For those wondering where I've been recently, it's called work. Ugh. But I found some time during lunch today to give everyone a primer on the decisions facing the 40 man roster tonight.
Every team must add any players subject to the Rule 5 draft to the 40 man roster by midnight tonight. That applies to any player in the organization who was either 18 years old prior to their signing and has 5 years of service time or any player 19 or older before their draft with 4 years of time. if left unprotected, any team can draft an eligible player in the rule 5 draft, with the understanding that they must remain on the major league roster all season or be offered back to the original team.
Shane Victorino says hello.
So does Michael Martinez.
The Phillies 40 man roster can be found HERE It currently sits at 34 players, so there are six spots available.
Our friend Matt Winkleman did a great analysis of the players that could be affected tonight over at Phuture Phillies. Links for players on the 40 man can be found HERE For Pitchers eligible its HERE and for any position players its HERE
For those not clicking over the links, here's a list of the players in the organization on the bubble that would need to be added to avoid exposure to rule 5:
Seth Rosin, Rob Rasmussen, Brody Colvin, Nick Hernandez, Perci Garner, David Buchanan, Ethan Stewart, Tommy Joseph, Kelly Dugan, Aaron Altherr, Anthony Hewitt.
There are a few pretty clear adds, in Rasmussen (the return for Michael Young) Tommy Joseph and Kelly Dugan, and I think Altherr is ultimately protected as well. Seth Rosin has a good shot, and as much as I think it's a mistake, I don't see them giving up on Brody Colvin either.
With Joseph Being added, and Cameron Rupp already on the 40 man, Sebastian Valle's days in the organization may be ending by tomorrow.
Tyson Gillies is another name that's a big question mark for me, and I wouldn't be surprised to see one of Jeremy Horst, or Joe Savery let go as well.
But the wild card name to watch for a non tender today is Kevin Frandsen. With the minor league signing of Reid Brignac yesterday (timing is everything) along with Cesar Hernandez and Galvis on the roster, Frandsen's days may already be numbered. And while non tender decisions aren't due until December 2nd, if the Phillies want to try and keep a guy like Valle or Gillies through the winter meetings to use as a trade chip, non tendering Frandsen a week early is a creative way to protect another player on the roster in the meantime, without giving away one of those guys for nothing.
We'll keep you posted as the news breaks here, but in the mean time, feel free to discuss who YOU would keep or let go and why.