Using starters in relief

[motherscratcher]

Does anyone routinely use a starter as a reliever (aside from the Babe Adams strategy)? How good are they compared to regular relievers? What are the advantages/disadvantages?

The reason I ask is I am in a theme league and the best/most expensive reliever available to me is Jack Russell $1.23.

But I have a lot of starters available in the $5mil range.

Would a guy like Firpo Marberry $5.48 be appreciably better than Jack Russell in a reliever role? And what would be the best way to use him?

[andycummings65]

As a guy in your league, i would say yes :D

[motherscratcher]

LOL you're using Firpo in relief aren't you? I glanced at your team and thought you had him starting but he has some saves. Damn, I thought I had an original thought there for a minute.

So what's the verdict? Would you play it that way again? He's got to be more effective than Russell and George Caster, right?

BTW, I understand if you don't want to dole out advice, especially considering in a few days my Indians are going to be taking it to your Red Sox in the playoffs. :D

[PotKettleBlack]

Generally, on a dollar per dollar basis, S/R guys have weaker cards than pure R guys. Now, if you are not resource constrained, but working a theme, Firpo is better than Jack Russell. But if the money matters, in the same pau band, the pure R will have the better card.

Similar deal... At any given price point, a five day starter has a better card than a four day starter. The 10 starts account for the pricing.

[andycummings65]

Very limited player pool, PKB.

And yes, thats what I am doing, although I slipped up and didnt set my rotation and HAL put him in to start. THe ERA we are playing didnt produce many good relievers. MArberry is better than Russell. However, at 5.48m, Marberry is LIGHT YEARS worse than Sutter or Eck at the same price. But Sutter and Eck aint around.........