Today's Fantasy Rx

American League Relief Pitchers with DV of $-2

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.

133.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Steve Woodard		0	0	6.62	1.58	14	8	20	17.2
TEX Rangers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:L	4x4:	-2		-3		-3
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	-1		-2		-3

After posting these poor numbers over two months with the Rangers, Woodard split the rest of 2002 between AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre(IL) and AAA Memphis(PCL), where he compiled a combined 55:9 K:BB in 65 IP with 70 H and 8 HR over 22 G(7GS). Of course Woodard's only noticeable problem has been very poor hit rates, and even his G-F looks solid as he posted a career-best 1.64 G-F last season. He unsurprisingly joined Boston for 2003, fortunately finding the one franchise likely to realize he could reemerge as a very useful pitcher if finally supported by a good defense. I don't expect him to break camp with the Red Sox given their sudden depth of highly skilled pitchers, but I suspect he'll post excellent numbers at Pawtucket and earn a midseason promotion. Feel free to grab him as soon as he reaches the majors with Boston since they should provide the necessary environment for him to succeed for the first time in a few years.

134.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Brandon Backe		0	0	6.92	1.69	6	7	15	13
TB Devil Rays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-3
2002 Age: 24	5x5:	-2		-4

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

135.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Brian Fitzgerald		0	0	8.53	2.05	3	2	11	6.1
SEA Mariners		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	-2		-3
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	-2		-4

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

136.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Pasqual Coco		0	0	18.00	7.00	0	3	4	1
TOR Blue Jays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-3		-3
2002 Age: 25	5x5:	-3		-4		-3

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

137.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Danny Patterson		0	0	15.00	2.33	1	2	5	3
DET Tigers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-3		3		R
2002 Age: 31	5x5:	-3		-4		2		R

Patterson signed a three-year deal for $7M a year ago January. He appeared in two April games before elbow soreness forced him to the DL, and he returned for four more games in June before a strained led MCL led to another MRI, after which someone finally realized he'd torn his MCL and needed Tommy John surgery. Now Patterson isn't even expected to return in 2003 and won't be near full strength until the 2004 trading deadline, meaning Detroit will have paid roughly $5.6M before he's prepared to effectively contribute. I hope they at least can convert him into a solid prospect in eighteen months in similar fashion to the Brian Moehler deal. He holds no value as a keeper for 2004 as he's not likely to ever close for the Tigers, rendering him completely undraftable this year.

138.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Mike Thurman		1	0	5.18	1.73	23	12	45	33
NY Yankees		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-3		-3
2002 Age: 29	5x5:	-3		-4		-3

Considering none of Cleveland's prospects have fully proven themselves at AAA, minor league free agent signings Dave Burba, Jason Beverlin, and Thurman easily could fill out the rotation for a couple months. Thurman even might look like an interesting gamble given his former prospect status and 3.52 ERA on a 51:14 K:BB in 76.2 IP with 83 H and 8 HR over 12 GS at AAA Columbus(IL) in 2002. Unfortunately Thurman is one of the most hittable pitchers in the majors, and he won't receive the necessary defensive support with the Indians. Now thanks to his 15:6 K:BB in 21.2 IP over 10 G for the Yankees last year and his career-best 1.61 G-F I see some upside for Thurman as a reliever, however I still wouldn't risk him ever as roster filler until he pitches effectively for a couple weeks in Cleveland.

139.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Chris Michalak		0	0	4.40	2.09	5	10	20	14.1
TEX Rangers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	-2		-3
2002 Age: 31	5x5:	-2		-4

He hasn't displayed consistently good command above A-ball, so his left-handedness is not sufficient reason for teams to keep sticking him at AAA. While he's demonstrated little skill since reaching the majors in 2001 for a badly-run Toronto team, I see nothing positive in his 2002 AAA stats; he posted a 5.77 ERA on 53:31 K:BB in 94.2 IP with 125 H and 15 HR between AAA Oklahoma(PCL) and AAA Pawtucket(IL). Since he's spending Spring Training with the Rockies, I certainly see no justification for drafting him this year.

140.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jason Standridge		0	0	9.00	3.67	1	4	7	3
TB Devil Rays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-3
2002 Age: 23	5x5:	-3		-4

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

141.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Dan Miceli		0	0	8.64	1.92	5	3	13	8.1
TEX Rangers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-3		0
2002 Age: 32	5x5:	-2		-4		0		1

Despite no report of any injury Miceli did not play for another team in 2002 after Texas released him in May. There's some chance he'll emerge as decent roster filler even after signing with the Rockies if he can maintain the command and dominance evidenced by his 93:37 K:BB in 102 IP with 105 H and 12 HR over the past three years, however he's certainly not worth the risk until he proves the layoff didn't affect his skills.

142.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Fernando Rodney		1	0	6	1.94	10	10	25	18
DET Tigers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-3
2002 Age: 25	5x5:	-3		-5

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

143.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jeff Tam		1	0	5.13	1.71	14	13	56	40.1
OAK Athletics		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-3		7		1
2002 Age: 32	5x5:	-3		-4		6		2

Although I understand Toronto's desire to improve their relief corps after their obvious pitching depth problem in 2002, Ricciardi erred in giving Tam a major league contract within days of the end of the World Series. Tam's command has deteriorated for the last two years, and even his 26:5 K:BB in 29 IP with 31 H and 2 HR at AAA Sacramento(PCL) doesn't allay my doubts. The only obvious positive in his skills is that Tam remains a solid groundball pitcher, even managing a career-best 2.54 G-F last season. Of course his pitiful 3.1 K/9 severely reduces his upside, and while he certainly could emerge as respectable in-season roster filler, don't risk drafting him.

144.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Steve Bechler		0	0	13.50	2.14	3	4	6	4.2
BAL Orioles		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4
2002 Age: 22	5x5:	-3		-5

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

145.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Sean DePaula		1	0	12.79	2.21	8	3	11	6.1
CLE Indians		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4
2002 Age: 28	5x5:	-3		-5

DePaula debuted in 1999 after beginning that year at A+ Kinston(Car), and he finished the season with an 18:3 K:BB in 11.2 IP over 11 G with 8 H and 0 HR before posting a 1.80 ERA on a 5:3 K:BB in 5 IP with 2 H and 0 HR over three appearances in the '99 Division Series. Then he lost his job in Spring Training of 2000 and demonstrated little command before hitting the DL in May; arm problems cost him almost all of the next season-and-a-half. Fortunately he rebounded once healthy at AAA Buffalo(IL) last season, compiling a 3.95 ERA and 9 Saves on a 53:18 K:BB in 57 IP with 55 H and 6 HR over 34 G. Cleveland repaid his hard work by outrighting him into minor league free agency in October to open up 40-man roster space for their prospects, instead of signing with some team with severe bullpen issues DePaula wound up in Cincinnati. I believe he merits an extended look in the majors this year as long as he displays decent command in Spring Training, however he's competing against 10 other NRIs, not to mention the two dozen pitchers on Cincy's 40-man roster. Keep an eye out for him during the season as potential roster filler, but I doubt he'll receive the necessary opportunity to earn PDV.

146.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Matt Anderson		2	0	9.00	2.27	8	8	17	11
DET Tigers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4		26		26
2002 Age: 26	5x5:	-2		-4		23		23

After working through his control problems during a three-year apprenticeship in middle relief, Anderson shifted to closer in 2001, and following a 52:18 K:BB in 56 IP with 56 H and 2 HR, he looked ready to fulfill his promise as the 1st player chosen in the 1997 draft. However after missing three weeks in the spring with shoulder stiffness he returned to the DL after his first game back in May; doctors discovered a torn teres major muscle in his right shoulder. We don't know if he'll suffer any long-term effects since only Tom Gordon has ever missed time with this muscle tear in the known history of baseball, but I'm not worried about Anderson since he returned in for a couple games in September with no difficulty. Of course he might struggle for a month or two until he regains his command and he's liable to be dealt as soon as Detroit finds a nice package deal, although I suspect he'd only move to a team that needed him as a closer. While I have no problems spending about $20 on Anderson, you also should be able to end bidding with a $19 as long as he's not one of the last closers on the board.

147.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Ryan Bukvich		1	0	6.12	1.80	20	19	26	25
KC Royals		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4
2002 Age: 24	5x5:	-3		-5

Please take a look at our Fantasy Review of Kansas City Prospects for comments on Bukvich.

148.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Kris Wilson		2	0	8.20	1.82	10	5	29	18.2
KC Royals		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4		-3
2002 Age: 26	5x5:	-3		-5		-2		R

Wilson enters Spring Training as the second-most experienced pitcher returning to the Royals even though he spend nearly all of 2002 in the minors, splitting the year between AA Wichita(TL) and AAA Omaha(PCL). He compiled a combined 2.30 ERA on a 50:5 K:BB in 74.1 IP with 85 H and 4 HR over 10 GS in 21 G. Of course he's always possessed excellent command, however between a G-F that's dropped from 1.41 to 1.23 and now .86 since he reached the majors and the downside of pitching in the best hitters' park in the AL, I understand how he allowed 7 homers in 18.2 IP last year. I like him better than most Royals' pitchers and he owns decent upside, but unfortunately his current homer tendency makes him far too risky to draft.

149.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Doug Creek		3	0	5.82	1.65	56	35	57	55.2
TB/SEA		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	-2		-4		0
2002 Age: 33	5x5:	-3		-5		1

I have no problem with Toronto signing Doug Creek in October, since unlike Jeff Tam, Creek contributes something besides a steady supply of groundballs to give the infield a good workout every other day in the 7th inning. He owns a 9.8 K/9 over the past three years, although he also suffers from questionable control and a troublesome G-F rate. The upside here is that Creek's only allowed a .643 OPS against left-handers over the last three years, so he gives the Blue Jays the veteran specialist they lost by trading Dan Plesac for future closer Cliff Politte. Unfortunately Creek's not worth owning given his perpetually weak WHIP and longball downside, but I'd rather roster him in 5x5 leagues thanks to his great strikeout rate than almost any other seemingly worthless specialist.

150.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Brad Voyles		0	1	6.51	1.77	26	18	31	27.2
KC Royals		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4
2002 Age: 25	5x5:	-2		-3

Please take a look at our Fantasy Review of Kansas City Prospects for comments on Voyles.

151.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Rich Garces		0	0	7.59	1.55	16	12	21	21.1
BOS Red Sox		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4		4		5
2002 Age: 31	5x5:	-2		-4		4		2

Over the last two years Garces' dominance decreased as his walk rate notably increased, and given this poor performance when he wasn't suffering from a strained right hamstring last season, I understand why the Red Sox DFA'd him. I also see why he refused his assignment since he'd complained before last Spring Training that Boston had reneged on a verbal agreement to extend his deal. Garces' reward for his antagonistic behavior, however justified, was a minor league deal with Colorado, so I only can assume Garces hopes to shed through exercise in the thin air of Colorado Springs and Denver. His past flyball tendency and horrendous 2002 qualitative stats should keep him off everyone's draft sheet, although I wouldn't be surprised if he winds up contributing on some potential playoff contender in the second half by following the Rick White Way.

152.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Mark Watson		1	0	18.00	3.00	1	4	8	4
SEA Mariners		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4
2002 Age: 28	5x5:	-3		-4

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

153.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Mike Trombley		0	0	15.75	2.75	3	1	10	4
MIN Twins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4		0
2002 Age: 35	5x5:	-3		-5		1

Both the Dodgers and Twins released him in 2002, and as he still hasn't found a home for this season, I suspect we won't see much more of Trombley in the majors. He's definitely not draftable given his poor performance last year and his lack of activity since last May, and I wouldn't even consider him as roster filler until he demonstrates solid skills for a few weeks.

154.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Mike Magnante		0	0	5.97	1.71	11	11	38	28.2
OAK Athletics		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	-2		-4		2
2002 Age: 37	5x5:	-3		-5		1

Magnante finished the season as the second most "valuable" of Oakland's Three Blind Mikes lefty reliever corps from the beginning of last season even though he performed rather atrociously, earning his release in August and finishing the season at AAA Las Vegas(PCL) for the Dodgers. Of course he hasn't displayed adequate skills since 1997, and with his dominance dwindling, I see why he still hasn't wrangled an NRI this spring. I doubt Magnante will manage PDV again, and he's too risky to employ even as roster filler given his 2002 skill set.

155.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Brandon Knight		0	0	11.42	1.85	7	5	11	8.2
NY Yankees		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:L	4x4:	-2		-4
2002 Age: 26	5x5:	-3		-5

Apparently Knight failed to impress New York with his 12 Saves and 3.90 ERA on an 81:37 K:BB in 80.2 IP with 67 H and 6 HR at AAA Columbus(IL), so hopefully he'll have more luck in Japan. The Yankees sold him to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in early January.

156.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Bob File		0	0	18.90	3.00	2	2	8	3.1
TOR Blue Jays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4		4		3
2002 Age: 25	5x5:	-3		-5		3		R

Toronto rushed File to the majors in 2001 without given him sufficient development time, so his 38:29 K:BB in 74.1 IP that year wasn't overly surprising. While he missed part of last season with injury troubles, he struggled to a 5.94 ERA on a 23:15 K:BB in 36.1 IP with 39 H and 2 HR over 33 G at AAA Syracuse(IL) when healthy. Unfortunately for File, the Blue Jays added some intriguing pitching depth this offseason, so he'll need to produce to both earn and keep a spot in the majors. I don't envision him even as viable roster filler unless he demonstrates impressive skills over a few appearances in the majors.

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

Today's Fantasy Rx: Our 2003 Sporting News Scouting Notebook arrived yesterday, and while TSN didn't include park factors in the Baseball Register, the Scouting Notebook contains all the relevant data for each stadium. The only downside is that there's no comprehensive chart, however it's still the best reference for 2002 and 2000-2002 park factors we've seen this offseason.