The Windup is a weekly in-depth look at pitching. We examine player news and trends that will have a heavy impact on your Fantasy team.

It's not easy to acquire quality pitching in a trade, and if you don't have enough top-notch closers, it becomes difficult to fill out the final spots on your pitching staff every week. It's even more of a challenge to field a full lineup of quality pitching in AL-only and NL-only leagues.

If you don't have enough top starting pitching or enough closers to satisfy you, there is still much hope for your staff. Adding one of the following middle relievers who are often overlooked is a smart move. While you might not get ideal win totals or get few or no saves from these pitchers, they can certainly help your ERA and WHIP ratio.

LaTroy Hawkins, Chicago Cubs: He's likely not available in many leagues. But he's also likely sitting on many owners' benches because he's not picking up saves yet. Hawkins, however, hasn't allowed an earned run in seven innings and should be active if you have him.

Tim Worrell, Philadelphia: He has been a forgotten man, now working as a setup guy for Billy Wagner. Worrell, though, is still every bit as effective as he was as a closer; he also has not allowed an earned run in seven innings.

J.C. Romero, Minnesota: He has often been quietly effective, and he seems to be returning to his past form after not performing well in 2003. He has yet to allow a run in his first eight innings of work this year.

Ron Villone, Seattle: He looks like he is going to fit well into a bullpen that can certainly use a veteran lefty who can get key outs. Villone's 0.783 ERA is a sign that he should certainly be useful in AL-only leagues this season.

Wilson Alvarez, Los Angeles: He could move into the rotation or make some spot starts down the line. For now, he has good velocity and movement on his pitches and is sporting a 1.00 ERA and 0.889 WHIP.

Chad Fox, Florida: As long as he stays healthy, Fox should continue to be effective. He has often had trouble staying healthy, but while he's available, you should take notice of his 1.17 ERA and 0.913 WHIP.

Chris Reitsma, Atlanta: He should pick up some scattered saves, and he has already fashioned a 1.22 ERA and an 0.955 WHIP. Reitsma is certainly considered one of the top setup men in the National League.

B.J. Ryan, Baltimore: He is quickly becoming one of the top setup men in the game, and Lee Mazzilli is now using him against both left-handed and right-handed batters. Ryan has responded well to the additional work, as he has not allowed a run in his first 8.3 innings of work this year.

Akinori Otsuka, San Diego: He was a closer in Japan, and he's shutting the door on hitters in the majors now when he has to. Otsuka has not been intimidated by major-league hitters, turning in a 1.17 ERA and 1.044 WHIP.

Al Levine, Detroit: Once again, he is being very effective with little fanfare. Levine has always been a solid choice for WHIP and ERA. So far this year, he has a 1.17 ERA and a 1.044 WHIP.

Sun-Woo Kim, Montreal: He wasn't able to win a rotation spot during the spring, yet Kim has responded by pitching very well out of the bullpen. In 10.3 innings, Kim has an 0.87 ERA and a 1.065 WHIP.

Scott Engel is the 2003 champion of the Krause Publications Experts League.