Today's Fantasy Rx

Per popular request, I will provide all of the player information tables for these articles even if I still need to complete comments for some pitchers.

American League Relief Pitchers with DV below $-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.
Age = Player's Age as of October 1, 2004.
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.
RAR = Runs Above Replacement; Adjusted RAR = RAR modified to
consider whether a pitcher qualified as a starter in Scoresheet fantasy baseball .

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.

151.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Joe Nelson		0	0	16.88	2.63	5	3	4	2.2
BOS Red Sox		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 29	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-3.6		-3.6

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Boston for my comments on Nelson.

152.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Brad Thomas		0	0	16.88	3.00	0	1	7	2.2
MIN Twins		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 26	P:L    B:L	-4		-4		-3.6		-3.6

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Boston for my comments on Thomas.

153.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jason Kershner		0	0	6.04	1.70	15	8	30	22.1
TOR Blue Jays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	P:L    B:L	-4		-4		-0.2		-0.2

The soft-tossing southpaw imploded last summer, compiling a 7.94 ERA on awful skills in April, rebounding to register a 1.17 ERA on a 7:1 K:BB in 7.2 May innings, and then losing his 40-man spot altogether after posting a 9.00 ERA on a 4:3 K:BB in 9 June innings. Kershner struggled against all batters, failing even to remain a viable lefty specialist, and now he ranks as no higher than the fourth left-handed option in Boston's bullpen. Expect a full year in the minors for Kershner since he still seems a few years away from earning the veteran lefty credentials that should keep him employed for the next dozen seasons.

154.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jamie Brown		0	0	5.87	2.48	6	4	15	7.2
BOS Red Sox		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		0.1		0.1

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Boston for my comments on Brown.

155.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Franklyn German		1	0	7.36	1.91	8	11	17	14.2
DET Tigers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 24	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-2.5		-2.5

A lack of minor league options should insure German breaks camp in the majors despite his struggles in 2004. He remained relatively dominant for AAA Toledo(IL) last summer, compiling 27 saves and a 4.69 ERA on a 59:25 K:BB in 48 IP. Yes, his abysmal 55:58 career K:BB for Detroit prevents any competitive fantasy team from employing German, but his strikeout rate at least indicates potential for future success; just don't roster him anywhere this year.

156.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
John Webb		0	0	7.00	2.11	9	7	12	9
TB Devil Rays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 25	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-1.2		-1.1

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Tampa Bay for my comments on Webb.

157.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Justin Huisman		0	1	6.84	1.76	13	8	36	25
KC Royals		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 25	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-2.7		-2.7

Moving to the Royals in an April trade didn't result in the expected success for Huisman after a 2003 season spent as one of the most effective relievers in baseball for AA Tulsa. He only managed a 3.61 ERA on an unimpressive 37:18 K:BB in 42.1 IP for AAA Omaha(PCL) and demonstrated little skill during his time in the majors. While Huisman's 2.75 G-F at least limits his downside, nothing here allows me to recommend the youngster to you, especially considering the superior options in the Kansas City bullpen should kept Huisman in the minors until the fall.

158.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Kerry Ligtenberg		1	3	6.38	1.78	49	25	73	55
TOR Blue Jays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 33	P:R    B:R	-4		-3		-2.9		-2.9

159.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Dave Lee		0	0	10.38	2.77	4	4	8	4.1
CLE Indians		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 31	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-2.4		-2.4

160.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Adam Peterson		0	0	16.88	3.75	2	3	7	2.2
TOR Blue Jays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 25	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-3.6		-3.6

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Toronto for my comments on Peterson.

161.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
J.D. Durbin		0	0	7.36	2.45	6	6	12	7.1
MIN Twins		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 22	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-1.3		-1.3

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Minnesota for my comments on Durbin.

162.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jason Standridge		0	0	9.00	1.80	7	4	14	10
TB Devil Rays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 25	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-3.7		-3.7

163.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Carlos Pulido		0	0	8.74	1.76	9	4	16	11.1
MIN Twins		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 33	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-3.9		-3.9

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Minnesota for my comments on Pulido.

164.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jason Anderson		0	0	45.00	5.00	1	4	1	1
CLE Indians		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 25	P:R    B:L	-4		-4		-4.8		-4.8

165.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Felix Heredia		1	0	6.28	1.66	25	20	44	38.2
NY Yankees		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 29	P:L    B:L	-4		-4		-1.5		-1.5

166.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Rafael Soriano		0	0	13.50	3.60	3	3	9	3.1
SEA Mariners		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 24	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-3.1		-3.1

167.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jack Cressend		0	0	6.32	2.04	8	10	22	15.2
CLE Indians		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 29	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-0.7		-0.7

168.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Felix Diaz		2	0	6.75	1.58	33	16	62	49.1
CH White Sox		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 24	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-4.8		-4.7

169.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Kevin Frederick		0	0	6.59	1.67	22	16	32	28.2
TOR Blue Jays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	P:R    B:L	-4		-4		-2.2		-2.2

170.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jairo Garcia		0	0	12.71	2.47	5	9	5	5.2
OAK Athletics		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 21	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-4.7		-4.7

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Oakland for my comments on Garcia.

171.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Pedro Astacio		0	0	10.38	2.08	6	5	13	8.2
BOS Red Sox		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 34	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-4.7		-4.7

172.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Craig Dingman		2	0	6.75	1.88	16	22	33	29.1
DET Tigers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 30	P:R    B:R	-4		-4		-2.9		-2.8

173.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Steve Colyer		1	0	6.47	1.78	31	24	33	32
DET Tigers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 25	P:L    B:L	-4		-4		-2		-2

174.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Joe Beimel		0	0	43.20	6.00	2	2	8	1.2
MIN Twins		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	P:L    B:L	-4		-5		-7.7		-7.7

175.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Sean Douglass		0	0	6.28	1.68	36	28	37	38.2
TOR Blue Jays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 25	P:R    B:R	-5		-4		-1.5		-1.5

176.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jeff Bajenaru		0	0	10.80	2.52	8	6	15	8.1
CH White Sox		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 26	P:R    B:R	-5		-5		-5		-5

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Chicago(A) for my comments on Bajenaru.

177.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Dave Maurer		0	0	54.00	8.25	1	5	6	1.1
TOR Blue Jays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 29	P:L    B:R	-5		-5		-7.9		-7.9

178.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Chad Durbin		6	0	6.97	1.76	48	35	72	60.2
CLE/ARI		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 26	P:R    B:R	-5		-4		-7.6		-7.5

179.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Scott Stewart		1	0	6.58	2.12	26	12	43	26
CLE/LA		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 29	P:L    B:R	-5		-5		-2		-2

180.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Juan Padilla		1	0	7.71	1.99	17	12	39	25.2
NYY/CIN		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	P:R    B:R	-5		-5		-5.6		-5.6

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Cincinnati for my comments on Padilla.

181.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Arnaldo Munoz		0	0	10.05	2.23	11	12	20	14.1
CH White Sox		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 22	P:L    B:L	-6		-5		-7.2		-7.2

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Chicago(A) for my comments on Munoz.

182.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Damian Moss		0	0	16.88	2.25	6	5	13	8
TB Devil Rays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	P:L    B:R	-6		-5		-10.8		-10.8

183.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jeriome Robertson		1	0	12.21	2.21	6	9	22	14
CLE Indians		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	P:L    B:L	-6		-6		-10.8		-10.8

184.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Kevin Jarvis		1	0	10.80	2.33	7	9	26	15
SEA/COL		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 35	P:R    B:L	-6		-6		-9		-8.9

185.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Ben Weber		0	0	8.06	2.33	11	15	37	22.1
ANA Angels		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 34	P:R    B:R	-7		-6		-5.8		-5.8

186.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Clint Nageotte		1	0	7.36	2.05	24	27	48	36.2
SEA Mariners		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 23	P:R    B:R	-7		-6		-6.3		-6.3

187.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Lino Urdaneta		0	0	INF	INF	0	1	5	0
DET Tigers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 24	P:R    B:R	-11		-11		-6.7		-6.7

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Detroit for my comments on Urdaneta.

'05 AL Relief Pitcher Week continues tomorrow with more American League relievers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Avoid almost everyone discussed above at all costs aside from an abbreviated deep sleeper list of J.D. Durbin, Rafael Soriano, and Clint Nageotte. While this trio possesses considerable long-term promise, I see little evidence that any of these three will contribute in any significant role before the fall barring a serious injury to a Minnesota or Seattle starter.