Rule 5 Draft

[notin]

The Sox have a few needs and an open 40 man roster spot. With the Rule 5 draft pending, will/should they participate? It’s another possibly sneaky way to grab that extra bullpen arm.

 

The biggest issue is keeping the player on the 25 man roster for a full year. But deals can be worked out to circumvent this. It happens all the time...

[moonslav59]

We certainly have some DFA candidates to maybe try a rule 5 pick. I think the current opening is for a FA signing.

[notin]

We certainly have some DFA candidates to maybe try a rule 5 pick. I think the current opening is for a FA signing.

 

It very well could be, but the Sox have a few deadweight candidates who might be less valuable than the 40 man roster spot they occupy. I’m thinking Marcus Walden, Marco Hernandez and Chandler Shepherd, to name three.

 

If the Sox were able to get Junior Fernandez from the Cardinals, it might be worth it to let one of them go. Fernandez throws about 99mph, which does make him a Dombrowski type pitcher.

 

Of course he might not be available when the Sox have their pick...

[moonslav59]

It very well could be, but the Sox have a few deadweight candidates who might be less valuable than the 40 man roster spot they occupy. I’m thinking Marcus Walden, Marco Hernandez and Chandler Shepherd, to name three.

 

If the Sox were able to get Junior Fernandez from the Cardinals, it might be worth it to let one of them go. Fernandez throws about 99mph, which does make him a Dombrowski type pitcher.

 

Of course he might not be available when the Sox have their pick...

 

Yes, we wouldn't miss Marco or Shepherd, and even if we sign Eovaldi and a RP'er, we could squeeze a place on the 25 man roster, if Pedey starts on the DL and we deal Swihart and an out of options player like Hembree, Workman or Johnson.

[moonslav59]

Projected 25 man roster:

 

RED: Out of option trade candidate to make room for rule 5 or 3rd FA signing.

12 Pitchers:

Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, _____

Johnson, Velzaquez, Wright (DL)

_____, Barnes, Brasier, Thornburg (trade?), Hembree, Workman

 

Vaz (trade?), Leon (trade?), Swihart

Moreland & Pearce

Holt & Pedey (DL)

Bogey & Lin (AAA?)

Devers & Nunez

Beni, JBJ, Betts & JD

 

 

[sk7326]

I would be very surprised if there was anybody in Rule V worth getting.

[notin]

I would be very surprised if there was anybody in Rule V worth getting.

 

I think there might be. These drafts rarely produce immediate stars, but there are some helpful players.

 

And if nothing else, it's a quick way to add help to the Sox upper minors, which will be important this season...

[moonslav59]

I think there might be. These drafts rarely produce immediate stars, but there are some helpful players.

 

And if nothing else, it's a quick way to add help to the Sox upper minors, which will be important this season...

 

How does it help the upper minors by drafting a rule 5 guy that has to stay on the 25 man roster?

 

Maybe by attrition? The problem is, we have too many bubble pitchers out of options, like Johnson, Hembree & Workman.

[Kimmi]

The Sox rarely take part in the Rule 5 draft. If I recall what I read correctly, Josh Rutledge was the last such player.

[notin]

How does it help the upper minors by drafting a rule 5 guy that has to stay on the 25 man roster?

 

Maybe by attrition? The problem is, we have too many bubble pitchers out of options, like Johnson, Hembree & Workman.

 

Deals can be worked out. It’s very common for the selecting team and the team losing the player to work out a trade or cash settlement that can negate the requirement for the player to be on the roster. This allows the selected player to go to the minors...

[notin]

The Sox rarely take part in the Rule 5 draft. If I recall what I read correctly, Josh Rutledge was the last such player.

 

That was in 2016. They’ve passed on one since.

 

The Sox also made a selection in 2014, a pitcher named Jandel Gustave or something. He was traded to the Royals along with his Rule 5 status...

[moonslav59]

Deals can be worked out. It’s very common for the selecting team and the team losing the player to work out a trade or cash settlement that can negate the requirement for the player to be on the roster. This allows the selected player to go to the minors...

 

Yes, I know those deals aren't uncommon. I suppose we could do something like that to build depth in the minors, but I'm thinking about how to get a solid RP'er or two and/or a starter.

[sk7326]

The Sox rarely take part in the Rule 5 draft. If I recall what I read correctly, Josh Rutledge was the last such player.

 

The protection rules iirc were revised a couple of CBA terms ago which drained the pool a lot.

[Bellhorn04]

The Sox rarely take part in the Rule 5 draft. If I recall what I read correctly, Josh Rutledge was the last such player.

 

Ah yes, Josh Rutledge. I recently learned that his wife Laura is a sideline reporter for ESPN on college football games. She was in the news because she got slammed into by a couple of players going out of bounds. (She was okay.) One of the players thought he would be nice and offered to go on a date with her. That's when Josh's name came into it LOL

[OH FOY]

Keep an eye out for LHP Jesus Luzardo. He could be a good gamble.

My mistake still too early.

Edited November 27, 2018 by OH FOY!

[moonslav59]

Here are some names...

 

https://www.minorleagueball.com/2018/11/24/18109863/here-are-9-intriguing-milb-prospects-left-unprotected-heading-into-the-mlb-rule-5-draft

[Bellhorn04]

Keep an eye out for LHP Jesus Luzardo. He could be a good gamble.

My mistake still too early.

 

Wow what a name though.

[Dojji]

Yes, I know those deals aren't uncommon. I suppose we could do something like that to build depth in the minors, but I'm thinking about how to get a solid RP'er or two and/or a starter.

 

Our starting depth in the minors is already better than most of our opponents, and with talented relivers like Workman fighting for roster spots, I feel like this is an attempt to invent a problem where none exists.

 

My concern is honestly about the 2-3 year window more than immediate depth. We solve that problem by maximum stability on the big league roster until the youth percolates up and is ready to replace them.

[kenmeister]

Projected 25 man roster:

 

RED: Out of option trade candidate to make room for rule 5 or 3rd FA signing.

12 Pitchers:

Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, _____

Johnson, Velzaquez, Wright (DL)

_____, Barnes, Brasier, Thornburg (trade?), Hembree, Workman

 

Vaz (trade?), Leon (trade?), Swihart

Moreland & Pearce

Holt & Pedey (DL)

Bogey & Lin (AAA?)

Devers & Nunez

Beni, JBJ, Betts & JD

 

 

 

Ken's 25 man roster:

 

Signed: Kelly, Miller

 

5 starters: Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Velazquez

7 relievers: Johnson, Barnes, Brasier, Poyner, Workman, Miller, Kelly

8 starting fielders: Vazquez, Devers, Bogaerts, Pedroia, Pearce, Beni, JBJ, Betts

5 reserve fielders: Holt, Nunez, Moreland, Leon, Lin

[notin]

Our starting depth in the minors is already better than most of our opponents.

 

Based on what?

 

 

Our minor league starters that are likely to make appearances in 2019 include no ranked prospects (which other teams will have) and no one in the top ten of the Sox own farm system, which has been universally rated as one of the worst systems in the game today.

 

The rotation in Pawtucket figures to have two 30+ yo career minor leaguers and very, very little MLB experience, let alone success...

[Kimmi]

Ah yes, Josh Rutledge. I recently learned that his wife Laura is a sideline reporter for ESPN on college football games. She was in the news because she got slammed into by a couple of players going out of bounds. (She was okay.) One of the players thought he would be nice and offered to go on a date with her. That's when Josh's name came into it LOL

 

LOL Cool story.

 

It seems like a lot of baseball players' wives are sports reporters.

[moonslav59]

Based on what?

 

 

Our minor league starters that are likely to make appearances in 2019 include no ranked prospects (which other teams will have) and no one in the top ten of the Sox own farm system, which has been universally rated as one of the worst systems in the game today.

 

The rotation in Pawtucket figures to have two 30+ yo career minor leaguers and very, very little MLB experience, let alone success...

 

I'd guess we have one of the worst.

[notin]

I'd guess we have one of the worst.

 

The only depth starter we have I have any faith in is Velasquez...

[moonslav59]

The only depth starter we have I have any faith in is Velasquez...

 

Johnson's okay and Wright is fine, if healthy (like hardly ever), but so many teams have better depth, especially in AAA.

[notin]

As Dombrowski has not filled his vacant roster spot, he might be planning to select a player.

 

One possibility that makes sense would be to select a 2b like Max Schrock or Kean Wong.

 

The idea here is if Pedroia is not ready, the Sox have someone lined up for the position. Holt and Nunez are also options, but they are both the only backup infielders and outfielders in the team. If the Sox select a 2b, and Pedroia is fine, that player can be returned. So this is a little safer than signing a free agent to an MLB for the role...

[mvp 78]

Johnson's okay and Wright is fine, if healthy (like hardly ever), but so many teams have better depth, especially in AAA.

 

The same starter depth that got them 108 wins.

[kenmeister]

If we don't sign Eovaldi, I'm with notin and hope Velazquez gets the 5th spot. If Pedroia can't come back to play 2B, I hope we give Lin a chance.

[notin]

The same starter depth that got them 108 wins.

 

The Red Sox got 27 starts from their reserve depth last year, discounting Pomeranz/Eovaldi.

 

That’s a reasonable number to expect any season. The bulk were handled by Johnson (13) and Velasquez (8).

 

Johnson’s status is completely unknown where he could be anywhere from 5th starter to trade bait to DFA. (Yeah he’s probably in the pen again.) The only thing we do know is, Johnson can’t go to the minors. So if he is called upon to start a few games, it still creates a void in the MLB roster...

[mvp 78]

If we don't sign Eovaldi, I'm with notin and hope Velazquez gets the 5th spot. If Pedroia can't come back to play 2B, I hope we give Lin a chance.

 

People will have to learn how to spell Esteban Quiroz.

 

Editor's note:

 

Pedroia will be playing 150 games this year.

Edited December 3, 2018 by mvp 78

[notin]

If we don't sign Eovaldi, I'm with notin and hope Velazquez gets the 5th spot. If Pedroia can't come back to play 2B, I hope we give Lin a chance.

 

I don’t want Velasquez in the fifth spot. I just want him there more than I want Johnson there.

 

If the Sox don’t resign Eovaldi, I hope they acquire another SP...