TheHurl

We should call our "hottest Jay" our "preference list"

The kids need to learn to read. I was all ready to post that one as well.

Thursday is the Rule 5 draft and the Jays now have a spot open and according those that post here will lose like 40 players. So I started a thread on it. I don't actually think the Jays will make a selection but this is where Cistulli can shine. The 2018 MLB Rule 5 draft order: 1. Baltimore 2. Kansas City 3. Chicago White Sox 4. Miami (currently full roster) 5. Detroit 6. San Diego (full roster) 7. Cincinnati 8. Texas 9. San Francisco 10. Toronto 11. New York Mets 12. Minnesota 13. Philadelphia 14. Los Angeles Angels 15. Arizona 16. Washington 17. Pittsburgh (full roster) 18. St. Louis 19. Seattle 20. Atlanta (full roster) 21. Tampa Bay (full roster) 22. Colorado 23. Cleveland 24. Los Angeles Dodgers (full roster) 25. Chicago Cubs 26. Milwaukee 27. Oakland 28. New York Yankees (full roster) 29. Houston 30. Boston https://www.milb.com/milb/news/toolshed-2018-rule-5-draft-preview/c-301634300 By Sam Dykstra / MiLB.com | December 11, 2018 10:00 AM LAS VEGAS -- For anyone who's never seen the Rule 5 Draft in person, let's set the scene. This is nothing like the Rule 4 Draft (i.e. the First-Year Player Draft) that took place in June. There aren't cameras all around. There isn't a studio crew breaking down each pick for minutes at a time. The commissioner isn't around to announce each name or take a photo with the latest pick. There's no studio crowd. There's no studio at all. The Rule 5 Draft occurs in a convention ballroom early Thursday at the Winter Meetings. It's the last event on the calendar. (This year's event is scheduled for 9 a.m. PT in the Islander Ballroom at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, for those keeping score at home.) It's filled with mostly Major League front-office members scrambling in, coffees in hand, while members of their scouting or player-development departments walk to the microphone to announce each selection. It's a room with little fanfare. It's also the room where dreams become reality. In the Rule 5 Draft, eligible players are taken by participating organizations with the express intent on giving prospects real shots at making a Major League roster for a full season. If the player can't stick for a full season, he's offered back to his original club for $50,000, half of what a Rule 5 acquisition initially costs. Rule 5-eligible players are those signed at 19 or older who have played four seasons or more of pro ball or signed at 18 or younger and have played five seasons or more. The deadline to protect such players on the 40-man roster this year was on Nov. 20. A roundup of protected MLB.com ranked prospects can be found here. As for those still left unprotected, here's a breakdown of some of the bigger-named ranked prospects who could be chosen in the 2018 Rule 5 Draft: Richie Martin, shortstop, Athletics: This was one of the bigger unprotected shockers on Deadline Day. The A's took Martin out of the University of Florida with the 20th overall pick in 2015, and the 23-year-old shortstop was coming off his best offensive season yet, one in which he hit .300/.368/.439 with career highs in homers (six) and stolen bases (25) over 118 games with Double-A Midland. His 121 wRC+ ranked eighth among Texas League qualifiers. (A's coordinator of instruction Ed Sprague said an offseason move to contacts might have helped with his vision and his bat.) Martin is considered a plus defender at a premium position with good range and a plus arm. He also played some second base in 2018, showing much-needed versatility for a potential Rule 5 pick. A lack of a track record may have hurt Martin's chances in the A's eyes, considering Oakland's No. 12 prospect hadn't hit higher than .237 in his first three Minor League seasons. But Martin's defensive prowess and above-average speed could definitely be of use to a Major League club right away, and his bat improved enough to bring potential value as well. Any club in need of infield help should be giving Martin a long look Thursday. Josh Ockimey, first baseman, Red Sox: The No. 10 Red Sox prospect has been hailed as a potential power option in the middle of a lineup since he was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 Draft, and he took another step forward in that department by posting career highs in home runs (20) and slugging percentage (.455) between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket this season. However, he slugged just .398 and struck out in 35.2 percent of his plate appearances in 27 games at the Minors' highest level and then struggled even more so in the competitive Arizona Fall League, where he batted .172/.280/.250 with one homer in 18 contests. Put that together with the fact that Ockimey's glove and lack of speed anchors him to first base, and he wound up on the wrong side of the Rule 5 protection fence. Still, his pop from the left side could be useful in a Major League platoon, and he does have potential, should he make more regular contact. A club that sees that might be willing to give him a Major League shot a little early. Max Schrock, second baseman, Cardinals: There might not be a better pure hitter available in the Rule 5 Draft than the Cardinals' No. 11 prospect, a career .304 hitter over four seasons in the Nationals, A's and Cardinals systems. Statistically, he took a step back in 2018, batting just .249/.296/.331 with a 63 wRC+ in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, but dig deeper and there's still a lot to like about his offensive profile. The left-handed hitter struck out in only 7.9 percent of his plate appearances, third-lowest among 118 qualified Triple-A hitters. His .260 BABIP was second-lowest among the same group and much lower than his career mark of .319. The 2018 season was very much an outlier for him at the plate. With Schrock also playing third base and left field this past season, he could be of use to a club looking for an immediate utilityman who might turn out to be even more than that if he brings his pre-2017 bat to the Majors. Dom Nunez, catcher, Rockies/Ali Sanchez, catcher, Mets: Backup catchers who can bring value defensively usually have a place in the Rule 5 Draft, and these two would seemingly fit the bill. Nunez is the more experienced of the two, having played two straight seasons at Double-A Hartford, and is coming off a season in which he threw out 38 percent of attempted basestealers in the Eastern League. However, Colorado's No. 27 prospect went unprotected last year as well and was unpicked in part because of his bat -- a tool that didn't improve in 2018. Sanchez was further away this year, splitting time between Class A Columbia and Class A Advanced St. Lucie, but he may have even better defensive tools than Nunez. Sanchez caught 41.9 percent of attempted basestealers in 2018, and his receiving skills are considered to be plus. With front offices placing higher values on framing, New York's 23rd-ranked prospect could be of use right away behind the plate, even if his bat isn't quite up to snuff just yet (.294 OBP, .681 OPS in 2018). Riley Ferrell, right-handed pitcher, Astros: Back on June 27 -- the day Ferrell was promoted from Double-A Corpus Christi to Triple-A Fresno -- it definitely looked like Houston's No. 17 prospect would be a lock for Rule 5 protection, if not a Major League debut in the second half. The 25-year-old right-hander posted a 1.90 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings, overcoming control issues in which he walked 17.3 percent of batters he faced. That wild side caught up to him in the Pacific Coast League, however, where Ferrell posted a 6.75 ERA, a 1.79 WHIP and 16 walks in 28 innings. Still between both spots, Ferrell fanned 67 batters in 51 2/3 innings (or 28.5 percent), thanks to a plus fastball that sits in the mid-90s and a plus slider. A Ferrell pick gambles that the Major League club can corral that stuff and help Ferrell find the zone with more regularity. If he can, he's got the pitches to be a late-inning weapon quickly. Tyler Jay, left-handed pitcher, Twins: At No. 6 overall, Jay is the highest eligible player from the 2015 Draft to go unprotected. Of course, a lot has happened since then. The Twins initially took the University of Illinois left-hander with the dream of converting him from a reliever to a full-fledged starting pitcher on the strength of his four-pitch mix. Three-plus years later, Jay has yet to pitch more than 83 2/3 innings in a Minor League season -- neck and shoulder injuries played their part -- and was back to being a full-time reliever this year at Double-A Chattanooga. He posted a 4.22 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 20 walks in 59 2/3 innings with the Lookouts -- mediocre numbers at best. There's still the off chance an organization in need of left-handed bullpen help could be willing to take a cheap look at Jay. Minnesota's No. 22 prospect can still throw in the mid-90s, and his slider can be above-average at times. Spencer Adams, right-handed pitcher, White Sox: On stuff alone, Adams might not get in here the way baseball used to operate. The No. 26 White Sox prospect doesn't have a true plus pitch and throws around 90 mph with his fastball. Control might be the best skill on his scouting report. That led to very few missed bats in 2018 as the 22-year-old fanned only 95 over 159 innings between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. However, he did put up solid traditional stats, like a 3.19 ERA in 90 1/3 innings at the Minors' highest level. Adams' stuff might be more hittable the more a batter sees him. In fact, first-inning hitters batted just .212 against him in the International League while that jumped to .339 in the third. However with his pitchability, he could handle turning over a Major League lineup once or twice. That might make him perfect for a club looking for a long man to come out of the bullpen following what's been called "the opener." Adams' lack of K's makes him a severe dark horse Thursday, but if his name does get called, this type of role could be a big reason why. Junior Fernandez, right-handed pitcher, Cardinals: Who doesn't love a heater? Fernandez has one of the best available in the Rule 5 Draft. MLB.com grades it as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale, and he earns that mark by hitting the upper-90s with regularity. His changeup also can be a weapon, though St. Louis' 14th-ranked prospect lacks the quality third pitch to make starting pitching a real option. He went unprotected in part because of control issues (18 walks in 30 2/3 innings overall), general production (5.14 ERA in 16 appearances at Double-A) and arm health issues. But the stuff is too good to be ignored in a Draft with a history of favoring high-octane potential relievers.

I love fans reactions to non-moves in December.

The​ last​ time​ White​ Sox​ owner​ Jerry Reinsdorf​ acted out​ of​ character the way​ he​ would if he​ signed​​ Bryce Harper was in November 1996. Reinsdorf, a longtime advocate of fiscal restraint and one of the most hawkish owners during the 1994-95 players’ strike, stunned the baseball industry with his signing of free agent Albert Belle to a five-year, $55 million contract. “For Jerry Reinsdorf, who’s been a proponent of all the things he’s been a proponent of, to walk up to the podium and bust the market, I think that says something there,” said John Hart, who was then the general manager of the Indians, Belle’s prior club. Reinsdorf, who was cited by arbitrator George Nicolau as a central figure in baseball’s collusion conspiracy in 1985-87, defended the Belle deal by saying, “It is perfectly fiscally responsible to give him this money . . . We have an obligation to our fans to try to win.” More than two decades later, the same obligation exists, only the urgency is greater. Reinsdorf is 82. He has presided over six straight losing seasons. And the White Sox – with a new local TV deal coming and minimal payroll commitments in the future – are perfectly positioned to make a run at Harper or the other prized 26-year-old free agent, shortstop Manny Machado. Harper appears to be their preference – both general manager Rick Hahn and executive vice-president Ken Williams are said to be intrigued by the possibility of signing him. The particulars of the TV deal are not known, but it’s expected one will be in place for the White Sox after the 2019 season with Reinsdorf’s other team, the NBA Bulls, and their United Center partner, the NHL Blackhawks. By signing Harper, the White Sox would gain a star for their new network, score a coup in their perennial battle for attention with the crosstown Cubs and accelerate their rebuilding program, presuming they also made other strategic additions. Everything adds up, except for one thing: This is not a Jerry Reinsdorf type of move. The biggest contract in White Sox history is the six-year, $68 million deal the team awarded first baseman Jose Abreu in October 2013. The Cubs, in contrast, have three $100 million deals on their current roster – Jason Heyward, Jon Lester and Yu Darvish. Reinsdorf also is not a natural ally of Harper’s agent, Scott Boras – the two have sparred at times in the past, though it did not stop the White Sox from making left-hander Carlos Rodon the third overall pick in the 2014 draft and signing him for $6.582 million. Finally, the kind of deal Harper likely would want – one with multiple opt-outs in the early years – might be counter-productive for a White Sox team that would not want to lose its marquee addition just as it was ready to mature into a legitimate contender. Then again, money conquers all in free agency – see former Boras client Alex Rodriguez, who signed for $252 million with the Rangers when they were coming off a 71-win season, and averaged only 72 wins in his three years with the club. With a monster offer, perhaps the White Sox would persuade Harper to delay his opt-out and make a longer commitment. Reinsdorf privately has expressed doubt his team will actually win the bidding for Harper or Machado, according to a source with knowledge of his thinking. But even with the White Sox at least a year away from contention, he is not stopping his front office from engaging in the pursuit of the two stars, and the possibility of a marriage with Harper seemingly is growing more realistic. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Nationals owner Mark Lerner all but bowed out of the Harper sweepstakes in recent days, though Nats GM Mike Rizzo did not rule out resuming negotiations. The Cubs and Cardinals are among the other teams not engaged in a pursuit of Harper, according to sources. The Dodgers certainly could play on Harper, and the Phillies are in the mix, though they also are believed to be competing against the Yankees for Machado. Other teams almost certainly are involved with Harper as well. But none – repeat, none – is in as flexible position with its payroll as the White Sox. The team’s commitments for 2019, including arbitration-eligible and 0-to-3 year players, amount to just $53.575 million, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts. The number further decreases to a jaw-dropping $5.75 million in ‘20, with shortstop Tim Anderson and reliever Nate Jones the only players under contract. Anderson is the only player signed for ‘21 and ‘22. The White Sox clearly could afford Harper as well as a number of lesser additions, and who knows what they might accomplish in the feeble AL Central if they put such a master plan together? The Indians, who already are losing free-agent outfielder Michael Brantley and relievers Andrew Miller and Cody Allen, are talking about trading one of their two best starting pitchers, Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer. The Twins face major questions coming off a 78-win season. The Royals and Tigers are rebuilding. The opening for the White Sox is clear, if they choose to embark upon a new era. The central question remains, Would Reinsdorf really sign Bryce Harper? But perhaps the better question is, How could he not?

I understand doing Tulo a favour, it's a nice touch actually. The Diaz move makes even less sense now though.

I wish I had more powers here. Gurribabip would be changed to 7 foot, 150 lbs. or something like that.

I don't think we'll ever agree about AA. However I give AA credit for the risks he took. I think he got lucky in 2015 but regardless it set up the team well for the 2016 run. In the same situation I would have "went for it" too. Writing was on the wall for him and it probably is what got him the Braves job.

Not everyone hates veterans like you. The guy hasn't been a negative defender in his life.

someone is upset that his best looking Jay is gone

At near min salary is there a contender that adds Tulo? I mean the Braves are the obvious one.

sorry correct. Now at 38. Still feel like something happens this week. Next guy off the roster? Drake, Maile or Pompey?

Luck?

Jays were at 40 men exactly without too much to drop that isn't a potential asset. Might mean that they have a signing ready or a trade.

$5M for the next 12 years in Rogers stock options

And the other way is starting to look better at least. Alvarez in Mexico Disco barely over replacement in 21 starts last year Yunel retired? Hech, might play on every team in the majors before he is done as a 25th man bench piece Marisnick 4th OF extraordinaire not sure if Houston offered him arb Mathis - only player in the deal with a guaranteed 2020 deal...that seems f***ed up to me. Nicolino - Considering Asia Hoffman - suxxx has one more option and probably only has a shot as a reliever Castro - Might be the O's best pitcher. hard to believe this deal was actually short term loss (hit $100M in year 2 of the deal) but not one player sustained anything.

Making the upcoming Machado signing even more expensive

Except for Dickerson sacrificed power to cut down his K's. Andujar has shown (even on the road) that he can make contact and hard contact. I don't see him as much more than a 120 wRC+ guy and Eddie Rosario is a pretty good comp for him...but 5 years of Eddie Rosario is really nice to have.

considering it's Syndergaard's former agent trading him, I would be a little nervous as well. I think Andujar could eventually be tried out in RF as well. He's got a huge arm. But for the Marlins he'll be 3B for a few years regardless and they can hope his footwork improves.

Forrest Whitley just threw 110 (running throw of course)

Nova has a history of good first halfs. He could still be moved again for the White Sox. $9.2M in his last year of his contract pretty much he isn't going to have great prospect value IMO

Oh Chuck Lamar was my fave. Gave me my first Rays gear.

because poor Bryce Harper has no swimmers. It's just mean to talk about children he can never have. I'm kidding he's Bryce f***ing Harper he could probably impregnate a man from 50 paces. Honestly I am confused by it all.

I understand that MLB contracts are insured in 3 year stretches and I've heard the Jays don't take insurance so even if he negotiated it with Colorado he likely isn't insured anymore. Insurance on contracts for players over 30 is around 15% of their salary in annual dues...so I would say that very few contracts these days are insured. Also insurance doesn't cover existing injuries. With Tulo that could be everything. Jays are likely on the hook for Tulo regardless.