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Sporting News, The, June 10, 2005 by Chris Bahr

It makes no difference what kind of league (5x5, points, salary cap) you play in; the strikeout is a valuable star. Just ask those Randy Johnson owners who fumed when the Big Unit failed to fan a single A's hitter a few starts back. But the strikeout also can be overvalued, even deceptive, when evaluating starting pitchers.

Fantasy Source editor Brendan Roberts, in a recent office discussion, commented on the steep decline in strikeouts for Tigers lefthander Nate Robertson. Last season, Robertson struck out 155 hitters in 196 2/3 innings. This year, he fanned 23 in his first 53 1/3 innings. The drop-off is a big deal because Robertson isn't a major contributor in any area except strikeouts.

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But a decrease in strikeouts can sometimes be a good thing. In the case of a younger pitcher, it could mean he is learning to rely on his defense and ability to record outs in other ways. The Indians' Cliff Lee is a great example. He put up strong strikeout numbers last season (161 whiffs in 179 innings), but his overall stats were weak as he tired in the second half. This season, he has fewer strikeouts, but his ERA and WHIP are much lower.

Need more proof? Check out Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. In 2003, he struck out 204 in 266 innings. Through 11 starts this season, he had 59 strikeouts in 85 innings. He also had a 2.54 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP and eight wins. Halladay is on pace to post better overall stats despite not having as many strikeouts. And though he recently tweaked an oblique muscle, the pitching shoulder he had problems with last season is sound.

On the flip side, the Orioles' Daniel Cabrera averaged 4.63 strikeouts per nine innings last season; in 2005, he has averaged 9.06. His overall numbers remain terrible, however.

Are there exceptions to the rule? Of course. Should you suddenly devalue strikeouts? Of course not. Just be aware that the stat doesn't tell the whole story.

5 IN YOUR FACE

1. Carlos Zambrano has Internet elbow? That explains the e-mails we've been getting from DustyVictim@yahoo.com. An example: "Should I look to deal C-Zam before that meat-grinding manager causes my--I mean his--arm to fall off?"

2. Who has a better chance on the road: the Astros or a pack of three-legged possums? The answer seems obvious, but remember that the possums freeze at the sight of headlights whereas the Houston players have no light at the end of the tunnel to distract them.

3. No one out, runner on third. Somehow, Edgar Renteria will find a way to hit into a triple play.

4. Trading Randy Johnson for Javier Vazquez and Brad Halsey: Amazingly, this looks like an even, better deal for fantasy owners than the Diamondbacks at this point. So why don't the Yankees kill two birds with one ball? Have Jason Giambi run in front of the plate dressed in a dove outfit.

5. He can't steal a base or throw out a would-be basestealer. So would Jason Kendall be able to throw himself out? We'll never know--not just because this scenario is hypothetical but because Kendall would have to reach base. --C.B.

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Sporting News, The, June 10, 2005 by Chris Bahr

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