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.

126.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Mike Nakamura		0	1	7.82	1.74	14	2	20	12.2
MIN Twins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4		-2
2003 Age: 27	5x5:	-2		-5		-3

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

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

Today's Fantasy Rx: While most of today's pitchers possess significant long-term upside, the only ones likely to contribute to successful roto teams this year are Nakamura and Harville. Even these youngsters will need to impress their respective clubs throughout the spring to earn bullpen spots, so although they could steal a few save opportunities and Nakamura in particularly owns the skills necessary to close, they look like roster filler to me at the moment.