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Mon Feb 02 11:16am EST

Hot Stove Helper: Professor, what's another word for pirate treasure?

By Andy Behrens

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_fantasy_experts__9/ept_sports_fantasy_experts-604257362-1233503729.jpg?ymxn1uADT62zlRHAThroughout January and February, we're reviewing offseason MLB transactions that have fantasy implications, and we're going team-by-team. This isn't quite like Hot Stove Daily. The focus here is limited. We're only looking at ownable fantasy players who've found new employers.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Enjoy the Super Bowl afterglow, Pittsburgh. The Pirates will slouch into spring training very soon, ending the official period of celebration.

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_fantasy_experts__9/ept_sports_fantasy_experts-367152093-1233503716.jpg?ymkn1uADl.wMCY2SThere are few reasons for optimism if you're a Bucs fan. Fantasy owners are interested in OF Nate McLouth (ADP 59.7), C Ryan Doumit (120.9), RP Matt Capps (149.4) and a pair of 22-year-old prospects, OF Andrew McCutchen and 3B Pedro Alvarez. But that's it, really. The rest of Pittsburgh's roster is just a sad collection of LaRoches, low-ceiling veterans and sketchy left-handers.

None of the team's offseason acquisitions -- OF/1B Eric Hinske, 2B/SS/3B Ramon Vazquez, OF Craig Monroe, RHP Virgil Vasquez, LHP Donald Veal, C Jason Jaramillo -- will deserve serious consideration in mixed leagues. If things break just right for Hinske and Vazquez, maybe they'll play their way onto NL-only rosters. Let's not pretend that they're worth detailed discussion in a fantasy feature, though. You like the multi-position eligibility, but you can't possibly like the career rates.

The 67-win Pirates seem to have spent the offseason treading water. They might be interested in Pedro Martinez, but not at his asking price, whatever it is.

Honestly, it's tough to even identify a current player whose image might lure readers to this particular Hot Stove Helper. Perhaps you can be enticed by the Cobra. If you're at all enthusiastic about the 2009 Bucs, please comment …

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