News: The Giants optioned reliever Steve Edlefsen and assigned infielder Joaquin Arias, outfielder Justin Christian and right-handed pitcher Jean Machi to Triple-A Fresno on Wednesday.
Analysis: None of these players were expected to make a major Fantasy impact if they made the Giants roster. Continue to ignore them in Fantasy.
News: The Pirates have assigned SP Kevin Hart, 3B Neil Walker and SP Chris Jakubauskas to Triple-A and have sent 1B Brian Myrow, SP Brian Burres, RP Wil Ledezma, RP Jean Machi and C Hector Gimenez to minor-league camp.
Analysis: Hart was a candidate for a rotation spot this spring, but he walked 13 batters in 4 2/3 innings over three outings and that was the end of that. While Walker is a low-end prospect, none of these guys are expected to have much of a Fantasy impact in 2010, so continue to ignore them.
News: Reliever Jean Machi was given medical clearance Friday and threw a bullpen session. He was held out of Thursday's workout and had extra physical tests.
Analysis: Machi is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of leagues that use true middle men, if he gets time on the roster this season. Ignore him on Draft Day.
News: The Pirates agreed to terms with the following players on minor league contracts with an invitation to spring training: LHP Brian Burres, LHP Neal Cotts and RHP Tyler Yates. The Pirates have also invited: RHP Jimmy Barthmaier, RHP Vinnie Chulk, RHP Craig Hansen, RHP Jeff Karstens, LHP Wil Ledezma, RHP Jean Machi, RHP Jeremy Powell, RHP Tony Sanchez, LHP Jack Taschner, LHP Justin Thomas, OF Jonathan Van Every and RHP Virgil Vasquez.
Analysis: Pirates starting pitchers on major league deals, even ones with a future, have little Fantasy intrigue outside of NL-only leagues. Most of these guys will spend the year in the minors and off Fantasy radars. None of these guys are worth drafting even in NL-only leagues at this point.
News: The Toronto Blue Jays released RHP Jean Machi.
Analysis: Machi is nothing more than organizational depth at this point in his career. Ignore him in all Fantasy leagues right now.
News: The Blue Jays optioned SS Russ Adams, SS Sergio Santos, RHP Jean Machi and LHP David Purcey to Triple-A Syracuse. Also, they returned 2B Pedro Lopez and C Brian Jeroloman to minor league camp Wednesday.
Analysis: Adams and Santos could help at some point this season, but they would be nothing more than low-end AL-only options once called back up. The other players are nothing more than organizational depth and can be ignored in all Fantasy leagues on Draft Day.
