The deadline for the team to finalize their 40 man rosters as far as the Rule 5 Draft is concerned happens today and the Yankees have some decisions to make. Currently the Yankees 40 man roster sits at 36 players but that could easily be extended with a non-tender or DFA of Eury Perez, Zelous Wheeler, David Huff, or Esmil Rogers. The players New York has to protect this winter include Matt Tracy, Mark Montgomery, Cito Culver, Angelo Gumbs, Mason Williams, Kyle Roller, Danny Burawa, Tyler Austin, Branden Pinder, and Zach Nuding.
Personally I can see New York protecting Montgomery in hopes that he returns to his 2012 and 2013 form in the bullpen. Same can be said for Austin and Culver as I cannot imagine a scenario where these two are not protected. I truly believe New York will leave Tracy, Gumbs, Williams, Roller, Burawa, Pinder, and Nuding unprotected heading into the draft.
Tracy is far from major league ready and has struggled at Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton Wilkes Barre. The same can be said for Pinder and Nuding although Buraw is definitely on the line of needing to be protected or not. I think Burawa could be hidden in a bullpen much like Tommy Kahnle was last season in Colorado after being left unprotected. With the injuries and the depth ahead of them I cannot see Gumbs or Williams being protected and I also cannot see them being taken either.
Roller is an interesting aspect because he is old as far as prospects go but the guy has flat out hit as a career minor leaguer. There aren't many true first base backup players in the majors anymore as teams look for more versatility and flexibility in their roster construction but Roller could add a big power threat to a team like Miami's bench in 2015. I think he ultimately gets left unprotected and selected this December.
What say you?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)