Today's Fantasy Rx

National League Relief Pitchers below $-5 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.

196.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Joey Hamilton		0	0	12.66	2.44	7	5	21	10.2
CIN Reds		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-6		-11				R
2003 Age: 33	5x5:	-5		-10

I still believe the Cardinals erred by cutting Hamilton in spring training. While he pitched miserably for the Reds in three long relief outings, he compiled a 3.23 ERA on a 45:18 K:BB in 86.1 IP over 8 GS(33G) with 103 H and 5 HR at AAA Louisville(IL). Returning to San Diego this winter doesn't improve his chances of returning to the majors since the Padres added considerable bullpen depth this winter, however he might surprise if limited to short relief work. Unfortunately, neither Hamilton nor his employers seem to realize he no longer appears to possess the skills necessary to succeed as a starter, so until you observe Hamilton regain his effectiveness following an apparently permanent role change, don't consider him for your team.

197.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jason Young		0	0	8.44	2.02	18	9	34	21.1
COL Rockies		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-6		-11		-4
2003 Age: 24	5x5:	-5		-10		-2

Please refer to our Post-2003 Prospect Review: Colorado for my comments on Young.

198.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Kevin Olsen		0	0	12.75	2.42	12	4	25	12
FLO Marlins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-6		-12		-2
2003 Age: 27	5x5:	-6		-11		-2

A Todd Walker drive to the head in late June sent Olsen to the disabled list for over two months. While he returned in September, a couple of terrible outings cost him his 40-man spot. Now, even though his minor league skills still indicate some long-term upside, Olsen appears unlikely to see much action this year. Since we also don't know how he'll perform, he isn't someone worth drafting in any league.

199.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Mike Bynum		1	0	8.75	1.64	35	15	44	36
SD Padres		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:L    B:L	4x4:	-6		-12		-3
2003 Age: 25	5x5:	-5		-10		-2		R

While Bynum struggled as a starter, he allowed more than a homer every two innings in relief despite a solid overall 1.42 G-F. Spending most of the year at AAA Portland(PCL), he compiled a 7-12 record and a 4.81 ERA on a 106:60 K:BB in 125.1 IP with 130 H and 11 HR over 23 GS(24G). Unfortunately, Bynum simply hasn't demonstrated good command since leaving A-ball, so San Diego simply must convert him to relief at this point. They successfully slipped him through waivers in Janurary, leaving him little chance to break camp in the majors, yet Bynum's decent dominance still suggests promising long-term upside. Don't draft him this spring, though keep an eye on his minor league effectiveness since he could emerge as a decent reliever at any time.

200.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Blaine Neal		0	0	8.14	2.24	10	9	38	21
FLO Marlins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:L	4x4:	-6		-12		2		1
2003 Age: 25	5x5:	-6		-11		2		R

The departures of Braden Looper and Ugueth Urbina should give Neal the opportunity he merits in the majors. At AAA Albuquerque(PCL) last summer, he posted 21 Saves on a 2.33 ERA on a 32:16 K:BB in 46.1 IP with 55 H and 1 HR over 40 games. While Neal's falling ground-fly ratio and rising hit rate both worry me, he certainly possesses the skills necessary to develop into an impressive short reliever. I don't believe anyone should target Neal this spring, however if he owns solid skills after a couple weeks, feel free to employ him whenever you need roster filler, especially since he looks like Florida's best long-term option at closer.

201.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Vladimir Nunez		0	0	16.03	2.63	10	7	21	10.2
FLO Marlins		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-6		-12		5		6
2003 Age: 28	5x5:	-6		-12		5		5

A career-worst .81 G-F led to a terrible 5.9 homer rate. While Nunez managed a 4.76 ERA on a 54:20 K:BB in 68 IP after his demotion to AAA Albuquerque(PCL), he also allowed another 13 homers in the minors. Given this growing skill deficiency, Nunez's decision to sign with Colorado appears questionable at best. I can't think of a worse player in baseball to own than Nunez this year, so roster him at your team's peril, assuming he even finds more than a couple innings with the Rockies.

202.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jaret Wright		2	2	7.35	1.90	50	31	76	56.1
SD/ATL		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-7		-13		-2		2
2003 Age: 27	5x5:	-6		-11		-2		R

Amazingly, Atlanta apparently will give Wright a chance to earn a starting spot, and considering his past arm injuries, their plan is a bad idea at best. After joining the Braves, Wright compiled a 9:3 K:BB in 9 IP with 7 H, 0 HR, and a 14-7 G-F. Given that performance, he probably possesses the skills to develop into an elite reliever if he remains healthy. Avoid Wright until no earlier than Dollar Days if he manages to win a rotation slot, but consider spending a few bucks on Wright as a potential alternative to Smoltz as long as breaks camp in their bullpen.

203.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Todd Jones		3	0	7.08	1.81	59	31	93	68.2
COL/BOS		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:S	4x4:	-8		-15		-3		2
2003 Age: 35	5x5:	-6		-12		-3		R

A relatively strong rebound with Boston may have saved Jones 'career. Even though he only managed a minor league contract with Tampa Bay this winter, his 31:13 K:BB in 29.1 IP with 32 H, 2 HR, and a 1.25 G-F with the Red Sox suggests he only requires a solid defense to succeed. Since the Devil Rays should field one of the best defenses in baseball, Jones could reemerge as a viable roto option. I still wouldn't target him this spring since he certainly isn't guaranteed a roster spot, but consider Jones whenever he reaches the majors again if his skills and qualitative stats appears solid after several outings.

204.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Aaron Cook		4	0	6.02	1.75	43	57	160	124
COL Rockies		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-9		-17		-4
2003 Age: 24	5x5:	-7		-14		-2		R

Cook posted a 6.00 ERA on a sub-1.00 K:BB in 87 innings in the rotation yet managed numbers nearly as bad in relief work. While he likely will break camp as a starter this year, he instead belongs in the minors for at least another half-year of seasoning since he never demonstrated the skills at AAA that someone like Jason Young demonstrated in 2003. I believe Cook should develop into a solid starter in time, but he currently appears incapable of posting an ERA much below 6.00. Expect him to break camp in the majors, pitch terribly for a half-dozen starts, spend the next three months in the minors, and then reemerge as a viable option for Colorado towards the end of the year. If Cook follows a plan along those lines, he might merit some roto consideration next year, however due to the terrible skills we've seen from him thus far in the majors, definitely do not draft him this spring.

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

Today's Fantasy Rx: On our last day of reviewing major league relievers in 2003, only Jaret Wright merits consideration for fantasy teams. He still owns good skills and possesses intriguing long-term upside, so assuming he wins a set-up spot for the Braves as we expect, selecting him in the endgame should net you a solid reliever, especially useful in keeper leagues since he could begin closing within the next couple of years.