Two guys have been discussed - Kadokura and Taguchi.

Matt Smith - The Cubs have started to collect lefties with regularity in the past couple of years. In terms of older guys, we've already added Jason Waddell and Bill White. Like those two, Matt Smith could be much ado about nothing. He was the Yankees 4th round pick way back in 2000. He was a part of the Bobby Abreu and the late Cory Lidle deal in 2006. He reached the bigs for a couple cups of tea - 2006 with the Yankees and Phillies, 2007 with the Phillies. He had Tommy John after the 2007 season, so 2008 was about rebuilding himself, and he was only in High A with the Phillies. At his best, Smith was an effective left handed reliever that mixed in a decent fastball with a plus slider that was effective against lefties, and thus, considering the state of our lefty situation (I don't trust Cotts), Smith is definitely, like Waddell and White, worth half an eye's attention. Again, could be nothing more than AAA filler.

Erick Almonte and Joseph Colon don't feel like much more than minor league fillers. At one point in time, Almonte looked like a decent asset coming up with the Yankees, but not anymore.