Today's Fantasy Rx

On the Eighth Day of Outfielders, my true love gave to me:
Single-digit NL PDV,
Double-digit NL PDV,
AL West "Prospects",
AL Central "Prospects";
AL East "Prospects",
American Leaguers without PDV,
Single-digit AL PDV,
and American Leaguers with Double-digit PDV.

National League Outfielders with Single-digit Positive Draft Value

Quick Key to the tables:
AB = At-bats.  H = Hits.  BA = Batting Average.  HR= Home Runs.
RBI = Runs Batted In.  SB = Stolen Bases.  R = Runs.  B = Bats.  T = Throws.
Pos = Position qualification based on 20 appearances or max. # of games in 2003.
2003 Age = Player's Age as of October 1, 2003.
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 70/30 hitting/pitching split).
AV = Actual Value (The price a player earned under a 50/50 hitting/pitching split).
Rotohelp = 2003 Rotohelp Predicted Draft Value.
LABR/Tout = 2003 Expert League prices; LABR for 4x4. Tout Wars for 5x5.

Average league worst BA, ERA, and WHIP 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.

41.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R	Pos
Austin Kearns		292	77	.264	15	58	5	39	O
CIN Reds		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	9		7		24		21
2003 Age: 23	5x5:	9		6		24		26

Moving from Cinergy to the GAB allowed Kearns to maintain nearly identical power numbers to 2002 despite 80 fewer at-bats a troubling jump from a 1.37 G-F to a 1.77 mark. Yet he remains quite patient and his somewhat weak contact rate won't prevent a breakout season. A bum rotator cuff contributed to his slump prior to Kearns' season-ending shoulder surgery, however he already appears relatively healthy and should be fine for spring training. A .300/30/120 season isn't unreasonable if he bats between Griffey and Dunn as I expect, so feel free to push the bidding on Kearns since he at least should make a significant quantitative contribution to your team.

The Twelve Days of Outfielders 2003 continue tomorrow.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Once again, targeting speedsters for your fifth and possibly even your fourth outfield slots during Dollar Days and reserve rounds can pay huge benefits. Tom Goodwin, Brady Clark, and Tike Redman cost almost nothing in most drafts, yet all three players earned double-digit value. Most of the players listed above either qualify as benchwarmers or underachievers, so unless you draft five starting outfielders, nab at least one non-starting burner; Goodwin again should be available for a pittance while filling the same role for another year.