News: The pitching-needy Los Angeles Angels signed reliever Brad Salmon to a minor league contract Wednesday.
Analysis: Salmon is nothing more than organizational depth at this point in his career. Ignore him in all Fantasy leagues right now.
News: Before Wednesday's game against the Brewers, the White Sox reassigned infielders Sergio Santos and Brian Myrow and pitcher Brad Salmon to minor league camp. They also optioned pitcher Lucas Harrell to Double-A Birmingham.
Analysis: These are obviously all players who are going to be starting the 2009 season in the minor leagues and likely won't make any Fantasy impact in 2009. Ignore them on Draft Day.
News: Left-hander Aaron Poreda and infielder Gordon Beckham, drafted in the first round by the White Sox the past two years, were among 18 players invited Monday to spring training. The White Sox agreed to terms with 13 players on minor league deals and invited them to their new complex in Glendale, Ariz., beginning Feb. 15. They also invited five players from the minors, including Poreda and Beckham. Poreda was the team's top choice in 2007 out of San Francisco and Beckham a first-rounder in 2008 out of Georgia. Receiving non-roster invitations were infielders Javier Castillo, Brian Myrow, Sergio J. Santos and Eider Torres; catchers Corky Miller and Chris Stewart; outfielders Josh Kroeger and Michael Restovich; right-handers Ryan Z. Braun, Franklyn German, Brad Salmon and John Van Benschoten; and left-hander pitcher Randy Williams. Catchers Tyler Flowers and Donny Lucy and right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal were invited from the minor league system.
Analysis: Poreda could compete for a rotation spot this spring and is an outstanding prospect. Consider him a sleeper in AL-only and long-term keeper leagues at this point, because he probably will start the year back in Triple-A. Beckham needs a full pro season before he will be a candidate for a call-up, so consider him an elite keeper prospect. Flowers is a catcher with a great bat we could see in the majors by the end of the year, while the rest of these players are nothing more than organizational depth at this point. Ignore them on Draft Day.
News: The Royals assigned four non-roster invitees to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday: infielders Angel Berroa and Jason Smith and pitchers Brandon Duckworth and Brad Salmon.
Analysis: The most significant name on this list is Berroa, who once won the AL Rookie of the Year. He and the other three are nothing more than organizational depth at this point in their careers, though. Leave them on waivers.
News: The Reds traded relief pitcher Brad Salmon to the Royals for a player to be named or cash Wednesday. The 28-year-old Salmon made his major league debut in 2007. The right-hander went 0-1 with a 4.13 ERA in 26 games for the Reds, striking out 22 batters in 24 major league innings, allowing 22 hits and walking 10. He was called up from Triple-A Louisville four times during the season. He didn't figure into plans for this year's bullpen, fortified in the offseason by the acquisitions of Francisco Cordero and Jeremy Affeldt.
Analysis: Salmon is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of AL-only leagues that use them. Ignore him on Draft Day.
News: The Reds non-tendered shortstop Jerry Gil and reliever Brad Salmon, making them free agents. They re-signed them later Thursday to minor league deals.
Analysis: Gil is nothing more than organizational depth, while Salmon is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use them. Ignore these two on Draft Day.
News: The Reds non-tendered shortstop Jerry Gil and reliever Brad Salmon, making them free agents.
Analysis: Salmon, who was decent in the Reds' bullpen as a rookie, is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of leagues that use true middle men. Ignore him in all formats on Draft Day.
News: The Reds recalled RHP Todd Coffey, RHP Kirk Saarloos, RHP Brad Salmon, 1B Joey Votto and OF Buck Coats from Triple-A Louisville and purchased the contract of catcher Ryan Hanigan on Tuesday.
Analysis: Salmon is not a top prospect, so consider him nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men.
News: LHP Phil Dumatrait and RHP Marcus McBeth were the Reds' only Sept. 1 call-ups, but the club is expected to call up RHP Todd Coffey, RHP Brad Salmon, RHP Kirk Saarloos, C Ryan Jorgensen and 1B/OF Joey Votto after Class AAA Louisville ends its season Monday.
Analysis: Coffey, Salmon and Saarloos aren't worth picking up outside of larger NL-only leagues that value middle relievers.
News: In the latest bullpen shakeup, Reds RP Mike Stanton was activated off the disabled list Thursday and RP Brad Salmon was optioned to Triple-A Louisville.
Analysis: Salmon has been up-and-down a few times this season and is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men when in the big leagues.
News: The Cincinnati Reds optioned struggling reliever Gary Majewski to Triple-A Louisville on Friday and recalled rookie Brad Salmon.
Analysis: The Reds had optioned right-hander Salmon to Louisville on June 5. The 27-year-old is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 11 games with the Reds this season. He is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men, while on the big league roster.
News: The Reds optioned RHP Brad Salmon to Triple-A Louisville and outrighted OF Dewayne Wise to Louisville.
Analysis: Salmon is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men, while on the big league roster. Ignore him.
News: The Reds recalled RP Brad Salmon and INF Jeff Keppinger from Triple-A Louisville on Friday. They also placed RP Marcus McBeth on the bereavement list.
Analysis: Salmon will work out of middle relief until McBeth is ready to return. Use him as a stopgap middle relief option in NL-only leagues, but even that is debateable.
News: The Reds sent Brad Salmon back to the minor leagues.
Analysis: Salmon was is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men. Ignore him.
News: Reds RHP Brad Salmon made his major league debut Tuesday, allowing no hits or runs with one walk in the ninth.
Analysis: Salmon is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men. The rookie isn't considered a viable option to close games at this point.
News: Reds RP Brad Salmon was recalled from Triple-A Louisville Saturday to replace Rheal Cormier, who was designated for assignment.
Analysis: The Reds bullpen has been shaky of late and Salmon could be used in middle relief often. Still, he isn't a player that will be in line for saves, holds or any other significant relief statistic.
News: MLB.com reports that the Reds have optioned RPs Brad Salmon and Brian Shackleford to Triple-A Louisville. Manager Jerry Narron said he couldn't find room for either pitcher on the active roster, but he liked what he saw from both of them.
Analysis: Neither pitcher is worth considering in leagues this spring as both would be nothing more than middle relievers.
News: The Reds purchased the contract of RHP Brad Salmon from Triple-A Louisville.
Analysis: Salmon, 26, was a strong minor-league reliever, but his role would be too limited to make him viable in Fantasy leagues at this point.
