Rule 5 Draft is Approaching- Who’s on the Bubble?

The Rule 5 Draft for 2012 will be on December 6th, so the Dodgers and all other MLB teams must set their 40-man rosters by November 20th. As of right now, the Dodgers have 36 players already on the 40-man roster, but they will want to save a spot for the potential and probable signing of Ryu Hyun-Jin. They also may want to free up a slot or two for any free agents they are looking to sign. That means that some of the players currently taking up a valuable slot might get the boot. It doesn’t mean that they will for sure be claimed in the draft, but they will be left susceptible.

The entire Dodger fan base would like nothing more than to see Juan Uribe designated for assignment. But alas, he will be most likely wasting a roster spot yet again this season. The only silver lining is that it is finally the last year of this downright failure of a contract.

May 17, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Elian Herrera (left) and shortstop Justin Sellers sit in the dugout before a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Justin Sellers is the player who may most likely be removed from the 40-man roster if needed. After making the Opening Day team over other players like Luis Cruz, Sellers was lost for the season after injuring his back on a highlight reel play when he fell over the rail making a catch at Dodger Stadium early in the season. He has since underwent back surgery. Even though I like Justin Sellers, and I feel that his defense is solid, he hasn’t proven that he can perform offensively at the big league level. Although he has only played in 55 Major League games. Even so, it is unlikely another team will grab Sellers in the Rule 5 Draft because of his injury history.

Elian Herrera could be a possible victim to the roster axe, but like Sellers it would be doubtful that another team would take him. Remember, in the Rule 5 Draft rules the player must be remain on the team’s Major League roster for the entirety of the season or they have to be offered back to the originating team.

The Dodgers will also have to consider who they will protect from the Rule 5 Draft. Any player drafted out of college in 2009 or earlier or any high school player drafted in 2008 or prior is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.

Here’s a list of Rule 5 Draft eligible players in the Dodger system:

Pitchers

Steve Ames (RHP)

Matt Magill (RHP)

Aaron Miller (LHP)

Andres Santiago (RHP)

Michael Antonini (LHP)

Javier Solano (RHP)

Jose Dominguez (RHP)

Cole St. Clair (LHP)

Juan Rodriguez (RHP)

Steve Smith (RHP)

John Michael Redding (RHP)

Jordan Roberts (LHP)

Greg Wilborn (LHP)

Carlos Frias (RHP)

Position Players

Tony Gwynn Jr. (OF)

Pedro Baez (3B)

Brian Cavazos-Galvez (OF)

Angelo Songco (1B)

J.T. Wise (C)

Rafael Ynoa (2B)

Alfredo Silverio (OF)

Kyle Russell (OF)

Blake Smith (OF)

Gorman Erickson (C)

Nick Akins (OF)

Austin Gallagher (1B)

Michael Pericht (C)

Casio Grider (SS/2B)

Nick Buss (OF)

Chris Jacobs (1B)

Pedro Guerrero (IF)

Matt Wallach (C)

Ozzie Martinez (SS)

Bladimir Franco (3B)

Most of these players are nowhere near Major League ready, yet a few of them are

Tony Gwynn Jr.’s future with the Dodgers is still unknown. Photo: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

worth protecting. Tony Gwynn Jr. could be valuable to the Dodgers as a fourth outfielder since both Carl Crawford and Matt Kemp are both coming off of major surgery. Ned Colletti has repeatedly cited his desire to obtain another outfielder who is able to play center field. If the Dodgers aren’t able to sign said outfielder via free agency, Gwynn is still under contract.

Griff Erickson is a switch-hitting catcher who had a disappointing season in AA-Chattanooga last year. Yet the Dodgers are relatively thin when it comes to catching prospects, and Erickson was once thought to be a viable prospect.

The Dodgers may add Michael Antonini to the 40-man roster. Photo: Jennifer Hilderbrand-US PRESSWIRE

Rafael Ynoa had an impressive Arizona Fall League showing, and another team could use him as a backup infielder.

Matt Magill, Steve Ames, and Michael Antonini are also possible roster additions for the Dodgers. Magill would certainly draw interest from other teams, and the Dodgers would probably like to retain him.

Who do you think the Dodgers will add or subtract from the 40-man roster in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft? Tell us in the comments section.