Today's Fantasy Rx

Arizona: Elmer Dessens, RH Starter
4-4 on a 50:31 K:BB in 83.2 IP over 15 GS
with 105 H, 14 HR, and a 133-93 G-F; 5.38 ERA.

The Diamondbacks expected a far better return for Durazo, and we though that Dessens at least would post acceptable qualitative marks while approaching a dozen wins. However all his skills seem a little low right now, and Arizona also isn't giving any of their starters much run support. While Dessens' biggest problem is that his walk rate is up almost a batter per game from last season, his hit rate has grown by an even larger margin. Even a steady 1.43 G-F and an increased strikeout rate can't compensate for allowing so many more runners to reach base, especially when he's pitching in a poor pitchers' park. Only wait for a rebound if you're desperate for any potential wins and can afford more damage to your ERA and WHIP.

May Underachiever: Byung-Hyun Kim, RH Starter
Old stats: 1-5 on a 27:12 K:BB in 36 IP over 6 GS
with 29 H, 6 HR, and a 53-29 G-F; 4.00 ERA.
Recommendation: acquire.
Stats since recommendation: 1-0 on an 18:6 K:BB in 28 IP over 4 GS(6G)
with 31 H, 3 HR, and a 4.50 ERA.

Previous underachievers: April: Mike Myers.

Internet Challenge

SP(6)
Pedro Martinez: Sat:@PHI(B.Duckworth)
Matt Morris: Fri:KC(J.Lima)
Mike Mussina: Sat:@NYM(T.Glavine)
Kevin Brown: Sun:ANA(K.Appier)
Roy Halladay: Sun:@MON(L.Hernandez)

No starts: Randy, Schilling, Oswalt, Millwood, Wood, Schmidt, Prior, and Ainsworth.

The Cardinals' rotation shift gives us one extra start, and we'll add Ainsworth to these five to give us the most cap room on offense.

Vlad and Hernandez obviously stay seated, and we can't find a lineup slot for Everett. As we're slightly over the cap with our preferred offense, we'll deploy Durazo over Orlando Cabrera.

The Umpire Hunter(11th lg; 270th overall)
Week 12b: June 20-June 22

C	Jorge Posada		1120
C	Toby Hall		460
1B	Todd Helton		1850
1B	Aubrey Huff		610
2B	Alfonso Soriano		1460
2B	Luis Castillo		1210
3B	Aaron Boone		1010
3B	Hank Blalock		500
SS	Alex Rodriguez		2010
SS	Nomar Garciaparra	1330
OF	Lance Berkman		1640
OF	Manny Ramirez		1610
OF	Preston Wilson		1220
OF	Hideki Matsui		750
OF	Austin Kearns		650
OF	Dave Roberts		620 
DH	Aramis Ramirez		820
DH	Erubiel Durazo		520

SP	Pedro Martinez		1700
SP	Matt Morris		1300
SP	Mike Mussina		1210
SP	Kevin Brown		990
SP	Roy Halladay		890
SP	Kurt Ainsworth		430
RP	Eric Gagne		1430
RP	Scott Williamson	960
RP	Mike MacDougal		750
RP	Tim Worrell		740

Total Salary for Week 12b: 	29790

Today's Fantasy Rx: While the presence of Los Angeles and Atlanta atop NL clubs defensively should surprise no one, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are tied for third, only slightly ahead of St. Louis, San Francisco, Montreal, Chicago, and Arizona. Frankly the only teams on which you shouldn't target middle relievers with low walk rate for WHIP help are Colorado, Florida, and Milwaukee, however Pirates and Phillies, specifically guys like Beimel and Cormier, look like nicely inexpensive pick-ups.