Today's Fantasy Rx

American League Relief Pitchers with $-2 DV

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.

108.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Brandon Backe		1	0	5.44	1.46	36	25	40	44.2
TB Devil Rays		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4
2003 Age: 25	5x5:	-1		-3

Tampa's improving defense almost made Backe intriguing despite questionable control and a .85 G-F. His 27:13 K:BB in 33 IP with 33 H and 1 HR at AAA Durham(IL) last year also suggests some roto potential, as does his effectiveness against most right-handed hitters. Unfortunately, Backe lacks the dominance, consistency, and upper-level success necessary for us to recommend investing in him at this time. Houston's decision to claim Backe off waivers also reduces his chance of seeing much time in the majors thanks to their right-handed relief depth, and their weaker defense and hitter-friendly home park likely will leave him unworthy of a roto roster spot.

109.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Tony Fiore		1	0	5.50	1.47	23	21	32	36
MIN Twins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4		2		1
2003 Age: 31	5x5:	-2		-4		1

Ten vultured wins formed the foundation of Fiore's impressive roto 2002 roto value. As his skills stayed fairly poor last year, he unsurprisingly slipped from favor with the Twins, spending the entire second half in the minors. Fiore returned to the rotation at AAA Rochester(IL), starting in 11 of his 16 appearances and compiling a 3.95 ERA on a 48:21 K:BB in 84.1 IP with 80 H and 5 HR. That performance earned him a contract with the Astros, however a pitcher with a .90 career G-F and questionable control isn't a great fit in Minute Maid. Unless his command immediately improves upon his NL debut, Fiore won't help your roto team.

110.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jeremy Fikac		0	0	4.50	1.56	9	11	14	16
OAK Athletics		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4		3
2003 Age: 28	5x5:	-2		-4		2

Although Fikac could emerge as a vital contributor in the Expos' pen this year, avoid him like any Montreal pitcher for the first few months of the season when the team plays roughly half their home games in Puerto Rico, home of the majors' worst pitchers' park. While he pitched very effectively at AAA Sacramento(PCL), compiling a 2.25 ERA on a 50:13 K:BB in 56 IP over 42 G with 0 H and 4 HR, he hasn't demonstrated consistent control in the majors in either of the last two seasons. Fikac's long-term future remains reasonably bright and he should enjoy a few seasons as a quality middle reliever, but I don't see him belonging on roto teams until the second half of 2004 at the earliest.

111.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Buddy Groom		1	1	5.36	1.59	34	14	58	45.1
BAL Orioles		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	-2		-4		3		4
2003 Age: 38	5x5:	-1		-3		2		2

Wedsel Gary Groom maintained relatively decent skills despite his apparent erosion of talent. Unfortunately, the combination of a bump in his walk rate from 1.7 to 2.8 BB/9, a jump in his homer rate from .6 to 1.4 HR/9, and a giant leap in his hit rate from 6.4 to 11.5 H/9 forced over a threefold increase in Groom's ERA. A fairly strong second half suggests his numbers should settle this year, particularly with the improvements in the Orioles' defense, but Groom no longer appears a good choice as roster filler despite his relative usefulness as a lefty specialist.

125.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Brad Thomas		0	0	7.71	1.93	2	3	6	4.2
MIN Twins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	-2		-4		-2
2003 Age: 25	5x5:	-2		-5		-3

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: Minnesota for my comments on Thomas.

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

Today's Fantasy Rx: The three pitchers listed above with the most potential to earn PDV this year are Greg Jones, Franklyn German, and Brad Thomas. Of course, German must rediscover his command and secure a short relief role before you give him much consideration, and Thomas similarly must prove his minor league success wasn't a fluke upon receiving another shot in Minnesota. Jones' problem is that Anaheim already appears committed to keeping Percival, KRod, Donnelly, Weber, and Shields in their bullpen, leaving no more than two spots for Jones, a left-hander, and the losers of the fifth starter's competition between John Lackey, Aaron Sele, Chris Bootcheck, and Kevin Gregg. Even if Jones earns a spot, you also should double check to make sure he displays good command at the beginning of the season before considering him as roster filler.