Rotohelp.com

by Tim Polko

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.

National League Relief Pitchers with $-3 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.
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.

117. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Mike Venafro 0 0 4.00 1.56 6 3 11 9
LA Dodgers 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 31 P:L B:L -3 -3 1.9 1.9

Los Angeles acquired Venafro from Kansas City for Elvin Nina in August. The veteran only posted a 4.64 ERA on a 45:21 K:BB in 64 IP over 40 G with 78 H and 8 HR between AAA Omaha(PCL) and AAA Las Vegas(PCL), yet he still spent several weeks in the Dodgers, pitching nine innings in seventeen games. Venafro simply can't face right-handers without allowing baserunners, so even if Jim Tracy limits him to facing left-handed hitters, nothing here suggests that Venafro can contribute to a successful fantasy team.

118. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Josias Manzanillo 3 1 6.12 1.64 27 15 38 32.1
FLO Marlins 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 36 P:R B:R -3 -3 -1.8 -1.8

Homer problems ruined Manzanillo's best shot at reemerging as a viable relief option since he nearly ended his career by turning down arbitration with the Pirates a few years ago; no team seriously considered giving the Pirates a 1st round pick just to add a decent middle reliever, thereby forcing Manzanillo back into Pittsburgh's minors. While signing with Boston should result in the veteran seeing some time in the majors, nothing in his recent skill sets suggests he can avoid hurting your qualitative stats. Despite his mildly intriguing potential, don't draft Manzanillo in any league.

119. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Brian Sweeney 1 0 5.65 1.53 10 2 20 14.1
SD Padres 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 30 P:R B:R -3 -3 0.1 -0.4

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: San Diego for my comments on Sweeney.

120. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Elizardo Ramirez 0 0 4.80 1.47 9 5 17 15
PHI Phillies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 21 P:R B:R -3 -3 1.6 1.6

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

121. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Rigo Beltran 0 0 13.50 1.50 0 0 1 0.2
MON Expos 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 34 P:L B:L -3 -3 -0.6 -0.7

Registering a 3.58 ERA on a 54:17 K:BB in 65.1 IP over 8 GS(26G) for AAA Edmonton(PCL) earned Beltran a minor league deal with Milwaukee and a chance to break camp as perhaps the only left-handed in the Brewers' bullpen. I see no reason he can't contribute in a limited role, however the proliferation of capable NL relievers conversely leaves you no reason to risk rostering Beltran until you see him post several solid outings.

122. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Ryan Wagner 3 0 4.70 1.66 37 27 59 51.2
CIN Reds 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 22 P:R B:R -3 -2 6.2 6.2

123. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Brian Fuentes 2 0 5.64 1.46 48 19 46 44.2
COL Rockies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 29 P:L B:L -3 -2 0.2 0.2

124. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Jim Crowell 0 0 3.00 2.00 1 0 6 3
PHI Phillies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 30 P:L B:R -3 -3 1 1

125. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Jason Boyd 1 0 5.54 1.62 12 8 13 13
PIT Pirates 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 31 P:R B:R -3 -3 0.2 0.2

126. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
John Franco 2 0 5.28 1.52 36 24 46 46
NY Mets 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 44 P:L B:L -3 -2 2.3 2.3

127. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Mike Neu 0 0 4.50 1.75 2 2 5 4
FLO Marlins 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 26 P:R B:S -3 -3 0.6 0.6

128. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Kirk Bullinger 1 1 6.16 1.50 11 10 36 30.2
HOU Astros 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 34 P:R B:R -3 -3 -1.8 -1.8

129. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Justin Wayne 3 0 5.79 1.62 20 18 35 32.2
FLO Marlins 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 25 P:R B:R -3 -3 -0.4 -1.5

130. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Mark Corey 1 0 4.54 1.63 28 19 39 35.2
PIT Pirates 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 29 P:R B:R -3 -3 5 3.8

131. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Tim Drew 0 0 4.50 1.63 7 5 21 16
ATL Braves 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 26 P:R B:R -3 -3 2.3 1.8

132. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Toby Borland 1 0 5.40 1.64 18 12 18 18.1
FLO Marlins 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 35 P:R B:R -3 -3 0.6 0.6

133. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Jeremy Fikac 1 0 5.40 1.56 22 13 26 25
MON Expos 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 29 P:R B:R -3 -3 0.9 0.9

134. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Mike Bynum 0 0 54.00 6.00 0 3 1 0.2
SD Padres 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 26 P:L B:L -3 -3 -4 -4

135. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Matt Mantei 0 4 11.81 2.16 13 6 17 10.2
ARI Diamondbacks 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 31 P:R B:R -3 -3 -8.1 -8.1

136. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Vladimir Nunez 3 0 7.01 1.56 22 14 26 25.2
COL Rockies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 29 P:R B:R -3 -3 -4.2 -4.2

137. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Allan Simpson 2 0 5.08 1.64 46 20 44 39
COL Rockies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 27 P:R B:R -3 -2 2.9 2.9

138. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Jason Simontacchi 0 0 5.28 1.57 3 7 17 15.1
STL Cardinals 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 30 P:R B:R -3 -3 0.8 0.2

139. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Roberto Hernandez 3 0 4.76 1.68 44 29 66 56.2
PHI Phillies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 39 P:R B:R -3 -2 6.4 6.4

140. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Nate Bump 2 1 5.01 1.60 44 32 86 73.2
FLO Marlins 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 28 P:R B:R -3 -2 6.1 3.6

141. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Brian Boehringer 1 0 4.62 1.74 20 17 27 25.1
PIT Pirates 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 34 P:R B:S -3 -3 3.3 3.3

142. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Franklyn Gracesqui 0 1 11.25 2.25 1 3 6 4
FLO Marlins 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 25 P:L B:S -3 -3 -2.7 -2.7

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Florida for my comments on Gracesqui.

143. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Ben Ford 1 0 6.38 1.46 13 10 25 24
MIL Brewers 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 29 P:R B:R -3 -3 -2.1 -2.9

144. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Steve Watkins 0 0 6.28 1.47 7 4 17 14.1
SD Padres 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 26 P:R B:R -3 -3 -1.1 -1.5

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: San Diego for my comments on Watkins.

145. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Kevin Walker 0 0 16.20 3.00 1 2 3 1.2
SF Giants 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 28 P:L B:L -3 -4 -2.2 -2.2

146. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Willis Roberts 0 0 5.25 1.75 7 9 12 12
PIT Pirates 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 29 P:R B:R -3 -3 0.6 0.6

147. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Travis Smith 2 0 6.20 1.48 26 12 48 40.2
ATL Braves 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 31 P:R B:R -3 -3 -2.6 -3.9

148. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Ben Howard 1 0 5.50 1.54 33 21 37 37.2
FLO Marlins 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 25 P:R B:R -3 -3 0.9 -0.4

149. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Geoff Geary 1 0 5.44 1.52 30 16 52 44.2
PHI Phillies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 28 P:R B:R -3 -3 1.3 -0.2

150. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Chad Fox 0 0 6.75 1.59 17 8 9 10.2
FLO Marlins 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 34 P:R B:R -3 -3 -1.4 -1.4

151. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Mike Matthews 2 0 6.30 1.57 15 16 31 30
CIN Reds 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 30 P:L B:L -3 -3 -2.3 -2.3

152. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Claudio Vargas 5 0 5.25 1.55 89 64 120 118.1
MON Expos 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 26 P:R B:R -3 -2 6.3 2.4

153. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
John Riedling 5 0 5.10 1.67 46 40 90 77.2
CIN Reds 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 29 P:R B:R -3 -3 5.6 3

154. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Roy Corcoran 0 0 6.75 2.25 4 5 7 5.1
MON Expos 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 24 P:R B:R -3 -4 -0.7 -0.7

155. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Will Cunnane 1 0 7.30 1.78 11 4 18 12.1
ATL Braves 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 30 P:R B:R -3 -3 -2.5 -2.5

156. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Travis Driskill 0 0 6.48 1.92 6 3 13 8.1
COL Rockies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 33 P:R B:R -3 -4 -0.8 -1.1

157. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Masao Kida 0 0 5.65 1.74 10 6 19 14.1
LA/SEA 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 36 P:R B:R -3 -3 0.1 -0.4

158. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Nelson Figueroa 0 0 5.72 1.52 10 11 32 28.1
PIT Pirates 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 30 P:R B:R -3 -4 -0.1 -1.1

159. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Andy Pratt 0 0 21.60 4.20 1 7 0 1.2
CH Cubs 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 25 P:L B:L -3 -4 -3.3 -3.3

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Milwaukee for my comments on Pratt.

160. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Aaron Myette 0 0 8.31 2.54 6 8 3 4.1
CIN Reds 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 27 P:R B:R -3 -4 -1.4 -1.4

161. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Adam Bernero 1 0 5.57 1.64 21 17 36 32.1
COL Rockies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 27 P:R B:R -3 -3 0.5 -0.6

162. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
C.J. Nitkowski 2 0 5.73 1.70 26 16 40 33
ATL/NYY 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 31 P:L B:L -3 -3 -0.2 -0.2

163. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Brandon Villafuerte 0 0 4.05 1.95 13 14 25 20
ARI Diamondbacks 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 28 P:R B:R -3 -4 4 4

164. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Rod Beck 0 0 6.38 1.50 15 9 27 24
SD Padres 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 36 P:R B:R -3 -4 -2.1 -2.1

165. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Darren Oliver 3 0 5.94 1.49 46 21 87 72.2
FLO/HOU 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 33 P:L B:R -3 -3 -2.4 -4.8

166. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Merkin Valdez 0 0 27.00 4.20 2 3 4 1.2
SF Giants 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 22 P:R B:R -3 -4 -4.4 -4.4

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: San Francisco for my comments on Valdez.

167. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Travis Phelps 0 0 10.50 1.83 3 3 8 6
MIL Brewers 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 27 P:R B:R -3 -4 -3.6 -3.6

'05 NL Relief Pitcher Week concludes tomorrow with more National League relievers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Two dominant former closers and a potential future stopper highlight today's pitchers. Boston's Mantei and the Cubs' Fox shouldn't see significant innings this year yet both could emerge as vital cogs in their respective relief corps if they somehow remain healthy. Of course, the one pitcher worthy of a decent investment remains Valdez, who appears headed towards Jerome Williams' current status as a post-post-hype sleeper still capable of emerging as an extremely valuable property regardless of his eventual role.

Click here to read the previous article.

Please e-mail your comments to tim@rotohelp.com.




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	March 12^th 2005			Your Daily Fantasy Rx