Winter 2019-20 Roster Moves / Rule 5 Draft Discussion

[julio]

And Pivetta?

Yes, Pivetta has one option remaining. I just skipped over him for some reason.

[zambonir]

Well that may or may not be prescient

[andyb]

On the bright side, maybe we have a good pitching coach now. It sure changes things if Pivetta and Velasquez become decent pitchers.

[zambonir]

Velasquez is on his fourth pitching coach (counting Houston), what's gonna change? Pivetta was less of a finished product who maybe had a setback. For sure, you never know, but this is not a season where we get to wait and see what they have. Assuming Klentak is as aggressive we think he'll be Pivetta is either looking at the bullpen, the minors or a trade, and VV is bullpen/6th starter. Not that I think Eflin's spot is sacrosanct but it's his to lose, and eventually roster space will tighten again.

[andyb]

Firing up this thread again. Apparently the rule 5 roster deadline is Wednesday at 8 ET. This seems a bit earlier in the past.

Roster is at 35. JoJo Romero is probably the one certain addition. Possibles include Llovera, Marchan, maybe a reliever (Gilbert?). It is really tough to find players that should be added this year. And we have a couple of slots on the 40 (Gamboa) that could be sacrificed if they need a spot.

Looks like they will add 2-3 at most and go into the winter meetings with a spot or two available for a rule 5 pick this year.

[julio]

Not earlier than last year. The winter roster deadline is set in the MLB Rules (Rule2(a)(1)). Under the rule, it could be set earlier than November 20, but not later. In practice, they've only set it earlier when the 20th falls on a non-business day.

If it seems earlier than in past years... because things in general seem to be coming up faster than in the past?... well, there's an explanation for that, too - but you don't want to hear it!

[allentown]

I'd add Llovera and Marchan. I'd drop Gamboa.

[zambonir]

Another reason it may seem early is because the market has become so slow. I feel like in the past it was more common to go into the winter meetings with a set roster that already had 2-4 new players (between trades, free agents and waiver claims), even if some of them didn't stick around. I guess we could see some action in the next 36 hours. Also they still have spots that will open if they non-tender or trade. They could easily set a full 40-man roster Wednesday knowing that at least one of Franco or Hernandez wouldn't be on it by the actual draft.

[Squire]

Phillies added

LHP Jojo Romero
RHP Mauricio Llovera
LHP Garrett Cleavenger

And traded INF Curtis Mead to Tampa for LHP Cristopher Sanchez and added him to the 40

[nycphils]

Squire, thoughts on Sanchez? Not listed as a Top 30 prospect for TB on MLB.com

[allentown]

Curtis Mead -- 18 year old product of our Australian program, who increased his OPS to .813 at GCL this year. A good-sized right-handed 2B. I was surprised Cleavinger added to 40-man. Cleavinger has tons of Ks,, but way too many walks. Surprised Marchan not added. I think we will lose him. Sanchez has very interesting stats: quite a lot of Ks, but with a low walk rate.

[fish]

Sanchez is a strong and lean looking tall lefty. Easy delivery to throw in the mid-90s, hides the ball well. Decent control of the fastball, not as much command. Slider flashes plus but as far as I can see most of the time he doesn’t command it and the shape/break was below average.

[zambonir]

I guess this has already been discussed, and they likely won't be lost or missed, but still worth noting: Cornelius Randolph and Jhailyn Ortiz both unprotected, which also kind of closes the books on Amaro's final year

[Squire]

It seems to me that in the recent years the teams have drifted back to the traditional Rule 5 draft philosophy of taking a guy who might actually help a 25 man roster rather than taking a younger prospect and trying to hide him for a year. At least that seems like the last several drafts have gone to me. So I don't think we are in danger of losing of losing younger Marchan and Ortiz, etc.

[phillychuck]

Only guys I'd worry about losing are Marchan and Hall. Some organization may love Hall's power. Marchan has no power, but gets on base and is capable defensively.

Brito was someone the organization loved, but never produced actual results on the field.

Ortiz is a "first-round" equivalent internationally, and Randolph, of course, is an actual first-rounder. Guys with that pedigree don't go unprotected often, but they have not shown any real promise in the minors.

Not risking losing lots of potential MLB players I'd think.

[andyb]

Marchan did make the BA list of interesting rule 5 names but I think I generally agree that he is less likely to stick with another team even if he did get picked.

On Cleavinger, Matt Winkelman noted his velocity ticked up in August to the mid to upper 90s range. Clearly the Phillies wanted a couple of lefties that throw hard here. I would also guess that there is some chance guys like Cleavinger and Sanchez don't make it through the winter though Gamboa and probably Herrera are spots that will be cleared before them.

We clearly are trying to build up our velocity in the bullpen which had to be among the lowest in baseball last season. Note Stock also was a play on a pitcher with velocity but lacking in command.

[BostonRoss]

Are rosters expanding to 26 next year? That could mean some teams might make Rule 5 picks they wouldn’t have in past years.

[andyb]

Yes. 26 with a 13 pitcher limit. Since most teams went with 13 pitchers last year I imagine that extra spot will go to a bench player. Position prospects that can at least be defensive subs probably have a little more chance to be selected now. That would be the Marchan scenario though catchers are a bit different since it is still tough to carry 3. That backup catcher generally starts 40 games and it is hard to know if teams see Marchan as ready for that.

[andyb]

Fangraphs with a little more on Sanchez and Mead here:

On 40-Man Decision Day and the Prospects Who Moved

[Austinfan]

Aparico makes Marchan expendable, he's considered one of our top hitting prospects.
Doubt anyone picks up Marchan, he has shown zero power, and is probably a few years from adding enough strength to be a credible ML hitter for a catcher.