Rule V

Bill Sadler

Both BA and John have mentioned Bill Sadler, a RH reliever in the Giants organization. 24 yo. 6-5. 3.31, 84.1 IP, 81 K's, 33 BB's last year with AA Norwich. He has a mid 90's fastball. I saw him pitch in 2004 in relief of Matt Cain when they were both with San Jose. At least on that night, Sadler's fastball looked like it had more pop although I didn't see any radar gun readings.

Another sleeper for some team looking for cheap relief pitching would be Joe Bateman, a 25 yo sidearming reliever who closed for San Jose last year.

by DrBGiantsfan on Dec 4, 2005 7:07 AM EST reply actions

Oh my God!!!

You spelled it "Rule V" instead of "Rule 5." There are some extremely anal people around here now looking for a bridge to jump off so the sound of nails across a chalkboard will be over for once and for all.

"Second guessers are guys that could have never gotten it right the first time." - Tommy Lasorda (for guys that have no other defense for their actions.)

by slurve on Dec 4, 2005 10:34 AM EST reply actions

Yeah

I still don't get what the deal is with that... is that like saying Super Bowl 40 instead of Super Bowl XL?

by sasquatch83 on Dec 4, 2005 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

The Deal

The deal is in the rule book it is the rule number "5". There are no roman numerals so calling it "v" is technically incorrect. It's like saying "amendment I guarantees my right to free speech." However, in the case of the rule 5 draft it is so important to use the correct terminology that no one makes this mistake.

by DeisJJ on Dec 4, 2005 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

No one

Aside from masses of fans, sportswriters, etc...
Get over it. Everyone knows what is meant by "Rule V" just as with "Rule 5" or "Rule Five". Hell, you could call it the "Rule Fi5e" and people would know what you meant.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Dec 4, 2005 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

Oh

And FWIW, it's:
"Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. "
So probably not the best example.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Dec 4, 2005 12:49 PM EST up reply actions

Isn't this blog

supposed to be fun? A little slang here or there is not a big deal.

Unless, this is all a guise for the true meaning of this website - coming up with a plan so tomorrow, we take over the world! (insert maniacal laugh here)

by akk99 on Dec 4, 2005 4:27 PM EST up reply actions

at the time, i thought Rule V looked cooler..

but now that i think about it, it reminds me of the 80's alien show "V", and that show always creeped me out.. sorry if i offended anyone

by ufo on Dec 4, 2005 6:03 PM EST up reply actions

God

I hope this post is tongue in cheek. Otherwise, can send you lump of coal and a tube of astroglide so you can turn it into a diamond for me?

"Second guessers are guys that could have never gotten it right the first time." - Tommy Lasorda (for guys that have no other defense for their actions.)

by slurve on Dec 4, 2005 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

Its spelled...

Rule 5. "5" as in the number F-I-V-E.

by templeUsox on Dec 4, 2005 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

Looks like

another diamond factory...

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Dec 4, 2005 6:15 PM EST up reply actions

Ha! Ha!

RULE V

Rule V
Rule V
Rule V

Take it you it you anal s.o.b.s!!!!

Rule V
Rule V
Rule V

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV VVVVVVVVVVVV.

"Second guessers are guys that could have never gotten it right the first time." - Tommy Lasorda (for guys that have no other defense for their actions.)

by slurve on Dec 4, 2005 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

I thought this post was about players

I am interested in the players the Twins might lose to Rule 5 (V). Nick Blackburn? Jason Miller? Beau Kemp? All had very good years last year and could be that 11th guy on someone's staff.

cmathewson

by cmathewson on Dec 4, 2005 1:50 PM EST reply actions

twins rule 5 players...

Blackburn- control pitcher, not much upside, isn't that young....most likely little future in the twins system.

Jason Miller- decent reliever, struggled at AAA, like Blackburn. He might get a look, but not a huge prize.

Beau Kemp- fringe player....could float btwn minors and pros.

None of these guys have that big time upside you might look for, or take a gamble on. I don't see honestly why any team would take a flyer on them.

by hotshotschamp on Dec 4, 2005 2:30 PM EST reply actions

Davis Romero

A lot of teams should take a look at this kid out of the Toronto system in the Rule Veee draft. He could be carried as a mop up lefty out of the pen.

by tbac on Dec 4, 2005 3:34 PM EST reply actions

A question about Rule 5...

Hello everyone,

If a team's 40-man roster is full, can a team take a player in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft and then shift another player off the 40-man roster at that instant or around that time period or does the 40-man roster have to have free space before the draft even begins?

Just curious.

Take care and have a great day!

by indiansfan on Dec 4, 2005 8:56 PM EST reply actions

Answer

There has to be an available spot. If a team has 40 players protected then they cannot take any players in the Rule 5 draft.

Most teams protect 38-39 or so for the flexibility to take a player.

by mckeeno on Dec 4, 2005 11:03 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks!

Hello mckeeno,

Thanks for the info. I wondered because the Indians had 39 slots, but just signed Paul Byrd, who will be put on the 40-man roster, so in essence, they have 40 slots filled and won't be participating in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft (they could still participate in the Minor League portion, like they have the last few years.)

Thanks again for the info. - greatly appreciated!

Take care and have a good day!

by indiansfan on Dec 5, 2005 12:18 AM EST up reply actions

Tribe

They may drop someone to add Byrd in order to keep a roster spot open.

by rhd on Dec 5, 2005 12:42 AM EST up reply actions

Who do you think that might be?

Hello rhd,

I was wondering, who do you think they might drop? I had thought of that also, but I don't know if they would be willing to remove one of their Minor Leaguers who they had initially decided to protect in fear of losing him, specifically

RHP Jose Diaz
RHP Sean Douglass (was signed as Minor-League Free Agent about a month ago.)
RHP Edward Mujica
LHP Rafael Perez
RHP Brian Slocum
1B Michael Aubrey
OF Brad Snyder

A Major Leaguer with experience is exposed to waivers, isn't he?

If so, maybe 1B Ben Broussard would be that choice (I wouldn't mind that - I don't see him becoming an everyday hitter - he barely is average over there. I think Garko can replace his production right now.)

1B Michael Aubrey might be another possibility because of his recurring, and possibly, chronic back problems. But, if anyone can find a cure for those back problems, they might have a good Major Leaguer on their hands. Plus, Mulhern has already been exposed, leaving only Garko, and eventually, Head as the only 2 first basemen left (if both Mulhern and Aubrey are taken,) and there's still some questions on Garko's defense over at 1B.

I suppose players like LHP Jason Stanford (who had legal troubles recently,) RHP Kazuhito Tadano, and LHP Brian Tallet could be dropped (likelier to be Stanford or Tadano; I think Tallet could eventually be a future lefty out of the bullpen; Stanford is coming off Tommy John and had legal trouble; Tadano, not sure whether he is a starter or a reliever.)

INF Brandon Phillips and OF Jason Dubois could be dropped also, but I'd think that Phillips could still net something in a trade. Dubois might be likelier, since he might take forever to develop, and probably won't be a star. I think the Indians have better options in Gutierrez and Snyder for the future, plus could probably sign a Minor Leaguer to fill that fourth outfield spot or have Blake fill that role if they sign Reggie Sanders or Richard Hidalgo.

So, yes, I could see someone drop off the 40-man roster to make room for Byrd and keep a roster spot open - I think there are some interesting picks this year, including a couple of SF bullpen pitching prospects and a couple of TB infielder prospects that have some decent bats and good speed off the bench, among other possibilities.

Any thoughts?

Thanks for bringing up that point - it's certainly a good point.

Take care and have a great day!

by indiansfan on Dec 5, 2005 1:11 AM EST up reply actions

Reply

Indiansfan,

I have no idea who the Indians may drop. I merely pointed out that they might do so to free up a roster spot for the Rule 5 draft. Perhaps they'll stand pat and wont drop anyone.

by rhd on Dec 5, 2005 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

Actually, you're right!

Hello rhd,

You're right - Sean Douglass, who the Tribe just picked up off waivers from the Tigers about a month ago, was let go so that he could pursue a roster spot with the Hiroshima Carp of the Japanese Professional Baseball League. Ironically, the new manager of the Carp is former Indians' AAA manager Marty Brown.

Therefore, the 40-man roster drops back down to 39, but of course, the Indians could sign another free agent before Thursday - we'll have to wait and see. For the moment, however, the Indians can officially draft someone from the Rule 5 Draft if they choose to do so.

Take care and have a good day!

by indiansfan on Dec 6, 2005 1:16 AM EST up reply actions

I'm not so sure

As far as I knew, there was a deadline for ADDING players to the 40 man roster.. but you can still drop players at any time...

I think there needs to be some clarification here, but i'm too lazy to go look it up..

by cincyinco on Dec 5, 2005 8:00 PM EST up reply actions

Rule 5 possibilities

Some available players that look worthwhile are Sing, Anthony Webster, Mitch Maier and Jarred Ball. Also, someone might be interested in Vince Sinisi. Maybe Ryan Mulhern also. I would think Jaso would draw a lot of interest because as a backup C, a team really wouldnt have to waste a roster spot to keep him. Chance Douglass looks good if anyone wants a starter. But teams might select more relievers than any other position. I really dont know much if anything about the relievers BA had on its list.

by rhd on Dec 4, 2005 10:41 PM EST reply actions

EJ

Two other D-Rays besides Jaso might be easy enough to stash - Jason Pridie (CF) and Elliot Johnson (2B). Both are guys who could easily be used as pinch-runners and late innings defensive replacements, and both have pretty high upsides. I'd be sad to see them get taken, but under the right cirsumstances, I could see them sticking with a team for the season. As far as catchers go, Lou Palmisano is another guy who (I believe) is available but hasn't been mentioned much...

by Brickhaus on Dec 4, 2005 11:05 PM EST reply actions

Davis Romero

I'm incredibly surprised that Davis Romero from the Blue Jays system wasn't mentioned in BA's preview. From a statistical point of view, he's very similar to Andy Sisco, except that he allows a little more than half as many walks. I understand that there's extra doubt about him because he's like half Sisco's size (5'10" 140 lbs versus 6'9" 250 lbs), but a lefty who puts up numbers like that is definitely worth the spot.

by amol on Dec 5, 2005 10:26 AM EST reply actions

Rotoworld's picks

Matt Pouliot of RotoWorld has posted his Rule 5 preview, in which he critiques many of the available players' chances of being selected. Link:

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/column.asp?sport=MLB&column=14

Here are the ones he lists as having at least a 25% chance of being selected:

K. Howard (Phi) - 80%
B. Sing (CHC) - 60%
R. Rodriguez (LAA) - 40%
A. Boeve (Pit) - 30%
K. Kouzmanoff (Cle) - 30%
M. Megrew (LAD) - 30%
B. Sadler (SF) - 30%
D. Romero (Tor) - 30%
D. Thayer (SD) - 30%
B. Petrick (CHC) - 25%
J. Ball (Ari) - 25%

Interestingly, 5 of the 11 players above are position players, 3 are starting pitchers and only 3 are relievers.

He lists Jaso's chances at 10%, saying he's too raw defensively. For the other players in my previous post, he gives their chances as follows: M. Maier 20%, V. Sinisi 20%, R. Mulhern 20%, A. Webster 15%. He doesnt even list C. Douglas, for some reason.

by rhd on Dec 5, 2005 12:59 PM EST reply actions