Two Middle Relievers Worth Owning

Back in early March I wrote about drafting middle relievers late in the draft instead of starters who might be in the back of a team's rotation.

What if I told you that taking two middle relievers would be a better option for your fantasy team? Let's first look at Blanton's 5x5 stats from last season. He had nine wins, 111 strikeouts, a 4.69 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP.

Now, let's look at a few middle relievers who should also be available in those late rounds. J.P. Howell and Matt Thornton both have average draft positions well above 300. If you were to use your final two selections on them and combine their stats here's what you'd get. You have a pitcher with 11 wins, 169 strikeouts, a 2.41 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in 156.2 innings of work.

This is sound advice that I have always followed. It gets even better if your league uses holds as a stat category, but I digress. You see the strategy at work there. Now let me share with you two relievers, who I am targeting now, who are lighting it up early in middle relief roles.

Octavio Dotel, White Sox -- To date, Dotel has made two appearances and struck out the side both times. Read that again because that's flippin' dominating pitching. He's struck out six while only giving up one hit and walking none. He also recorded a relief win in one of his appearances. He's one of the main set-up guys for Bobby Jenks and has struck out more than a batter per inning in each of the last two seasons. He's going to rack up on holds, grab a few relief wins and is really looking like he's going to strike everyone out. You should consider finding a place on your roster for Dotel.

Michael Wuertz, Athletics -- Wuertz might not be striking out just about every batter he faces, but he's still showing off great stuff in Oakland. He's made two relief appearances and struck out four batters while walking none. He's also recorded a relief win and only given up one hit. Wuertz hasn't been pitching in a set-up role for the Athletics. He's been the first relief pitcher to the mound after the starter gets yanked. This could get Wuertz some serious innings this year and allow his strikeout total to climb. That could also put him into mix for five to six relief wins, which could really help your fantasy team.

If you were to find two lower end starters on your roster (come on, I know lots of you took flyers on Brian Moehler and Scott Olsen) and replace them with Dotel and Wuertz, I'd bet you that these two could combine for 11 wins and 140 strikeouts while keeping their ERA right at 3.00. I think I'd take that. The question is ... would you?