Today's Fantasy Rx

National League Relief Pitchers with DV of $0 and $-1

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.

64.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Rick White		5	0	4.31	1.32	41	21	62	62.2
COL/STL		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		0		3
2002 Age: 33	5x5:	0		-1		3

Over the last few years White's demonstrated a noticeable platoon split, holding lefties to a .620 OPS but allowing a .787 mark from right-handers. Thanks to spending the first half of 2002 in Colorado, he struggled to a 6.30 ERA on an 18:15 K:BB in 30 IP at home, yet somehow mostly dominated on the road, managing a 2.48 ERA on a 23:6 K:BB in 32.2 IP. Now White joins the White Sox as their primary right-handed middle reliever, and while his 1.50 G-F reduces the downside of pitching in the best homer park in the AL, he doesn't possess enough dominance to guarantee helpful qualitative stats. Of course White finished every season of his career with an ERA between 3.50 and 4.75, so I also don't expect him to pitch too poorly. I can't envision drafting him at the moment, however there's nothing obviously wrong here that precludes you from using him as roster filler.

65.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Ricky Stone		3	1	3.61	1.45	63	34	78	77.1
HOU Astros		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		0		-4
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	1		0		-4

Stone's 78 appearances tied an NL rookie record, indicating our primary concern should be burnout, especially since his ERA rose from 1.99 in the first half to a 5.91 mark after the Break. However he arguably pitched better in the second half, compiling a 30:11 K:BB in 32 IP with 39 H and 5 HR after a 33:23 K:BB in 45.1 IP with 39 H and 4 HR performance prior to the All-Star game. He's a mildly risky pitcher when facing most teams due to his platoon split; Stone held right-handers to a .676 OPS while lefties pasted him for an .895 mark. Fortunately a 2.10 G-F eliminates some of his downside, but since he's never displayed great command, I wouldn't want to employ him as more than roster filler.

66.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
John Riedling		2	0	2.70	1.39	30	26	39	46.2
CIN Reds		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		0				2
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	0		-1				R

A fantastic albeit widely-known sleeper in 2001 drafts following an excellent 2000 campaign, Riedling avoided season-ending shoulder surgery for much of that year before undergoing an arthroscopic procedure in September. Though he recovered by last May and rehabbed for several weeks in the minors, he hasn't displayed the same skills he showed prior to his injury as a second half 22:22 K:BB in 32.2 IP negates the positives of a 3.03 ERA after the break. Riedling's 3.15 career G-F and mostly solid stats since moving to the bullpen hint at an impressive upside, but I can't recommend him at the moment given his questionable current skills and our belief that Williamson will remain entrenched at closer. Only look to Riedling as mid-season roster filler if his skills return to their 2000 levels of an 8.4 K/9 and no more than a 4.0 BB/9.

67.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Guilermo Mota		1	0	4.15	1.19	49	27	45	60.2
LA Dodgers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		0				1
2002 Age: 29	5x5:	0		-1				1

Los Angeles surprisingly only took about a dozen pitchers with significant impressive Major League histories to camp, so Mota only has to outperform NRIs like Calvin Maduro and Rodney Myers to win a job as the fourth right-handed in the bullpen. The pending return of Darren Dreifort could put Mota back on the Las Vegas shuttle, however I expect the Dodgers should keep him all season. Mota compiled a 38:8 K:BB in 36.2 IP with 34 H and 1 HR over 20 games at AAA Las Vegas(PCL) in 2002, and since he didn't overly struggle in the majors, he deserves a chance to prove he's conquered his control problems. Unfortunately he's not a good roto pick since we can't insure he'll provide much qualitative help and he's unlikely to grab many wins or saves due to the Dodgers' questionable offense and bullpen depth, so wait until he's holding decent skills before rostering him.

68.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Matt Herges		2	6	4.04	1.64	50	26	80	64.2
MON Expos		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:L	4x4:	0		0		1		9
2002 Age: 32	5x5:	0		-1		2		6

Pittsburgh's trade of two intriguing prospects for Herges ranks as one of the dumbest deals of the off-season considering they re-signed Brian Boehringer and added around a dozen solid AAAA guys, most of whom own much better skills than Herges. His somehow decent ERA obscures his poor season, and I see little upside here as his strikeout rate hasn't reached 7.0 K/9. Moving to Pittsburgh also places him in a worse overall environment despite the expectation of better defensive support, so I wouldn't risk rostering Herges for more than an occasional week or two barring his sudden development of decent command.

69.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Blaine Neal		3	0	2.73	1.39	33	14	32	33
FLO Marlins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:L	4x4:	0		-1				R
2002 Age: 24	5x5:	-1		-2				R

Unfortunately the acquisition of Tim Spooneybarger by the Marlins apparently drops Neal from closer-of-the-future to the competition for the last open middle relief spot on the roster. This shift baffles me as Neal managed a 2.90 ERA on a 26:15 K:BB in 31 IP with 2 H and 2 HR over 29 games at the hitters' paradise at AAA Calgary(PCL), and then he compiled a 9.0 K/9, 8.7 H/9, .3 HR/9, 1.08 G-F, and an acceptable 3.8 BB/9 over 32 games in the majors. Neal displayed no platoon split, holding all batters within 4 points of a .660 OPS, and he didn't allow an earned run in 14 September appearances while posting an 11:4 K:BB in 13.1 IP. I see a very bright future for Neal, and as he may own both the best current skills and upside of any Florida reliever, feel free to spend a few bucks on him even though he's a trade risk. He only needs to dominate for a few weeks to place himself back in Florida's future plans.

70.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Graeme Lloyd		4	5	5.21	1.51	37	19	67	57
MON/FLO		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	0		-1		-1		1
2002 Age: 35	5x5:	-1		-2		-1

I'm rather impressed by Lloyd's recovery after missing the 2000 season, and while he chafed at playing for another Jeff Loria team following his inclusion in the Cliff Floyd trade, he improved upon joining Florida. His 5.8 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 were both in line with his career marks and he's moving to an even better pitchers' park after signing with the Mets, who barely need him with Mike Stanton, Jaime Cerda, Mike Bacsik, and a recoving John Franco on the roster. Lloyd also doesn't offer much upside given his unimpressive dominance and his failure to keep either lefties or righties below a .760 OPS over the last two years. There's no reason not to use him as roster filler when you necessary, however his normally limited innings give him little chance of finishing with a 2003 value outside the $-2-to-$2 range.

71.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Mike Lincoln		2	0	3.11	1.48	50	27	80	72.1
PIT Pirates		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		-1		-2
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	0		-1		-2

Lincoln experienced one of the more unjust demotions of the year when Pittsburgh needed a roster space for Josias Manzanillo and only Lincoln owned an existing option, yet in 10 games at AAA Nashville(PCL), he posted a 1.23 ERA on a 15:2 K:BB in 14.2 IP with 14 H and 0 HR. Unfortunately the return of Brian Boehringer and addition of Matt Herges leave Lincoln in competition with Al Reyes, Duaner Sanchez, Joe Beimel, and about a dozen NRIs for no more than three roster spots. I'm concerned that Lincoln's command noticeably slipped in the second half, and as he's not an overly dominant hurler, a career-best 1.82 G-F only limits his downside, especially when playing his home game in the fourth best hitters' park in the league. While I don't believe Lincoln will hurt your team as roster filler, his uncertain situation makes him a poor draft choice.

72.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Gene Stechschulte		6	0	4.78	1.38	21	17	27	32
STL Cardinals		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		-1		-1		1
2002 Age: 29	5x5:	-1		-3		-1

One of the more remarkably inconsistent pitchers in the game, other than his 4.22 ERA this April, Stechschulte's posted an ERA either below 3.00 or above 6.00 in the roughly dozen other months in which he spent time in the majors. Though his minor league numbers suggest some upside in short relief, I don't like his immediate future as he's never exceeded a 6.6 K/9 nor a 1.7 BB/9 in his three seasons with the Cardinals. Without any indication he'll begin dominating opponents or an expectation he can pitch decently for more than a few weeks at a time, Stechschulte's one of the riskiest players to own in the game. Don't even consider him as roster filler in the foreseeable future.

73.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Juan Cruz		3	1	3.98	1.47	81	59	84	97.1
CH Cubs		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	0		-1		10		6
2002 Age: 23	5x5:	0		0		11		9

Considering Cruz skipped AAA and reached the majors with a 4.9 BB/9 in the 251.2 innings he pitched during two years of full-season ball, his 2002 performance must be viewed as an impressive success. His only problem is his control, as he registered a 31:31 K:BB in 45.2 IP with 44 H and 2 HR over 9 starts and then compiled a 50:28 K:BB in 51.2 IP with 40 H and 9 HR over 46 games in relief. Yet he also managed a 2.32 ERA on a 31:14 K:BB in 31 IP with 22 H and 3 HR over 23 games in the second half despite missing a couple weeks with arm fatigue. Assuming his arm is healthy, Cruz could quickly develop into one of the best relievers in baseball, earn at least a few bucks if given another shot in the rotation, or even emerge like Eric Gagne as a closer. We firmly believe the Cubs realize Cruz's potential and won't trade him for anything less than a long-term solution at catcher, shortstop, or third base, and given the scarcity of elite prospects ready for the majors at those positions, Cruz should be a Cub for a long time. Bidding more than a couple bucks on him is a gamble at the moment, however his double-digit upside leaves little reason not to go to several dollars in most leagues.

74.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jesse Orosco		1	1	3.00	1.33	22	12	24	27
LA Dodgers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:R	4x4:	-1		-1
2002 Age: 45	5x5:	-1		-3

After holding opponents to a .693 OPS in 2002, I see no reason he can't continue pitching as long as he remains healthy. You even could briefly use him as roster filler when the Padres play in California since the pitchers' parks in the state limit his downside, although I doubt he'll reach PDV again. Of course Orosco also turns 46 in April. John Irwin Kennedy joined the Phillies the day after Orosco was born, making them the last NL team to integrate. Jake Kerouac released On the Road that year, Leave it to the Beaver premiered, gas cost 31 cent a gallon, stamps cost three cents, the minimum wage was one dollar, and the Dow closed at 488. Orosco qualifies as an antique relief pitcher, and he merits both the benefits and risks of the definition.

75.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jim Brower		3	0	4.37	1.36	57	32	77	80.1
CIN/MON		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-1		-1		-1
2002 Age: 29	5x5:	0		-1		-1

Apparently Brower will enter the season as the most experienced pitcher in Montreal's pen although he barely possesses the command necessary to remain in the majors on most teams. He's not a dominant pitcher, and while he managed a career-best 1.86 G-F in 2002, he normally allows a good number of homers. The only indication of his upside last year was a 30:12 K:BB in 35 IP he compiled right around his trade to the Expos, however his unimpressive control over the rest of the season suggests he possesses little upside for 2003. Although he's not the worst pitcher I'd be willing to roster for a short span, Brower is not someone you want to target.

76.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Gary Knotts		3	0	4.40	1.21	21	16	21	30.2
FLO Marlins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-1		-1		0
2002 Age: 25	5x5:	-1		-3		0

Following his inclusion in the Redman trade, Knotts enters Spring Training as one of the favorites for the open rotation spots in Detroit. Unfortunately he hasn't displayed much command since reaching AA in 1999, and as he also didn't even dominate AAA batters while spending last season in the bullpen, the odds of him succeeding in the majors seem quite low. Don't even waste a low Ultra pick here, and only roster him during the season if he's holding decent across-the-board skills.

77.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Tom Gordon		1	0	3.38	1.36	48	16	42	42.2
CHC/HOU		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-1		-2				15
2002 Age: 34	5x5:	-1		-2				2

Gordon is simply one of the most dominant relievers in the game, and since he finally appears healthy, I can't believe Tampa, Kansas City, and Montreal all didn't compete for his services for a million or two plus save incentives. The White Sox move to grab him ranks with their pick-ups of Colon and Daubach among the biggest steals of the off-season, though they'd look much better if they let Gordon close and kept Foulke for multiple-inning set-up outings. While anyone pitching half their games in Comiskey concerns me to some extent, Gordon's success in Houston shows he'll remain effective in nearly any stadium. He's worth an easy investment of a few bucks, especially since Oakland worked Koch hard last year, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Gordon spend some time at closer.

78.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Al Reyes		0	0	2.65	0.94	21	7	9	17
PIT Pirates		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-1		-2
2002 Age: 31	5x5:	-2		-3

While Reyes hasn't remained consistently effective at the Major League level, he's compiled several seasons of solid success at AAA. In 2002 he posted a 2.70 ERA on a 90:22 K:BB in 66.2 IP with 40 H and 5 HR at AAA Nashville(PCL), and his 11.1 K/9 and 3.00 K:BB after a late-season promotion demonstrate his intriguing upside. If Pittsburgh trades Mike Williams, Reyes should compete with Duaner Sanchez for save opportunities. Now the competition in Pirates' camp doesn't even insure Reyes will remain with the team, but if your league drafts near Opening Day, feel free to gamble a couple bucks here as long as he looks likely to break camp in the majors.

79.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Gabe Molina		1	0	1.59	1.06	4	6	6	11.1
STL Cardinals		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-1		-2
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	-2		-4

Molina owns a career 27:32 K:BB in 49.1 IP, so while his 2.15 ERA on a 54:24 K:BB in 71 IP with 59 H and 7 HR at AAA Memphis(PCL) last season indicates some upside, there's no reason for us to expect he'll succeed in 2003. Though the Cardinals' great defense certainly will help him, Molina also displays little dominance and a pronounced flyball tendency. He could earn a buck or two, but since he isn't even likely to break camp with the majors, I wouldn't even risk him as roster filler unless he finally maintains his AAA command for a few weeks in the majors.

80.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Eric Junge		2	0	1.42	1.50	11	5	14	12.2
PHI Phillies		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-1		-2
2002 Age: 25	5x5:	-2		-4

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

81.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jason Middlebrook		2	0	4.73	1.29	42	22	44	51.1
SD/NYM		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-1		-2
2002 Age: 27	5x5:	-2		-3

Middlebrook's upside merits investing a buck or two in many leagues since he looks prepared to succeed in New York even if left in a long relief and spot starter's role. Between AAA Portland(PCL) and AAA Norfolk(IL) Middlebrook compiled a combined 4.48 ERA on a 54:14 K:BB in 60.1 IP with 55 H and 7 HR over 12 GS in 15 appearances, and his solid command when in the majors suggests promising immediate upside. Both his career 6.6 K/9 and 1.35 G-F indicate he'd remain effective regardless of his role, and I believe he'll win the Mets' 5th starter's job this spring. Unfortunately he won't start more than a dozen games due to open dates in their schedule and the pending arrival of Aaron Heilman, however he still seems worth an investment of several dollars.

82.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Carlos Almanzar		0	0	2.31	0.94	7	5	6	11.2
CIN Reds		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-1		-3
2002 Age: 28	5x5:	-3		-4

Almanzar's consistently demonstrated both dominance and control at every level, however he's pitched for four different organizations over the past six years thanks to a growing flyball tendency that results in irritating homer totals. Of course he's experienced little difficulty in the minors during this time, and in 2002 he posted a 2.74 ERA and 11 Saves on a 19:5 K:BB in 23 IP with 21 H and 0 HR over 21 G at AAA Louisville(IL). Unfortunately he didn't even merit an NRI this spring after missing the second half of last year due to a fractured right index finger and surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow, so even if he reaches the majors this year don't roster him until he appears relatively established in someone's pen.

83.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Chris Nichting		1	0	4.46	1.24	25	5	40	36.1
COL Rockies		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-1		-3
2002 Age: 36	5x5:	-2		-4

Nichting isn't even in camp this season despite impressive command last year. Unfortunately his skills significantly slipped over the course of last season as his 1.08 April ERA rose to a 4.46 before his demotion, and then he posted a 10.19 ERA on a 23:22 K:BB in 32.2 IP over 23 G at AAA Colorado Springs(PCL). Anyone who owns a 72:18 K:BB in 87.2 IP with 108 H and 15 HR merits another look in the majors, especially when he spent most of his career in Colorado, but you shouldn't risk rostering Nichting until he proves he's past last year's difficulties.

84.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Kevin Beirne		2	0	3.41	1.48	17	17	26	29
LA Dodgers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:L	4x4:	-1		-3
2002 Age: 28	5x5:	-2		-4

He earned his way back to the majors with a 4.15 ERA on an 88:41 K:BB in 125.2 IP with 129 H and 12 HR over 22 G at AAA Las Vegas(PCL) last year. Unfortunately his unimpressive dominance only gave him value as an emergency starter for the Dodgers, so LA solid Beirne to Osaka in early December. I doubt he'll make a positive contribution to any fantasy teams in the near future.

85.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jaime Cerda		0	0	2.45	1.40	21	14	22	25.2
NY Mets		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	-1		-3
2002 Age: 23	5x5:	-2		-4

We've liked Cerda for a couple years as one of the more impressive lefty relief prospects in the minor, and while he looks a little rushed, he has little to prove in the minors. In 14 appearances for AA Binghamton(EL) last season, he compiled a 2.27 ERA n a 33:1 K:BB in 31.2 IP with 21 H and 0 HR, and upon his promotion to AAA Norfolk(IL), he posted a .43 ERA on a 17:7 K:BB in 21 IP with 1 0IP and 0 HR over 12 games. While he maintained his dominance in the majors, he'll likely need another year of seasoning to overcome his control issues. Fortunately the Mets don't need him this season after signing Mike Stanton and Graeme Lloyd to join John Franco and Mike Bacsik, so though Cerda wouldn't hurt as roster filler, I don't expect to see much of him before September.

86.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Todd Jones		1	1	4.70	1.36	73	28	84	82.1
COL Rockies		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:S	4x4:	-1		-3		-1		6
2002 Age: 34	5x5:	-1		-2		-1		1

While we liked Jones at the end of last season due to his potential to emerge as a closer, however Jose Jimenez is a better fit in Colorado thanks to his more extreme groundball tendency, so Jones looks likely to depart the Rockies when they find a trade partner. The good news is that he retains the skills necessary to succeed as a closer, so not only do I like Jones at a few bucks in middle relief, but I'd bid into the teens for him as Colorado's closer. Exercise some reluctance in bidding if he stays in Coors, however feel free to invest a few dollars here if he finds a more favorable stadium.

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

Today's Fantasy Rx: Today's collection of pitchers includes the best batch of potential closers aside from the first two days of NL relievers. Blaine Neal, Juan Cruz, Tom Gordon, and Todd Jones each could earn $20+ if given the necessary save opportunities, and guys like Riedling, Mota, Reyes, Molina, and Junge own the skills to succeed in short relief roles. However if you're trolling for sleeper saves at reasonable rates, Neal, Cruz, Gordon, and Jones should rank high on your list of players likely available for under $5 in most leagues.