Today's Fantasy Rx

American League Relief Pitchers with DV from $2 to $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.

38.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Rafael Betancourt		2	1	2.13	1.05	36	13	27	38
CLE Indians		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	3		5
2003 Age: 28	5x5:	3		4

A mildly heralded relief prospect a few years ago, Betancourt never received a look in Boston despite strong stats at the lower levels of the minors. He spent 2000 pitching effectively in Japan, returned to Boston briefly in 2001, and then missed the next year with arm problems. Now he finally appears ready to contribute steadily in the majors thanks to a strong performance that built on his minor league success. In 2003 he compiled a 1.39 ERA and 16 Saves on a 75:13 K:BB in 5.1 IP over 31 G with 33 H and 0 HR at AA Akron(EL), and his continued dominance with the Indians gives him a great shot to break camp with the club this year. Unfortunately, despite his excellent command, a .37 G-F and a .881 OOPS allowed against left-handers rather limits his value. Cleveland probably doesn't prioritize carrying a righty specialist with obvious downside, so while I see no reason he can't echo these stats given his overall solid skills, he isn't worth drafting until he proves his 2003 numbers weren't a fluke.

50 Days to Choose Your Pitchers: '04 continues tomorrow with more American League relievers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: If Arthur Rhodes saves 30 games as expected, he obviously laps the field among today's pitchers as his roto value will push $20. Rhodes is the only pitcher here likely to close as most of these guys, especially the lefties, aren't useful as more than roster filler. Scott Schoeneweis and John Halama only look like good gambles as relievers, and R.A. Dickey remains quite unproven. Aside from Rhodes, the other pitchers worth a gamble of a few bucks are the Marlins' Chad Fox and the Angels' Derrick Turnbow. Both own fairly strong skills and could see save opportunities with a little luck.