Organizing the Offseason - To-Do-List: Rule V Eligible and Minor League FAs
Time to look at the Rule V and Minor League Free Agent portions of the offseason priority chart. You can see the full list of Rule V Eligible players and Minor League Free Agents by checking out the chart.Here are the players you should concern yourself with the Rule V Draft.
Absolute Locks or Close to It
These players are absolute locks to get rostered or ones who are pretty close to locks. They are simply too close to the Major Leagues and too talented to be exposed to the Rule V Draft.
Trevor Crowe, OF
Jordan Brown, 1B
Carlos Santana, C
Jeff Stevens, RP
Chris Gimenez, C
Frank Herrmann, P
Crowe and Stevens could make a major league impact next year. Santana is on the fast track to the majors but needs protection this year and Jordan Brown would surely be picked if he's exposed. Gimenez is a lock if he isn't traded. Herrmann isn't a lock, but he could probably be added.
In Question
These guys could get added, but might not be close enough for teams to take a chance on, not worth protecting, or in Lofgren's case, aren't on the radar anymore.
Chuck Lofgren, P
Kelvin De La Cruz, P
Hector Rondon, P
Randy Newsome, P
Neil Wagner, P
Ryan Edell, P
Stephen Head, 1b/OF
Joanniel Montero, P
Chuck Lofgren has simply fallen off the radar with his problems. He could get taken, but he'll probably be returned, but you never know. He isn't worth protecting after this year. Kelvin De La Cruz and Hector Rondon are the biggest names on the list. These two could get selected, Rondon more than De La Cruz because Rondon was in the future's game and his name is out there. Both are really young, but really talented and could be Santana/Soria type players taken, stashed in a bullpen and gone from there. Stephen Head, Randy Newsome, the rest are of value but probably wouldn't get taken. Head and Newsome are the most likeliest, but both should survive and be in Columbus next year.
The rest are not worth rostering, are too far down in the minors for a team to even consider, or will probably be let go if they don't re-sign as a MLFA.
Minor League Free Agents: Who Will Return?
Brian Slocum, P
J.D. Martin, P
Slocum is hurt, chances are likely he'll be back. JD Martin should be re-signed, he has some value.
Minor League Free Agents: Who Could Return?
Matt Whitney, 1B/3B
Niuman Romero, IF
Whitney could come back after being selected in Rule V and not working out and being familar with the club. Niuman Romero had a good year in Kinston and really could be back as well. The rest listed could be back, but they really are of no relevance at all. Guys like Nate Panther are just bacakups who won't catch on with any interest with other teams, and will simply be used to fill rosters if need be, maybe by the Indians, maybe by other teams. Or they are aging veterans like Morgan Ensberg.
Next: We're done with our chart for now... That's it.. Until we add more targets.. No more chart discussion.. I could run down the 40 man roster and tell you things, but I'm sure you understand by now.
- My sources tell me (the television) that Game 5 of the World Series will be played tonight.. That's going to be interesting.. I've got no news today.. Oh well.. Enjoy the World Series, it could be over tonight, at which point we count down to the 15 days when the Free Agent frenzy will HEAT UP!