Sleeper Watch

For many owners, a fantasy bullpen is all about closers. Top saves men command huge premiums in drafts and auctions, and once even Colorado’s closer is off the board, the focus quickly turns to closers-in-waiting such as Ryan Wagner. Yet there’s also considerable value to be had from middle relievers who don’t stand to pick up any saves, and at a far lower price.

A prime example of such a player is Minnesota’s Juan Rincon. Joe Nathan is firmly entrenched as the Twins’ stopper following a 44-save campaign in which he posted a WHIP below 1.00, with 23-year-old Jesse Crain waiting in the wings as Nathan’s eventual replacement. In other words, the odds of Rincon contributing to your saves column this year are minimal.

Nevertheless, Rincon could be a valuable fantasy asset this year in leagues with daily lineup changes. In 77 2004 appearances, he posted a minuscule 1.02 WHIP and a 2.63 ERA in 82 innings, numbers that certainly won’t hurt your team’s totals. Additionally, Rincon fanned 106 batters, more than starters such as Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe. Roto owners with tight IP caps know how valuable those 1.29 Ks per inning can be, and Rincon’s 11 wins were certainly a nice bonus. (If you’re still thinking about that IP cap, that’s 55% more wins per inning than Boston’s 21-game-winner Curt Schilling.)

Even if he doesn’t reach double digits in wins again this year (and relievers’ victory totals fluctuate considerably from season to season), his WHIP, ERA and Ks should be enough to make Juan Rincon a useful cog in a fantasy pitching staff who can be had at a bargain-basement price (in our January Mock Draft, for example, Rincon was the 252nd and final player chosen). Of course, if your league counts holds, you probably shouldn’t wait too long to grab him…