Today's Fantasy Rx

Arizona: Carlos Baerga, 1B
14/66 for .212/.288/.318 with 2 HR, 10 RBI, 66 R, 0/0 SB%,
and a 5:8 BB:K.

Although Baerga's .343/.396/.464 performance last season appeared to mark a career resurgence for the 35-year-old, his terrible numbers this year could lead to his departure from organized baseball. Baerga owns respectable plate discipline, however a 2.36 G-F demonstrates negligible power potential and defensive problems make him no more than a pinch-hitter and occasional first baseman. Inconsistent pinch-hitters rank among the worst gambles for fantasy teams given their irregular playing time and limited quantitative upside. Considering Baerga's age and dramatic downfall both now and upon departing the Indians in 1996, I see no reason to gamble on another rebound. Deal or cut him even if a couple of Arizona's struggling prospects look like your only alternatives. While the youngsters might emerge as decent roto options, Baerga seems finished.

We'll continue tomorrow with American League underachieving pitchers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Yesterday I briefly discussed the benefits of exchanging weak starters in bad lineups for skilled part-time players in productive offenses. In the National League, Arizona and Montreal each field lineups full of underachieving roto flops. Dealing a regular from these last-place teams for a respectable bench bat from St. Louis or San Francisco could pay welcome dividends due to the superior support enjoyed by your new acquisition.