40 man roster
Thanks to Chad Jennings at the SWB Blog for providing this list of potential rule 5 draft players:
http://emedia.thetimes-tribune.com/Blogs/SWBYankees/tabid/552/Default.aspx
Pitchers: Wilkins Arias, Anthony Claggett, J.B. Cox, Wilkins De La Rosa, Michael Dunn, Chris Garcia, Eric Hacker, Alan Horne, Steven Jackson, Jason Jones, Zach Kroenke, Jhonny Nunez, Kevin Whelan, Eric Wordekemper
Catchers: Kyle Anson, P.J. Pilittere
Infielders: Reegie Corona, Eric Duncan, Chris Malec, Ramiro Pena, Marcos Vechionacci
Outfielders: Matt Carson, Edwar Gonzalez, Tim Battle
He states about 7 spots will be open on the 40 man roster which I agree.
Both catchers do not need to be protected. Pilittere is a good defensive guy, light hitter but is around 27 and has no real spot in the organization. Cervelli will be at AAA in 09 and the Yanks have 2 studs who will be at Tampa in A ball. Romine and Montero. Anson has a little better projection and he is only 25/26. Great defense (laser of an arm) and no hit. I doubt a team would open up a spot on the 25 man roster for him. Risk having him be taken.
There are not any infielders that jump out at you. Duncan was left unprotected last year and was not selected. He did not have a great year this year and likely will not be taken. Corona, Malec and Pena are utility type guys. Good defense and little bat. I would protect Corona and if possible Malec. Malec is a gamer and has played some first as well as other IF positions.
As for the outfielders. Carson had a decent year at AAA and is a very good defensive OF. But he will be 27 in 09 and the Yanks have outfield depth in the minors. I would risk him being taken which is a possibility. Gonzalez is a little younger and had a good year at AA but does not need to be protected. Battle has a lot of tool but has spent 3 years a A ball and still strikes out way too much. He is young and made some progress towards the end of the year but am still not sure a team would add him to the 25 man roster for the year. Tough call.
Pitchers. Wilkins Arias, Anthony Claggett, J.B. Cox, Wilkins De La Rosa, Michael Dunn, Chris Garcia, Eric Hacker, Alan Horne, Steven Jackson, Jason Jones, Zach Kroenke, Jhonny Nunez, Kevin Whelan, Eric Wordekemper
Cox was a very good prospect before TJ surgery and breaking his hand. He was a 2nd round draft pick and could help the bullpen in 09. He needs to be protected.
Garcia also needs to be protected. He finally got healthy towards the end of 09, is young and has stuff to be a #2-3 big league starter.
All the other guys are tough calls. Hacker finally got healthy and had a great year but is 25 and is not a fireball pitcher. It may be another year or two before he has a chance to start in the bigs. Not sure a team would take him.
Either Dunn or De La Rosa needs to be protected as a future left handed reliever. Dunn is closer to the bigs but De La Rosa has better raw stuff.
Chad Jennings makes a strong argument for Jackson which I agree with.
The other guys could be left off the 40 man roster and exposed. Not the end of the world if any of them are teken.