Today's Fantasy Rx

American 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.

75.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jose Santiago		1	0	2.84	1.61	15	14	37	31.2
CLE Indians		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-1		-2		-2
2003 Age: 28	5x5:	-1		-2		-2

The relative paucity of solid, experienced reliever on Chicago's roster makes Santiago a good candidate to open the year with the Sox, however he lacks the skills to secure a long-term spot in their bullpen. A career-best 3.58 G-F last year at least limits his downside, however despite occasional bouts of effectiveness, Santiago appears to require a solid defense to compensate for his weak dominance. Considering he also posted a 33:22 K:BB in 66.2 IP with 79 H and 1 HR over 25 G at AAA Buffalo(IL), I see little evidence of him developing into a quality reliever. Don't draft him as long as his high hit rates continue negating the moderate fantasy value generated by his normally decent control.

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

Today's Fantasy Rx: Most of today's pitchers will be lucky to see more than a few innings in the majors in 2004. Grant Balfour is the obvious exception in that he enters spring training as an extremely likely candidate for the Twins' rotation. His skills would look even stronger in their bullpen, but he merits at least a few bucks if he opens the year as a starter. Considering his generally low profile, he also will be a good candidate to target in the later rounds of many drafts, particularly in keeper leagues.

Jim Mecir also is a good draft choice in general, however unless Arthur Rhodes unexpectedly falters, the probably middle reliever looks like roster filler at best.