Today's Fantasy Rx

American League Relief Pitchers without Positive Draft Value

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 2, 2005.
4x4 = BA, HR, RBI, and SB in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters in 2005.
5x5 = BA, HR, RBI, SB, and R in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters in 2005.
RAR = Runs Above Replacement in 2005; Adjusted RAR = RAR modified to
consider whether a pitcher qualified as a starter in Scoresheet fantasy baseball .

We ranked players 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, we listed each player in the league where he started the season.

101.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jeff Bajenaru		0	0	6.23	0.92	3	0	4	4.1
CH White Sox		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	P:R    B:R	-2		-2		-0.9		-0.9

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Chicago(A) for my comments on Bajenaru.

102.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Masao Kida		0	0	4.50	1.00	0	0	2	2
SEA Mariners		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 37	P:R    B:R	-2		-2		0		0.3

The veteran journeyman spent almost all of last season at AAA Tacoma(PCL), where he compiled a 4.16 ERA and 22 Saves on a 63:25 K:BB in 75.2 IP over 52 G with 69 H and 5 HR. He returned to Japan in November, signing a one-year deal with Yakult for 2006.

103.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Steve Stemle		0	0	5.06	1.31	9	4	10	10.2
KC Royals		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 28	P:R    B:R	-2		-2		-0.6		0.6

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Kansas City for my comments on Stemle.

104.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Manny Delcarmen		0	0	3.00	1.67	9	7	8	9
BOS Red Sox		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 23	P:R    B:R	-2		-2		1.8		2.8

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Boston for my comments on Delcarmen.

105.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jason Karnuth		0	0	5.40	1.20	0	0	2	1.2
DET Tigers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 29	P:R    B:R	-2		-3		-0.2		-0.2

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Detroit for my comments on Karnuth.

106.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Bret Prinz		0	0	3.00	1.67	1	1	4	3
LA Angels		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 28	P:R    B:R	-2		-3		0.6		0.6

A strained shoulder sent Prinz to the DL less than two weeks after the Angels acquired him from the Yankees for Wil Nieves. Prinz never returned to the majors, departed Los Angeles in the fall, and with Colorado as a minor league free agent. Considering he hasn't pitched particularly well since closing for Arizona in 2001, he certainly merits no fantasy consideration with the Rockies.

107.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Colter Bean		0	0	4.50	1.50	2	2	1	2
NY Yankees		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 28	P:R    B:L	-2		-3		0		0

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: New York(A) for my comments on Bean.

108.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Travis Bowyer		0	0	5.59	1.34	12	3	10	9.2
MIN Twins		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 24	P:R    B:R	-2		-2		-1.2		-0.1

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Minnesota for my comments on Bowyer.

109.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Scott Atchison		0	0	6.75	1.20	9	1	7	6.2
SEA Mariners		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 29	P:R    B:R	-2		0		-1.8		-1.8

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Seattle for my comments on Atchison.

110.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Nick Regilio		1	0	4.58	1.64	14	7	22	17.2
TEX Rangers		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	P:R    B:R	-2		-2		0		2.1

While Regilio returned to the Rangers on a minor league deal for 2006, the elbow surgery he required to repair a torn tendon last July easily could cost him much of this summer. Considering he didn't exactly dominate hitters prior to the injury, I think you can safely avoid Regilio in all leagues until further notice.

111.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Joe Beimel		0	0	3.27	1.73	3	4	15	11
TB Devil Rays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 28	P:L    B:L	-2		-3		1.8		1.8

Compiling a superficially solid 3.93 ERA in 52.2 IP for AAA Durham(IL) apparently convinced the Dodgers that Beimel owned better skills the 36:21 K:BB that accompanied that ERA. Los Angeles signed the journeyman southpaw to a minor league deal, but after barely spending any time in the majors over the last two years, he appears highly unlikely to contribute in any significant way.

112.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Trever Miller		2	0	4.06	1.67	35	29	45	44.1
TB Devil Rays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 32	P:L    B:R	-2		-2		2.8		2.8

Although I recognize that Miller's skills collapsed last year, he still remained reasonably effective and certainly didn't merit non-tendering. Now the Devil Rays lack any capable lefty reliever while Miller landed a job in Houston, a situation that shouldn't benefit either party given the downside inherent in the drop from 1.95 to .93 in his ground-fly rate. Do not roster him until he moves to a better pitchers' park.

113.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jesus Colome		2	0	4.57	1.59	28	18	54	45.1
TB Devil Rays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	P:R    B:R	-2		-2		0.1		0.1

Sporadic shoulder problems prevented Colome from building on his gains from 2004. Instead most of his skill ratios plummeted, however he at least demonstrated the best control of his career. Given his relative youth and the unsettled Tampa pen, teams in deep Ultra leagues need to consider spending a reserve pick on Colome. While I can't recommend him in standard league, he remains on the edge of the saves' mix and still should emerge as a closer some day.

114.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Clint Nageotte		0	0	6.75	1.75	1	1	6	4
SEA Mariners		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 24	P:R    B:R	-2		-3		-1.1		-0.6

Back problems rather limited Nageotte last year but didn't keep him from compiling a 2.65 ERA on a 35:22 K:BB in 34 IP with 21 H and 2 HR over 19 G for AAA Tacoma(PCL). Continued development in the Arizona Fall League similarly suggests he still could develop into a very useful starter. Of course, given the Mariners' highly unsettled bullpen, Nageotte most likely will settle into a middle relief role by year's end, possibly even competing for the closer's job. Remember his high ranking among pitching prospects only a couple years ago when looking for high-upside youngsters in the endgame.

115.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jason Grimsley		1	0	5.73	1.50	10	9	24	22
BAL Orioles		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 38	P:R    B:R	-2		-3		-3.1		-3.1

Acquired by the Orioles back in 2004 for Denny Bautista, Grimsley required Tommy John surgery that October, thereby keeping him from pitching until the second half last year. A strained Achilles further limited his effectiveness, but Grimsley never owned great skills before the injury. I don't know why the Diamondbacks view him as an important part of their bullpen since I won't be surprised if he pitches himself off the team by the beginning of summer.

116.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Ramiro Mendoza		0	0	18.00	2.00	1	0	2	1
NY Yankees		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 33	P:R    B:R	-2		-3		-1.7		-1.7

Shoulder surgery nearly sidelined Mendoza for the season, but the Yankees apparently saw something here since he's back in camp on a minor league deal. Of course, given his limited effectiveness since initially departing New York, wait until he registers several successful outings while owning decent skills before considering him in any league.

117.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Jason Anderson		1	0	7.94	1.94	2	7	4	5.2
NY Yankees		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 26	P:R    B:L	-2		-3		-2.3		-2.3

With an impressively extensive minor league history yet less than 40 innings in the majors, Anderson appears nicely positioned for a breakout after San Diego claimed him off waiver last month. His 2.66 ERA on a 60:18 K:BB in 67.2 IP with 44 H and 4 HR over 55 G for AAA Columbus(IL) translate into very strong numbers in PETCO, so if he snags a bullpen spot, definitely consider Anderson whenever looking for roster filler. I see no reason he can't develop into a top middle reliever very quickly.

118.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Greg Jones		0	0	6.75	1.69	6	2	7	5.1
LA Angels		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 28	P:R    B:R	-2		-3		-1.4		-1.4

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Los Angeles(A) for my comments on Jones.

119.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Tim Byrdak		0	1	4.05	1.80	31	21	27	26.2
BAL Orioles		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 31	P:L    B:L	-2		-2		1.7		4.9

Byrdak earned his first look in the majors since 2000 by compiling a 2.17 ERA and 11 Saves on a 42:15 K:BB in 37.1 IP with 22 H and 4 HR for AAA Ottawa(IL). Remaining relatively effective following that promotion not only kept him on the 40-man roster but insures he'll break camp with the Orioles this year. I don't anticipate his extremely high walk rate adversely affecting his qualitative stats to any severe extent, although Byrdak similarly isn't a viable fantasy option due to his low-upside role as a lefty specialist.

120.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Tim Corcoran		0	0	5.96	1.37	13	12	19	22.2
TB Devil Rays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 27	P:R    B:R	-2		-3		-3.8		-1.2

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Tampa Bay for my comments on Corcoran.

121.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Craig Hansen		0	0	6.00	2.33	3	1	6	3
BOS Red Sox		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 21	P:R    B:R	-2		-3		-0.5		-0.2

Please refer to our Post-2005 Prospect Review: Boston for my comments on Hansen.

122.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Lee Gardner		0	0	4.91	1.91	4	2	12	7.1
TB Devil Rays		4x4		5x5		RAR		Adj. RAR
Age: 30	P:R    B:R	-2		-3		-0.3		0.6

Once again Gardner pitched just fine at AAA Durham(IL), registering a 3.53 ERA and 15 Saves on a 35:15 K:BB in 51 IP, yet only received the briefest look in the majors. Unfortunately, the combination of Gardner's limited upside and the continued refusal of big league teams to give him an extended chance effectively zeroes his roto value. Even a change of pace courtesy of a minor league with Detroit appears unlikely to lead to anything more than another solid AAA campaign.

American League Reliever Reviews continue tomorrow.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Only a few of today's pitcher merit more than the briefest glance. Travis Bowyer and Craig Hansen both should emerge as closers no later than 2007, making them superb late-round choices this spring. Scott Atchison and Jason Anderson only need big league jobs to contribute as roster filler. Lastly Clint Nageotte stands alone as the one pitcher here with serious long-term potential as either a starter or closer.