Danny Richar is likely headed back to the minor leagues this season.

Danny Richar – Second Base – Chicago White Sox – The Pale Hose acquired Richar from the Diamondbacks to replace Tadahito Iguchi after he was traded to the Phillies.  In 190 at bats he had six home runs and drove in 15 while providing decent defense at the keystone.  He was tabbed to be the starting second baseman this season until visa issues delayed his arrival, and back problems kept him out of spring games when he finally arrived.  He’s lost his starting job to free-swinger Juan Uribe after scuffling in the few games he’s player.  Richar is bound for Triple A, and may not be seen in Chicago until September at the earliest.  Don’t waste a draft pick on him.

Emil Brown – Outfield – Oakland Athletics – Brown is a career minor leaguer who ended up patrolling left field for the Royals because he was a cheap option for a cheap team.  At 33 years of age, he’s already on the downside of his career, yet Billy Beane brought him in with the intention of making him the starting left fielder for the A’s.  A look at his career numbers reveals an upside of 15-17 homers with a .285 average, and the truth is he’s best suited to a fourth or fifth outfielder role.  That is likely what he will be if he struggles early and the A’s have a prospect knocking on the door.  Brown just is not worth a roster spot unless you are truly desperate.

Garrett Olsen – Starting Pitcher – Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles brought Olsen up last season believing he had nothing left to prove in the minors.  He proceeded to get knocked silly to the tune of a 7.80 ERA over seven starts, walking 28 batters in 32 innings of work.  His control issues have continued this spring as he’s walked six in his first seven innings.  Until Olsen starts believing in the stuff he had in Triple A, and throws more strikes, he belongs on the waiver wire in the fantasy game.  Leave him right where he is until he develops an out pitch.

Tony Pena – Shortstop – Kansas City Royals – Pena is the classic defensive shortstop with great defensive skills and no stick whatsoever.  The Royals acquired him from the Braves organization to fill the gap until one of several shortstops in their minor league system emerges.  Pena has little patience at the plate, walking in only 2% of plate appearances, and he hits grounders 56% of the time, which leads the AL.  Unfortunately, he cannot run either, so he won’t help with stolen bases either.  All of this adds up to make a player who is barely useful in baseball, and utterly useless in fantasy.