Today's Fantasy Rx

National League Relief Pitchers with $1 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.

54.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Terry Adams		1	0	2.65	1.34	51	23	68	68
PHI Phillies		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	1		2		2		1
2003 Age: 30	5x5:	2		2		1		1

A bone spur, five bone chips, and a strained oblique combined their destructive powers to end Adams' season in early September. He should be fine by the time he joins the Blue Jays for spring training, and if Toronto decides they don't mind Justin Speier's abundance of flyballs in middle relief, Adams is a solid second candidate to close. I almost can't believe that he only turns 31 this year considering Adams has seemed like a closer-of-the-future since the Reagan era, however as he still owns the requisite skills, he should succeed as a short reliever in the American League. While no longer particularly dominant, he exhibits no overt platoon split, never posted a ground-fly ratio below 2.29, and demonstrates consistent command. Even if he opens the year in a set-up role, Adams looks like a good selection for anyone looking for potential saves.

55.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Salomon Torres		7	2	4.76	1.40	84	42	128	121
PIT Pirates		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	1		2		-2		R
2003 Age: 31	5x5:	2		3		-1		1

Few failed prospects ever capitalize on a probable last chance at a big league career like Torres, who pitched impressively in the minors during 2002 before starting five games that September with promising results. He spent almost all of this season with the Pirates, who kept forcing him into the rotation despite the presence of superior options. They apparently prefer Torres starting even though he remained a quality reliever, posting a 3.20 ERA on a 26:11 K:BB in 39.1 IP with 36 H and HR over 25 games out of the bullpen. Those numbers ranks him with any reliever in Pirates' camp, yet I don't expect him to receive serious consideration to close. I see little reason not to consider Torres for your team if he opens the year in middle relief. His skills suggest little downside in that role, but make sure to remove him from your active roster if Pittsburgh stupidly begins starting him again.

56.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Will Cunnane		2	3	2.70	1.00	20	6	14	20
ATL Braves		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	1		2
2003 Age: 29	5x5:	1		0

Whichever Cubs' official approved the releases of Rod Beck and Will Cunnane should switch industries as their minor league performances directly predicted their respective major league success. While I know Cunnane's pitching hand lost a battle with a wall following a poor outing, no team can afford to release skilled relievers making low salaries. Cunnane compiled a 2.20 ERA on a 16:8 K:BB in 16.1 IP over 12 G for AAA Iowa(PCL), and after joining Atlanta, posted a 0.00 ERA on a 19:2 K:BB in 21 IP with 11 H over 15 G for AAA Richmond(IL). Those performances, along with his bullpen-settling influence towards the end of the season, should make Cunnane Atlanta's primary set-up man this year. A dropping ground-fly rate indicates his homer rate will rise, but I see little to dislike here and certainly recommend him as a solid relief pitcher for a couple bucks in late rounds. Definitely target him if you own Smoltz.

57.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Dan Plesac		2	2	2.70	1.20	37	11	29	33.1
PHI Phillies		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	1		1		1
2003 Age: 41	5x5:	1		1		0

Plesac retired this winter after 18 seasons and 1,064 games pitched, fourth on the all-time list after Jesse Orosco, Dennis Eckersley, and Hoyt Wilhelm. He finished last season with solid across-the-board skills, an impressive accomplishment considering he dominated both lefties and right-handers. While certainly not a Hall of Famer, Plesac finished his career with an 8.740 K/9, which ranks him eighth on a top-10 list that includes five pitchers either in or certain selections for the Hall, not to mention Hideo Nomo, Sudden Sam McDowell, Curt Schilling, and Lee Smith. If he unexpectedly returns, he could contribute to fantasy teams as roster filler, but I don't expect to see Plesac pitch again.

58.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Ray King		3	0	3.51	1.24	43	27	46	59
ATL Braves		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	1		1		2		R
2003 Age: 29	5x5:	1		1		2		R

A rising walk rate reduced King's value, but he remained relatively effective thanks to a minimal platoon split, 1.94 G-F, and good defensive support. While shifting to St. Louis probably increases his value thanks to a slightly stronger overall defense and better pitchers' park, he still won't possess much value in a role likely limited by Tony LaRussa. Consider King as no more than roster filler as long as he pitches for the Cardinals.

59.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Kent Mercker		0	1	1.95	1.41	48	32	46	55.1
CIN/ATL		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	1		1		-5
2003 Age: 35	5x5:	1		1		-5

While Mercker didn't post a notable platoon split, at least he doesn't pitch more effectively against right-handers like Mike Remlinger; Dusty Baker should enjoy a lefty in his pen used to a specialist role. Now, Mercker's poor walk rate is a definite sign of trouble, but his overall success and generally solid skills mute his downside. He won't contribute enough quantitatively to warrant a regular roster spot, however you should be able to employ him as roster filler as necessary.

60.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Joey Eischen		2	1	3.06	1.32	40	13	57	53
MON Expos		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	1		1		4		3
2003 Age: 33	5x5:	1		1		3		R

The trade of Scott Stewart leaves Eischen as Montreal's veteran lefty, but budgetary problems could force another bullpen shakeup during spring training. While Eischen's value should increase if he finds a team with a solid defense and pitcher-friendly home park, the drop from 3.64 to 1.73 G-F, a decrease of more than 50%, indicates worrisome downside. His overall performance, especially his 3.1 K:BB, still makes Eischen a good late-round pick in NL leagues, however I see no reason to target him specifically.

61.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Tim Spooneybarger		1	0	4.07	.90	32	11	27	42
FLO Marlins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	1		1		4		5
2003 Age: 23	5x5:	1		0		4		5

Ignore his unimpressive ERA, his dispute with the team over the seriousness of his injury, and the delay of his Tommy John surgery to September. Spooneybarger simply dominated opponents when healthy at the beginning of the season, compiling a 5.8 H/9, 3.75 G-F, .2 HR/9, and an outstanding .499 OOPS. Given his age and the Marlins' relatively weak bullpen, he should emerge as their long-term closer by the end of 2005. Don't expect him to contribute before September, but drafting him near the end of your draft for a couple of bucks, particularly in leagues with standard keeper rules, could pay extreme long-term dividends.

62.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Mike Lincoln		3	5	5.20	1.40	28	13	38	36.1
PIT Pirates		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	1		0		-2
2003 Age: 28	5x5:	0		0		-2

Slipping on a golf ball from an adjacent golf course to Pirate City during spring training a year ago caused a right shoulder contusion for Lincoln and necessitated a 60-day DL trip. He finally rejoined the team in June, served briefly as the closer, fell to the back of the bullpen, and then rebounded to post solid stats in September. Lincoln managed career-best marks of a 6.9 K/9 and 1.97 G-F, which suggest he should continue improving in 2003. Signing with the Cardinals places him a significantly better situation, and while I don't expect great quantitative numbers from him, spending a buck or two for Lincoln isn't a bad idea.

63.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Dan Wheeler		1	2	3.71	1.29	35	17	49	51
NY Mets		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	1		0
2003 Age: 25	5x5:	1		0

Wheeler compiled a 44:16 K:BB in 45.2 IP with 8 H and HR over 22 appearances at AAA Norfolk(IL) before his June promotion, and now he enters spring training as the Mets' primary middle reliever, slotted behind only Looper and Weathers in the bullpen. His solid across-the-board skills make him one of the safest bets of any middle reliever, especially when we consider the severe improvement in the Mets' defense. My only concern here is that the Mets have several promising young relievers in camp, but I also see no reason they shouldn't guarantee Wheeler a job. If looking for a very low-risk pitcher with moderate upside towards the end of a draft, Wheeler should rank near the top of your list.

64.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Tom Martin		1	0	3.53	1.18	51	24	36	51
LA Dodgers		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	1		0		-3
2003 Age: 33	5x5:	1		0		-3

Invited to camp at the suggestion of long-time friend Paul Shuey, Martin won a spot on the team and then pitched so well that the Dodgers gave him the first multi-year deal of his career after the season. Although his walk and homer rates deteriorated in the second half, his overall success in Los Angeles makes him one of the more intriguing lefties in the game, particularly for sim owners. Nearly all his skills indicate continued success, so while I wouldn't target him this spring in any save the deepest of leagues due to his very limited quantitative potential, he'll be among the first pitchers we consider when looking for in-season help.

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

Today's Fantasy Rx: Today's pitchers mostly look like solid roster filler, however only Terry Adams appears relatively likely to approach double-digit value, and he'll need to emerge as Toronto's closer to reach that level. While I see no problem rostering anyone here, don't expect more than a couple bucks of profit on a Dollar Days' bid.