Brad Wilkerson did not stay unemployed for long...

Another week in baseball is complete, and another week of transactions. It was a relatively slow week, a few players cut or designated for assignment, but here is what did happen.

We start in the American League, with Jacque Jones. After hitting over 20 homers four times between 2002 and 2006, Jones suffered a power outage in Chicago last season, knocking only five over the ivy in 453 at-bats. After moving to Detroit, Jones was given the opportunity to man left field, but after 20 games, Jones could muster only 13 hits in 79 at-bats, and was designated for assignment. It remains to be seen if Jones will catch on elsewhere, but last rumors had the Marlins and the Padres interested. With only six home runs in his last 530 at-bats, Jones' time may have passed. The move creates some opportunity for rookie Matt Joyce, and also frees up more at-bats for Marcus Thames. Thames has some fantasy value, especially since he totaled 44 home runs in the 2006 and 2007 combined, over 617 at-bats.

In other outfielders who were once considerably better, Jim Edmonds received his unconditional release from the San Diego Padres earlier this week. Injuries and age have certainly taken their toll on Edmonds, but the drop off from year to year has been truly incredible. This is a guy who hit 42 homers as recently as 2004. This year he simply could not get the job done, with an Andruw Jones-esque .178 average over 90 at-bats. The Padres decided to cut Edmonds loose as he had become a liability. At his age and with his decreased effectiveness, it is unlikely that he will catch on elsewhere. In his absence, there should be more at-bats to go around for Scott Hairston and Paul McAnulty, and Jody Gerut. Hairston is probably the best bet for fantasy production, as his power is real. The rest should probably be avoided unless you are in a really deep league.

Back to the American League, where Kevin Mench was sent by the Rangers to the Blue Jays for the always mysterious cash considerations. Mench is a long way from those days in 2004 and 2005 when he drilled 26 and 25 home runs, respectively, but one has to imagine that he can still contribute to the, currently, last place Blue Jays offense. His offense will be even more necessary with Vernon Wells on the disabled list with a broken left wrist (that could sap his power even on his return).

In case Mench was not enough, the Blue Jays also signed Brad Wilkerson. Wilkerson struggled with his average last year, batting only .234, and apparently losing the one skill that made him so valuable in his Expos days, that is, a high on base percentage. Wilkerson still has power, and with the Wells injury, may get another chance, but you can probably avoid.

And though this is not exclusively a Blue Jays column, one more Blue Jays note: Armando Benitez is back! Benitez was atrocious for both the Marlins and the Giants last season, though as recently as 2004, he was completely dominant. At 35, I would not expect him to recapture that magic, nor would I expect him to have the opportunity to net any saves. This pickup is noteworthy if only because things that Benitez do are almost always noteworthy.

Another volatile middle reliever who had a rough week was Derrick Turnbow, who was optioned to Triple-A by the Milwaukee Brewers. After an all-star campaign in 2005, Turnbow was dreadful in 2006 and 2007, before going nuclear this year, allowing 11 earned runs in only six innings. Turnbow has always had an electric fastball, prone to bouts of wildness (this year: 13 walks in six innings). He probably will catch on as a middle reliever somewhere (the Mets have been reportedly interested), he is no longer a fantasy option.

And finally, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Jason Michaels from the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations. Michaels has always been a decent role player, but why the Pirates needed to go out and acquire him is beyond me. With and outfield composed of full time players Jason Bay, Nate McLouth, and Xavier Nady, it does not look like Michaels will have much value.

That is all for this week. Tune in next week for another look at the most important transactions of the week.