Today's Fantasy Rx

American League Starting Pitchers with DV below $-3

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.
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.

94.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Dan Wright		1	1	6.15	1.59	47	46	91	86.1
CH White Sox		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-4		-7		8		6
2003 Age: 25	5x5:	-3		-6		10		6

His failure to build on an impressive second-half performance in 2002 leaves him competing with a few other youngsters for Chicago's fifth starter's job at best, and any new player addition by the White Sox could push Wright to the minors or bullpen indefinitely. Of course, Wright also compiled a 25:10 K:BB in 33 IP with 25 H and 5 HR during a six-week demotion to AAA Charlotte(IL), indicating he still owns decent skills, and worrying prior to the September birth of his first son might have led to mental struggles on the mound, as well as severe problems in road starts. His spring injury problems and dispute with the team over his health likely also didn't help the situation. Yet while we still envision a bright future as a starter for Wright, his nearly complete skill breakdown makes him a bad pick during spring auctions, particularly since Jon Rauch merits another shot at the rotation and could secure a starting spot for a long time. Only consider him in a reserve round or Dollar Days unless he shocks everyone during spring training and wins the fourth starter's job.

50 Days to Choose Your Pitchers: '04 continues tomorrow with National League starters.

Today's Fantasy Rx: As always, we expect strong rebounds from a few of the worst roto pitchers in 2003. Dewon Brazelton's great fall increases his immediate upside, Chan Ho Park still owns decent skills if he stays healthy, and Jeff Weaver should enjoy a renaissance in Los Angeles. The Dodgers' great defense and solid bullpen makes him an especially intriguing option since only his hit rate appeared truly atrocious last season.