Guess The 40-Man Roster Additions

by Al Yellon on Nov 20, 2009 8:15 PM CST in Chicago Cubs News

10:59 pm CST tonight is the deadline for teams to fill out their 40-man rosters with players they want to protect from the Rule 5 draft next month.

With the trade of Aaron Heilman yesterday, the Cubs' 40-man roster stands at 33 players -- so they've got plenty of room to add players they want to protect. This article from the Atlanta Braves website gives some details on how this process works and also about some other upcoming deadlines.

The number of players added by tonight may also give us a clue as to upcoming trades or free-agent signings -- if the Cubs don't fill out the roster to the full 40-man limit, it may presage some acquisitions.

Post your guesses as to who the Cubs might add to the 40-man roster (or who -- cough Neal Cotts cough -- might be removed). Once the Cubs post the full list, I'll update this post, either later today or tomorrow.

UPDATE: From the press release today:

The Chicago Cubs today added five players to the 40-man roster, including left-handed pitcher John Gaub, right-handed pitchers Rafael Dolis and Blake Parker, catcher Welington Castillo and outfielder James Adduci. Chicago's 40-man roster now stands at 38.

Gaub and Parker are no surprise, as they were in the Arizona Fall League and expected to be in the mix for the 2010 bullpen. There are two open spots; this could portend a trade, a free-agent signing or possibly a Rule 5 pick the Cubs have their eyes on. Stay tuned.

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Comments

keep cotts - and

give him another roster spot too – he’s going to be worth it!

by doofus cubs guy on Nov 20, 2009 3:20 PM CST reply actions

Must be Cotts' agent.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 20, 2009 3:34 PM CST up reply actions

I am too tired to figure out who NEEDS protecting

Vitters was draftd in 07 so he doesn’t and I am just not sure about a lot of guys.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Nov 20, 2009 3:23 PM CST reply actions

Why not leave it at 39, like last year?

He may never amount to anything in MLB, but I don’t understand the concept of letting your 2005 2nd rounder, who had proceeded to rip right through A-ball while displaying control problems, walk away…. while leaving a roster spot vacant.

Seriously, though -

Michael Brenly
Jeremy Papelbon
Mark Pawelek? (I suppose, if there are spots open. But losing him won’t create the same bewilderment Veal did last year.)

When did we sign Starlin Castro? Probably 06 or 07, so no need yet.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Nov 20, 2009 3:36 PM CST reply actions

Michael Brenly doesn't have to be protected, either.

He was drafted in 2008.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 20, 2009 3:55 PM CST up reply actions

Do you or anyone else mind...

listing some of the players in this discussion?

by Kansas25 on Nov 20, 2009 5:01 PM CST up reply actions

go to

thecubreporter and check out AzPhil’s list on the right sidebar. That’s the most comprehensive list out there.

by toonsterwu on Nov 20, 2009 5:08 PM CST up reply actions

Michael Brenly?

No one’s going to keep him on an MLB roster for a whole year, so I’d forget about him.

by TheGrinch13 on Nov 20, 2009 5:29 PM CST up reply actions

Hahahaha...

Watch em drop Patton.

Come visit me inside Wrigley along the Addison side mezzanine fence straight up from 1st base.

by section229beer on Nov 20, 2009 4:32 PM CST reply actions

I think

guys that will be added to the 40: John Gaub, Blake Parker, Rafael Dolis, Welington Castillo

Maybe another guy, but I think we leave a space or two open for FA’s. Those 4 likely need to be protected, though.

by toonsterwu on Nov 20, 2009 4:56 PM CST reply actions

Who's eligible?

Is it based on the year when a player was drafted? What’s the cliffnotes version on how it works?

by kanderber on Nov 20, 2009 5:38 PM CST reply actions

Add and drop these

Candidates to be dropped:
1. Drop David Patton from the roster and give him back to whoever he came from. Send along a bill with him for all of the runs he gave up this year.
2. Neal Cotts. Enough said there.
3. Aaron Miles. If we put a pair of those black thick glasses with the big nose on them, maybe we can sneak him with someone else in a trade. Another great 2008 offseason move here.
4. Milton Bradley. Replace him on the roster for whatever useless player we get in return for him.

Candidates to be added:
1. Chris Robinson (C, AAA, If the Cubs trade Fox, as I’m guessing they will for no reason this offseason) they’ll need another catcher.
2. Matt Camp (OF, AAA).
3. Blake Parker (RHP, AAA).
4. James Adduci (OF, AA).

by TheGrinch13 on Nov 20, 2009 5:49 PM CST reply actions

One more

I forgot to add John Gaub, who should have been a cheap lefty for us before the ridiculous John Grabow signing (overpaying again). The 2009-2010 offseason is starting out as great as last year’s. I can’t wait to see what great moves are made next!!!

by TheGrinch13 on Nov 20, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

Why do we need a new catcher?

Koyie is signed through this year, is more than adequate for the backup role

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on Nov 23, 2009 10:12 AM CST up reply actions

Catchers get worn down and hurt. It's the most demanding position on a daily basis.

Two catchers is not enough for a pro ball club. Jake Fox is not a catcher. Wellington Castillo is not replacing Koyie Hill. Although Paul Bako is available, I don’t think he’ll be back (again).

We’re looking here at the backup’s backup. Therefore, it makes sense to protect one of our top catching prospects.

Come visit me inside Wrigley along the Addison side mezzanine fence straight up from 1st base.

by section229beer on Nov 23, 2009 2:17 PM CST up reply actions

What teams get a pick in the draft?

Do the Cubs get a pick this year?

by cubbiefan07 on Nov 20, 2009 6:45 PM CST reply actions

for the rule 5 draft? every team gets a chance i think it goes 3 or 4 rounds, but nobody ever

picks more than 2, and that is rare.

Bob Brenly on Leo Nunez "Dan Uggla just saved Nunez’ life because Koyie would break him into a million pieces"

by Zakh on Nov 20, 2009 10:57 PM CST up reply actions

The

Reds took two back in 2006, Dec with Josh Hamilton and Tim Burton, kept both all year and both were productive. Its only been done a few times where clubs could keep both players they selected.

by Slamdog on Nov 21, 2009 9:15 AM CST up reply actions

Tim Burton?

The film director?

You’re talking about Jared Burton.

And the Reds could do that because they were a crappy 90-loss team.

JFTR, the draft those two were chosen in was in 2006, but they made their Reds debuts in 2007.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 21, 2009 9:22 AM CST up reply actions

well

we protected gaub, parker, castillo, adduci, and dolis.

ADduci was a mild surprise, as he’s basically Sam Fuld-lite (Fuld’s got a bit better starting ability than Adduci, imo).,

by toonsterwu on Nov 20, 2009 6:49 PM CST reply actions

link

by toonsterwu on Nov 20, 2009 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

And does this mean Castillo we're pretty sure to see castillo at Wrigley before Sept.?

Are these the four catchers we’re most likely to see in 2010:
Soto, Hill, Castillo, and *Robinson?

Come visit me inside Wrigley along the Addison side mezzanine fence straight up from 1st base.

by section229beer on Nov 20, 2009 7:04 PM CST up reply actions

[edit]

Come visit me inside Wrigley along the Addison side mezzanine fence straight up from 1st base.

by section229beer on Nov 20, 2009 7:05 PM CST up reply actions

It'll be interesting who the "4th" catcher is

could be Robinson, could be Chirinos, could be Clevenger. Chirinos has gotten some buzz this offseason as a potentially balanced and steady backup backstop that could be closer, and shows good leadership skills.

by toonsterwu on Nov 20, 2009 7:06 PM CST up reply actions

I assume Coleman & Carpenter do not need "protection" ?

or Russell

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Nov 20, 2009 10:30 PM CST reply actions

Correct.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 21, 2009 8:11 AM CST up reply actions

Well I'd leave a spot open just in case they get nutty and call up Castro.

Randy Wells. A product of the Roy Halladay School of Pitching, located in Toronto, Canada. Possible relocation.

by Cub Style on Nov 21, 2009 10:52 AM CST reply actions

There's no reason to do that now.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 21, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions

yeah that'd be silly

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Nov 21, 2009 1:54 PM CST up reply actions

Just got back from a week in Mexico.

Came back to Heilman kicked to the curb and Grabow signed. Although I agree it’s too much for Grabow, I think this makes an excellent bullpen to back up a great starting rotation.

Now if we can somehow land Granderson and deal Milton, JH’s offseason should be pretty much done.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Nov 21, 2009 12:04 PM CST reply actions

survey says

The Cubs added outfielder James Adduci, catcher Welington Castillo and pitchers John Gaub, Blake Parker and Rafael Dolis to the 40-man roster on Friday.

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Nov 21, 2009 2:15 PM CST reply actions

Hmmm

Looks exactly like the info I posted on the main post under “UPDATE”.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 21, 2009 2:55 PM CST up reply actions

Don't get snippy Al!

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Nov 21, 2009 6:55 PM CST up reply actions

Not being snippy.

Just pointing out that I posted exactly the same information already in this thread.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 22, 2009 9:21 AM CST up reply actions

Dolis?

I am not a 100 percent minor league junkie, but, I’d never heard of him.

by Nibbles on Nov 21, 2009 8:44 PM CST reply actions

hard throwing righty

he’s had some weight and injury issues, iirc, but when on, he can be filthy. Likely doesn’t have the control to succeed as a starter, but could be a late inning pen arm if he can improve his control somewhat. FB can run into the triple digits. He sort of fell off the radar after being out in 2008. He was on the radar as a sleeper guy to watch in 2007. He might be somewhat similar to Jose Ceda. AzPhil and others posted very positive reports from instructionals, which got the mill churning, although others, such as Raisin, have long suggested that Dolis needed to be protected due to his upside.

by toonsterwu on Nov 21, 2009 9:15 PM CST up reply actions