league games in 2002 are listed with starters.

69.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Rich Rodriguez		3	1	5.40	1.50	12	11	14	16.2
TEX Rangers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	0		0
2002 Age: 39	5x5:	0		-1

Over the last three years Rodriguez has held lefties to a .670 OPS while right-handers abused him for a 1.001 mark, and since he also turn 40 on March 1st, he's only useful as a specialist. Anaheim will let him compete for a bullpen slot even though only his 1.64 G-F prevents his declining command from negating his already limited value. As he also missed the first half of 2002 with a circulation problem, I see no logical upside in considering Rodriguez for fantasy teams.

70.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Brian Bowles		2	0	4.05	1.35	19	14	13	20
TOR Blue Jays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		0		-2
2002 Age: 26	5x5:	0		-1		-2

Please take a look at our Fantasy Review of Toronto Prospects for comments on Bowles.

71.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Micah Bowie		2	0	1.50	1.67	8	8	12	12
OAK Athletics		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	0		0
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	-1		-1

Even though he appeared ready for the majors in 1999, his performance with the Cubs that season ranks as one of the worst debuts in baseball history due to his 9.96 ERA in 47 IP over 11 starts. Bowie fell to AA with Chicago in 2000 before joining Oakland the following season, and he's recovered his previously impressive skills while converting to relief over the last two years. He compiled a 3.13 ERA on a 64:24 K:BB in 54.2 IP with 40 H and 2 HR over 46 G at AAA Sacramento(PCL) in 2002, so the only surprising aspect to his post-promotion stats was his poor control. Now Oakland's bullpen looks extremely full, so Bowie will need a great spring to make the team, however he's a solid choice as in-season roster filler assuming he's demonstrating the solid skills we expect when you're looking to add him.

72.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Matt Ginter		1	1	4.47	1.47	37	21	59	54.1
CH White Sox		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		0		0		1
2002 Age: 24	5x5:	0		0		0		R

Despite displaying poor command in 13 games at AAA Charlotte(IL) in 2002, Ginter's minor league performance in previous seasons, as well as his fairly solid Major League stats, leads me to conclude he doesn't require any more development time. Of course he only turned 25 in December so he'd likely benefit from a few more months in the minors, and he should receive that chance since he's competing with a half-dozen teammates for only one or two open bullpen spots. I still like his long-term upside a lot even though he hasn't held promising dominance, control, or G-F ratios in Chicago, and he'll need to overcome a significant platoon split to avoid additional demotions. Ginter's a reasonable choice in Dollar Days since he could mature into a capable pitcher at any time, but he's a fairly risky pick unless you can stash him on your bench as desired.

73.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Chris Haney		0	1	4.20	1.40	15	10	32	30
BOS Red Sox		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	0		0
2002 Age: 33	5x5:	0		-1

Though he's absolutely excelled in the minors the last two seasons, including compiling a 2.79 ERA on a 31:10 K:BB in 29 IP over 25 G with AAA Pawtucket(IL) in 2002, Boston still released him at the end of August when they needed 40-man roster space for call-ups. He enters Braves' camp this year as Atlanta's third lefty reliever, and he only needs to beat out Mike Venafro to step into Chris Hammond's role. Unfortunately Haney suffers from a reverse platoon split, and I see no evidence he can maintain an acceptable level of command in the majors. Don't employ him as roster filler until he demonstrates decent skills in Atlanta over several appearance.

74.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Alex Herrera		0	0	0.00	0.75	5	1	3	5.1
CLE Indians		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	0		0
2002 Age: 25	5x5:	-1		-2

Please take a look at our Fantasy Review of Cleveland Prospects for comments on Herrera.

75.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
David Elder		0	0	3.13	1.39	23	14	18	23
CLE Indians		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		0
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	0		-1

Please take a look at our Fantasy Review of Cleveland Prospects for comments on Elder.

76.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Carl Sadler		1	0	4.43	1.28	23	11	15	20.1
CLE Indians		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	0		0
2002 Age: 25	5x5:	0		-1

Please take a look at our Fantasy Review of Cleveland Prospects for comments on Sadler.

77.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Francisco Rodriguez		0	0	0.00	0.88	13	2	3	5.2
ANA Angels		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		0
2002 Age: 20	5x5:	-1		-1

Please take a look at our Fantasy Review of Anaheim Prospects for comments on KRod.

78.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Wayne Gomes		1	1	4.64	1.50	15	12	20	21.1
BOS Red Sox		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		0
2002 Age: 29	5x5:	-1		-2

Gomes looked like a future closer in 1998, saved 19 games in unimpressive fashion the following year, and now hasn't demonstrated acceptable command in four seasons. A 61:40 K:BB in 81 IP with 82 H and 9 HR between AAA Nashville(PCL) and AAA Pawtucket(IL) don't indicate that he's recovered his lost skills, and a look over his career stats suggests that his 1998 success might have been an early peak rather than an indication of future promise. Even his G-F has dropped from 2.35 to 1.03 over the last few years, leaving Gomes as a much too risky pick in nearly any league.

79.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Pedro Borbon		4	1	5.36	1.55	50	25	53	50.1
TOR/HOU		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	0		-1		0
2002 Age: 34	5x5:	0		0		0

His skills peaked in 2001 thanks to a 2.0 BB/9, so while his 8.9 K/9 last season indicates future success, I'm quite concerned about his 4.5 BB/9. A career-worst .57 G-F in 2002 also leaves him with significant downside especially since he'll need to visit parks in Colorado and Arizona after joining the Dodgers. As right-handers tattooed him for a 1.109 OPS in just under 100 plate appearances, his qualitative stats will remain poor unless Los Angeles restricts him to a specialist role, and I don't even see him succeeding thanks to the combination of declining control and a likely increasing homer rate. Even employing Borbon as roster filler during Dodgers' homestands looks unnecessarily risky to me.

80.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Travis Harper		5	1	5.46	1.49	60	27	101	85.2
TB Devil Rays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		-1		-2
2002 Age: 26	5x5:	0		0		-2

Tampa Bay's decision to non-tender Sturtze, Yan, and Paul Wilson leaves Joe Kennedy, Victor Zambrano, and Harper as the only quality veterans remaining on the Devil Rays. While Harper's exact role appears uncertain at this time, he belongs in the majors after compiling a 132:41 K:BB in 175 IP with 171 H and 30 HR over 29 starts between the last two seasons at AAA Durham(IL). Now the obvious problem with his minor league numbers is that 1.5 homer rate, and his ever-improving 1.15 G-F suggests he'll improve in the majors. Unfortunately he also suffered from several poor splits in the major, struggling in the second half, against left-handers, and on the road. Perhaps the one bright spot is that although he posted an 8.33 ERA on a 17:11 K:BB in 31.1 IP over his seven starts, he registered a 3.81 ERA on a 43:16 K:BB in 54.1 IP with 59 H and 6 HR over 30 relief appearances. Harper should succeed as either a middle reliever or even a closer, and the questions surrounding Tampa's pen make him a good gamble for a buck or two, especially if the Rays enter the season using a bullpen-by-committee.

81.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Matt Wise		0	0	3.24	0.96	6	1	7	8.1
ANA Angels		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		-1		-1		1
2002 Age: 26	5x5:	-1		-2		-1		2

Wise remained on-call for Anaheim at AAA Salt Lake(PCL), but allowing a 5.42 ERA thanks to a 102 H and 12 HR somewhat negates the impressiveness of his 76:15 K:BB in 78 IP over 16 GS. However he's posted excellent command marks since Anaheim drafted him in 1997, and he'd receive much better defensive support from the Angels than he saw in the minors. He looks ready to either start or relieve on a regular basis, although he'll likely spend one more year at Salt Lake since I believe he has one option left and he provides valuable insurance for the big league pitching staff. Feel free to employ Wise whenever he's recalled since we know he's quite capable of approaching double-digit value while echoing the 2002 performances of John Lackey and Mickey Callaway if given the opportunity.

82.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Mike Porzio		2	0	4.81	1.47	33	23	40	43
CH White Sox		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	0		-1		-5
2002 Age: 30	5x5:	0		-1		-5

Porzio has a better chance to break camp with the Sox than most pitchers competing for a third lefty relief spot since he spent a few months with Chicago in a similar role in 2002. Of course despite a mostly decent minor league career, I see no evidence he's prepared to succeed in relief given his 4.8 BB/9, 2.1 HR/9, and .66 G-F. There's simply too much downside here to consider Porzio for fantasy teams at this time.

83.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Josh Hancock		0	0	3.68	0.95	6	2	5	7.1
BOS Red Sox		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		-1
2002 Age: 24	5x5:	-1		-2

Please take a look at our Fantasy Review of Hancock Prospects for comments on Hancock.

84.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Scott Cassidy		1	0	5.73	1.27	48	32	52	66
TOR Blue Jays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		-1		-3
2002 Age: 26	5x5:	0		-1		-3

Even though his teammates regularly let him down, allowing Cassidy to finish the season as the reliever who received the fifth least help from succeeding relievers in keeping Cassidy's runs from scoring, Cassidy still displayed fairly unimpressive skills. Toronto wisely outrighted him after the season to open up a 40-man slot since while they needed him to eat relief innings in 2002, he really needs another year of development time. A 4.4 BB/9, 1.6 HR/9, and .80 G-F leave him with little immediate upside given the limited dominance indicated by his 6.5 K/9. I expect Cassidy to find success in a more prominent role in the majors by 2005, however he's unlikely to provide much fantasy help this season.

85.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Chris Brock		2	0	4.70	1.50	21	14	52	44
BAL Orioles		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		-1		-3
2002 Age: 31	5x5:	-1		-2		-3

Though a capable AAAA pitcher, Brock hasn't seen much extended success even though he's spent most of the last few years in the majors. Now his 2.8 walk rate in 2002 certainly impresses me given his questionable control marks in the past, however I didn't expect his strikeout rate to drop from 6.7 to 4.3 K/9 over the last two seasons. Baltimore released Brock once the seasons ended, and he hasn't even found a job this season to my knowledge. Since we also can't count on him displaying decent skills, there's no reason for you to roster him.

86.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Lee Gardner		1	0	4.05	1.50	8	8	12	13.1
TB Devil Rays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		-1
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	-1		-2

Please take a look at our Fantasy Review of Tampa Bay Prospects for comments on Gardner.

50 Days to Choose Your Pitchers: '03 continues tomorrow with more American League relievers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: While we see another group of pitchers today with very little immediate roto upside, I like the potential of a few of the above relievers more than almost anyone I've discussed since early in the week. Only Francisco Rodriguez among the rookies could approach double-digit value in 2003, however I expect we'll see Herrera, Elder, Sadler, and Hancock all spend several years in the majors. However the mostly unheralded gems today are Travis Harper and Matt Wise. Although both likely would struggle if needed as starters early in the season, I like the upside of both pitchers in relief and believe they could mature into closers in the very near future under the proper circumstances. Harper obviously faces far less competition in Tampa Bay than Wise in Anaheim, but I see little reason not to target either player as Dollar Days gambles or even just roster filler whenever you need pitchers and they're available.