The Windup is a weekly in-depth look at notable pitching trends and categories.

If you are struggling to get ahead in the pitching categories in a Rotisserie league, and you can't seem to snare a top player in a trade, take a good look at your free-agent list or set your sights a bit lower when making some offers. Targeting lesser-known pitchers and middle relievers can help your team's statistics.

Studying the available or lesser-heralded pitchers with a good WHIP ratio is a fine way to patch holes on your staff. If you can pick up or acquire a pitcher with a good ratio, then a respectable ERA will often follow. You'll be able to rise in two categories and sometimes more by trying to add one of these quality WHIP artists.

John Riedling, Cincinnati: Even if the Reds start to falter, you can still expect good numbers from Riedling. Danny Graves is getting most of the attention, but Riedling is certainly worth having on your staff. His 0.770 WHIP paves the way to a 1.46 ERA.

Akinori Otsuka, San Diego: He won't get a chance to close as long as Trevor Hoffman stays healthy. But his 0.895 WHIP is a clear sign that he often slams the door before Hoffman locks it.

Rodrigo Lopez, Baltimore: In many leagues, he's still a big secret. Lopez has pitched so well out of the bullpen, the Orioles seem reluctant to transform him back into being a starter, because he was often erratic in that role. Out of the pen, he has built an 0.906 WHIP.

Shingo Takatsu, Chicago White Sox: It might not be too much longer before he latches onto the closer's job. Takatsu started a bit slowly but now has an 0.960 WHIP and 1.62 ERA.

Ryan Madson, Philadelphia: Madson has quietly come up from the minors and can seemingly fill any role for the Phillies. Madson already has three wins, a save and a 1.000 WHIP.

Tom Gordon, New York Yankees: He has quietly re-established himself as one of the game's top setup men. Gordon has been getting a lot of the tough outs while building a 1.014 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP.

Carl Pavano, Florida: Pavano continues to be one of the more underrated starters in baseball. He is smart, tough and has registered a 1.162 WHIP and 3.67 ERA with very little fanfare, as usual.

Doug Waechter, Tampa Bay: Because of unfulfilling run support, Waechter's 2-4 record scares a lot of owners away. Yet he'll get you some scattered victories, and he's definitely worth using when the matchups are favorable, as evidenced by his 1.086 WHIP.

Oliver Perez, Pittsburgh: Many savvy Fantasy owners have been aware of his talent level, yet few have become enamored with his production so far. Perez, though, has a 1.073 WHIP, a 2.95 ERA, and with a 3-2 record, he won't command a hefty price in a trade.

Justin Duchscherer, Oakland: Duschscher hasn't be able to crack the Oakland rotation but has still been very effective out of the bullpen after escaping speculation during the spring that he might not even make the club. His ERA and WHIP are identical if you use the fourth number of ERA, at 1.141.

Guillermo Mota, Los Angeles: Eric Gagne gets the glory, but Mota has nasty stuff, too. He is one of the most effective setup man in the National League; his live stuff has generated a 1.200 WHIP and a 2.16 ERA.

Jason Frasor, Toronto: Like Takatsu, he could find himself finishing games soon. For now, he's one of the best young short men in the game. Frasor's 1.095 WHIP and 0.85 ERA mean you must pick him up now if he's still available.

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