Rule 5 Day

Posted By on November 14, 2023

Today is when the 40-man roster must be set. It is also the deadline for Free Agents to accept or reject the qualifying offers. Players with the requisite service time will be exposed to the Rule 5 Draft if not protected. There are five open roster spots:

I would protect:

  • Hunter Feduccia (but they may have too much other talent to protect a backup catcher)
  • Nick Frasso
  • Landon Knack
  • Gus Varland (drafted and returned last year)
  • Yenier Fernandez (someone like Milwaukee could take this guy – he is a very valuable & versatile player)

Ryan Yarbrough is not a roster lock, and if the Dodgers have any inkling of keeping Feduccia, they would likely DFA Austin Barnes. Personally, I would keep Fernandez over Barnes. Any of the following players could be added to the 40-man roster, but they are doubtful in my mind:

  • Kendall Williams (not a great showing in the AFL)
  • Carlos Duran
  • Alex Gamboa
  • Edgardo Henriquez
  • Jose Ramos
  • John Rooney
  • Braydon Fisher
  • Jerming Rosario
  • Robinson Ortiz
  • Mark Washington

The deadline for the Free Agents to accept or reject the qualifying offers is 4 PM EDT (1 PM PDT). The deadline for the Rule 5 Rosters is 6 PM EDT (3 PM PDT).

The Rule 5 Draft will be held on December 6th at the Winter Meetings in Nashville.

The non-tender deadline is November 17th, but why wait if you have minor leaguers to protect?

Other Dodger Notes

  • Congratulations to James Outman, who finished 3rd in the Rookie of the Year Voting
  • I recently talked to a “source” who gave me his opinion of some prospects:
    • The Dodgers had several good offers for Michael Busch last year, but they value him a lot and see him as a regular.
    • Miguel Vargas‘ issues last year were all the result of trying to come back too soon from two broken fingers and pressing as a result. They still see him as a very good hitter.
    • The organization is high on Yenier Fernandez, who can catch, play 2B and SS, and has a very solid hit tool.
    • Diego Cartaya is having his swing “re-done,” as he changed it dramatically last year.
    • Gavin Stone is working on his slider – he has to have a good one, or he is in the bullpen.
    • He wants to see Andy Pages conditioning after being injured last year. Pages was 25-30 pounds lighter last Spring. If he didn’t balloon out, he has a shot at playing in the Show this year.
    • If Dalton Rushing remains at Catcher, he is at least two years away… maybe more!
    • Ryan Pepiot could be a great #3 Starter.
    • Gavin Lux is running like a deer.

This article has 72 Comments

    1. Because his ceiling is that of a backup catcher, and I doubt they waste a roster spot for that. That’s just my opinion, but I think it is the Dodgers, too. Someone will likely take him, but he could return.

      1. I’d rather they trade him than lose him for nothing.

        I can live with it if they choose a high-upside arm over him.

        1. Agree. Keep high end talent. Someone who’s “ceiling” is that of a backup (albeit a very important backup as backup catcher) can be easily replaced if need be.

  3. I love all the notes from your contact Mark. I hope all of that happens. I would like to see Vargas and Busch at 3B and left field and stay away from another strikeout machine like Hernandez. My key pick for pitching is the Japanese left hander but also think Giolito could be fixed as he is basically healthy.

      1. Ok thanks. I think Miami’s manager should win because of the unbelievable 1 run game record and with pretty bad players.

          1. I don’t know about Bochy because the voting was before the playoffs, so it’s a regular season thing. The Orioles came out of nowhere and ended up with the 2nd best record in MLB and the best record in the AL. They also had the 2nd best 1 run game record in MLB only behind Miami. The Rangers finished 90-72 barely making the playoffs with a good amount of good players.

            I don’t know who will win, but I think it should go to Miami and Baltimore.

  5. What’s the deal with Yarbrough?

    Could someone explain his situation please?

    I like him. He’s a keeper if that’s possible?

    I think the Brainstrust messed him up at the backend.

    He was meant to be a long man, or the second half of a piggy back – until all the Starters went down and the powers that be decided it was necessary to try him out as an Opener.

    This wasn’t his thing and he struggled mightily. He was then left off the Post Season Roster.

    I think if the Top Brass could have a Mulligan on that decision they would.
    They messed him up when he was going along nicely.

    It’s these kinds of decisions that I think that AF is referring to as “Organisational” mistakes.

    1. I think they made a mistake not putting him on the post season roster, but since they got jobbed in 3 games it didn’t matter. He probably would have been back on the roster had they gotten deeper into the playoffs.

    3. Ryan Yarbrough thinks he is a starter, not a reliever or opener. He has been vocal about that. I do not see him as a viable starter, and if that is what he wants to be, then it will be elsewhere.

      I don’t see it as the Barss messing him up. I see it as he is messed up!

  6. DFA Barnes. There’s a thought I like but another team would probably take him leaving Dodgers to eat bout 2.7 mil, so I doubt it. Can’t lie sure has got me intrigued in what moves they make. Wish it would hurry up, sick of rumors and predictions already. Dodger sites taking a tad bit of info, wording it twenty different ways just to have something to write about is getting old. Patience I keep telling myself

    1. Won’t happen. Reason is simple, he has a contract for next season and the pitchers, not just Kershaw, love the guy. The Dodgers had two 1-0 wins last year. Barnes drove in the run in both.

  7. Mark, I suggest that you check the spelling of Fernandez’ first name. You are consistent, but wrong in your version.

    1. And yet some Dodgers will be traded…
      If I saw the same list, Burnes and Adames were No. 2 and 3

  10. Padres lead owner (and Walter O’Malley’s grandson) Peter Seidler has died.

    He took a small market franchise and was willing to spend a lot of money to make it better. Also had a reputation for being a stand-up guy. Only 63. RIP.

    1. I saw that a little while ago. From the picture they posted, he could not have been in good health. I also read he had been fighting Hodgkins lymphoma.

  12. I read Lux is to begin running today. From Fabian Ardaya. Pretty good source. Somebody got their info all wrong

  13. I sure hope he is and comes back hundred percent but I do have strong doubts he can. He tore that knee up pretty bad. I don’t believe much of anything I hear anymore. Gotta see to believe these days and even then eyes might trick ya

  14. Mark there’s no evidence showing evidently your source is better than Fabian’s. Show me a date stamped video of him running like a deer on grass. Then you might have something

  15. Well, if Fabian did say he started running this week, he IS WRONG! Nothing unclear about that.

    I took it to mean that he is running free and easy.

    Here’s three more reports for you:

    Dodgers’ Gavin Lux: On track to be primary shortstop
    Rotowire NOV 8, 2023
    Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday that Lux (knee) appears on track to be the team’s primary shortstop in 2024, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. Lux was expected to take over the position in 2023 before he blew out both the ACL and LCL in his right knee during an early spring training game. The 25-year-old began a running program in late July and continues to make steady progress within the recovery process, per Gomes. He should be back to full health when camp opens in February.

    Dodgers’ Gavin Lux: Making progress in recovery
    Rotowire JUL 23, 2023
    Lux (knee) said Saturday that he’ll be able to start running on the field at the end of next week and that he could start hitting off a tee in early August, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Lux is recovering from a torn ACL and LCL suffered early in spring training. He began running on a treadmill in late June and is now nearing on-field running. Though this is a sign that he’s making good progress, Lux is not expected to return this season. However, there’s a strong chance that he’ll be fully recovered by spring training next year.

    Dodgers’ Gavin Lux: Begins running on treadmill
    Rotowire JUN 20, 2023
    Lux (knee) posted a video Tuesday on his personal Instagram account featuring him running on a treadmill. Lux’s video confirms that he’s begun a running program about three and a half months after he underwent surgery to repair ACL and LCL tears in his right knee. The Dodgers still don’t appear to be counting on Lux returning from the 60-day injured list at any point this season, but if he steers clear of any setbacks while ramping up the intensity of his running over the next several months, he could enter spring training with a clean bill of health.

    1. Good report about Lux, and I’m not that surprised. Ronald Acuna came back pretty well from his ACL surgery. Come to think of it, my No. 1 son, age 22, is doing fine with his repaired ACL on his skateboard and surfboard.
      The question with Lux is still whether he’ll be a quality major-league shortstop. With Max likely to play 3B, it’s important to have a strong defender at SS.
      I think Lux can be a decent SS, but Adames has proven himself to be a top-tier defender, and his righty bat delivers thump. I’ve read that the Brewers are confident that Tirang can easily shift from 2B to SS, so perhaps a straight Lux-for-Adames swap would make sense.
      The Brewers, a small market team, would shed about $12 million in salary and put a Wisconsin boy with upside at either 2B or SS. The big-market Dodgers get more security and proven power at SS, and I think Adames’ righty bat adds some balance to the lineup that could feature a certain lefty bat at DH, along with holdovers Freddie, Max and Outman.
      So I think Lux-for-Adames could be a win-win. If it seems to tilt a bit in the Brewers’ favor, that’s OK. Perhaps the Dodgers won’t have to offer quite as much to get Burnes in the deal too. He’s the bigger prize.
      This should be obvious: Mookie’s ability to play 2B limits opportunities for guys like Lux, Busch and Vargas. The reports of the Dodgers’ interest in Teoscar Hernandez has me wondering if AF hopes for a Heyward-Hernandez platoon in RF that would make Mookie the full-time 2B.
      That could leave Busch and Vargas in competition for LF with DeLuca, Taylor and perhaps Pages, and for 3B with much-maligned Max. Yeah, he delivers lead-glove defense and low batting average…and about 35 HRs per season.

    2. Good report about Lux, and I’m not that surprised. Ronald Acuna came back pretty well from his ACL surgery. Come to think of it, my No. 1 son, age 22, is doing fine with his repaired ACL on his skateboard and surfboard.
      The question with Lux is still whether he’ll be a quality major-league shortstop. With Max likely to play 3B, it’s important to have a strong defender at SS.
      I think Lux can be a decent SS, but Adames has proven himself to be a top-tier defender, and his righty bat delivers thump. I’ve read that the Brewers are confident that Tirang can easily shift from 2B to SS, so perhaps a straight Lux-for-Adames swap would make sense.
      The Brewers, a small market team, would shed about $12 million in salary and put a Wisconsin boy with upside at either 2B or SS. The big-market Dodgers get more security and proven power at SS, and I think Adames’ righty bat adds some balance to the lineup that could feature a certain lefty bat at DH, along with holdovers Freddie, Max and Outman.
      So I think Lux-for-Adames could be a win-win. If it seems to tilt a bit in the Brewers’ favor, that’s OK. Perhaps the Dodgers won’t have to offer quite as much to get Burnes in the deal too. He’s the bigger prize.
      This should be obvious: Mookie’s ability to play 2B limits opportunities for guys like Lux, Busch and Vargas. The reports of the Dodgers’ interest in Teoscar Hernandez has me wondering if AF hopes for a Heyward-Hernandez platoon in RF that would make Mookie the full-time 2B.
      That could leave Busch and Vargas in competition for LF with DeLuca, Taylor and perhaps Pages, and for 3B with much-maligned Max. Yeah, he delivers lead-glove defense and low batting average…and about 35 HRs per season.

        1. Another reason to trade Lux…
          What kind of baseball name is “Gavin,” anyway?
          Willie is all baseball, all the time…

  16. Come on Mark two are from June and July and the other coming from dodger brass which we all know never are truthful about medical issues. We’re in the age of misinformation and the sports writers are guilty as well. Don’t get me wrong man I want lux heathy and ready to go. Im a fan of his. I’m just gonna need to see it before believing any reports out there. Also think other teams like the brewers are not going to put in a lot value in trades involving lux as some have suggested

  18. Dodger’s Press Release

    DODGERS ADD NICK FRASSO, LANDON KNACK & HUNTER FEDUCCIA TO 40-MAN ROSTER

    LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers added right-handed pitchers Nick Frasso and Landon Knack and catcher Hunter Feduccia to the 40-man roster.

    Frasso, 25, split the 2023 season between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, going a combined 4-6 with a 3.77 ERA (39 ER/93.0 IP) and 107 strikeouts. The right-hander began his career with the Toronto Blue Jays organization, reaching High-A Vancouver before being traded to the Dodgers in 2022 along with left-handed pitcher Moises Brito in exchange for right-handed pitcher Mitch White and minor league infielder Alex De Jesus. Frasso has pitched in 44 minor league games, recording a 4-6 mark with a 2.96 ERA (50 ER/152.0 IP) and 191 strikeouts. The Southern California native was originally drafted by the Blue Jays in the fourth round of the 2020 First Year Player Draft out of Loyola Marymount University.

    Knack, 26, went 5-1 with a 2.51 ERA (28 ER/100.1 IP) and 99 strikeouts in 2023. He began the season with Double-A Tulsa, going 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 57.1 innings. He was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 17 and went 3-1 with a 2.93 ERA (14 ER/43.0 IP) and 38 strikeouts in 10 starts for the OKC Dodgers. The Tennessee native was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the second round of the 2020 First Year Player Draft out of Tennessee State University and has pitched in 55 minor league games in the Dodgers’ organization with a 14-12 record and 3.40 ERA.

    Feduccia, 26, had a banner season in 2023, clubbing 11 homers and driving in 57 runs while tallying a career-high .279 batting average with an .838 OPS. The backstop played 90 games for the OKC Dodgers, posting a .994 fielding percentage and throwing out 21 base stealers in 741.1 innings behind the plate. Feduccia has slashed .263/.363/.425 with 40 homers and 206 RBI in 365 minor league games with the Dodgers’ organization. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 12th round of the 2018 First Year Player Draft out of Louisiana State University.

      1. Again, am I a bad person to hope that Barnes has a minor injury so that Feduccia finally gets a shot?

  19. I am really hoping that Michael is being tongue-in-cheek on his response to Mark posting on the request for proof of Lux running (and if so, accept my apologies for the comments below).
    If not, I am not sure how anybody could help you. What Mark posted were from three (3) different sources.
    20-Jun – Lux posted a video on his Instagram – that would be seeing it!
    23-July – The Athletic states “Lux said” – why would the writer waste their breathe and reputation if not true for something so mundane as to “who gives a s—“.
    8-Nov – another writer risking his reputation to report something not true (i.e. lying), saying by name the Dodger GM, who provided the quote.

    1. What is most disturbing to me is that someone questions that Lux is running NINE MONTHS AFTER his injury!

      He has been running. Some people when told the sun is shining, demand proof!

  20. Per Fabian A:

    The Dodgers have added Nick Frasso, Landon Knack and Hunter Feduccia to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft.

    Two spots still unfilled.

  21. Miami and Baltimore managers won manager of the year. The 2 teams with the top 2 best 1 run game records won it, and that should be the main thing to consider, at least I think so. I’m glad they won because I believe the biggest job (maybe the only job) for a manager is pushing the right buttons concerning the relief pitchers.

    To me, the best or near best win – loss records shouldn’t determine it, because some teams with the best records have a lot of very good players (mostly the case) and some don’t.

    Dealing with a lot of injuries shouldn’t necessarily win it, if you have talented prospects in the minor leagues that step up, as the Dodgers had this year.

  22. Whoever said lux wasn’t running sure wasn’t me. I just mentioned what I read Fabian say. And also just because someone writes it doesn’t make it true. And if anyone here takes to heart what dodger brass say about injuries hasn’t been following them very long. If Murphy wants to believe what he reads that’s on him. Mark if want to believe Lux is roaring, ready to go 100% with no issues that’s your prerogative. Myself I need to see him actually playing real baseball games. Mark it doesn’t bother you that you act like your better and smarter than everyone else because it should. Your video didn’t play by the way.

      1. Michael and Eric,

        If they gave either one of you an enema they could bury you in a shoebox.

        I should let pathetic drivel go, but I won’t!

        Michael, YOU started out by saying “I read Lux is to begin running today. From Fabian Ardaya. Pretty good source. Somebody got their info all wrong.”

        The person who wrote that about Lux was ME! So you are saying that I either am lying or don’t have a good source.

        Then you said: “Mark there’s no evidence showing evidently your source is better than Fabian’s. Show me a date stamped video of him running like a deer on grass. Then you might have something.”

        So, I posted the link, right from X (formerly Twitter) and you said the video didn’t play. I’ll bet it plays for everyone else.

        Then you said“Mark it doesn’t bother you that you act like your better and smarter than everyone else because it should. “

        I am not acting smarter than you. I just have it right and you have it wrong. Admit it, Moron!

        Michael and Eric,

        I am tired of your tiresome puke! Life is too short to continuously deal with the likes of your drivel! BYE!

        This is for you…

        Troll

  23. FROM MLBTR:

    The Dodgers have selected the contracts of three players: right-handers Nick Frasso and Landon Knack and catcher Hunter Feduccia. The trio would have otherwise been eligible for the Rule 5 draft. The 40-man count is up to 38.

    Frasso was a fourth round selection of the Blue Jays in 2020. The Dodgers acquired him at the ’22 deadline in the deal sending Mitch White to Toronto. A Loyola Marymount product, Frasso has mid-upper 90s velocity and is an excellent athlete. Baseball America recently ranked him as the #5 prospect in the L.A. system. He spent the bulk of 2023 at Double-A Tulsa, working to a 3.91 ERA in 73 2/3 innings. The 6’5″ hurler struck out almost 30% of opponents against a solid 7.6% walk rate in that breakout showing.

    Knack, 26, was a second round pick in the same draft. A senior sign out of East Tennessee State, he’s a potential back-end starter. Knack split the ’23 campaign between Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a sub-3.00 ERA at both stops. He allowed 2.51 earned runs per nine in 100 1/3 frames overall, striking out 24% of batters faced with a 7.3% walk percentage.

    Feduccia, also 26, is a left-handed hitter out of LSU. A 12th-round pick in 2018, he has spent six seasons in the minors. He logged all of 2023 in OKC, running a .279/.387/.451 batting line over 380 trips to the plate. Feduccia walked at a huge 15.3% clip, struck out around 21% of the time and connected on 11 home runs.

  24. The player I am most worried about losing is Yeiner Fernandez, I could see a team like Milwaukee taking him.

    1. If one is good at reading between the lines, here’s what I get from AF:

      We tried to sign Corey but it did not seem like he wanted to come back!”

      1. He also mentioned that he expected some real progress from Vargas next year, but no mention of Busch.

        1. There are excuses, and then there are reasons. Two broken fingers are enough to derail even the best hitters. He was trying to play through it, and that was a bad idea. You will see a different player this year.

  27. Another thing to remember. Spring training is short this year. They play 21 spring games by the 13th of March. Then they do not play again until they open the season in Seoul Korea on the 20th of March. They play a second game the 21st and then fly home and do not play again until the 24th at Dodger Stadium against the Angels. Their last spring game is the 26th at Angel Stadium. On the 28th, they play their third game of the season at home against the Cardinals. That is the first game of a four-game series against the Redbirds.

  28. “Quantrill returned from the injured list on Sept. 1 and owned a 2.76 ERA in the final six starts of the season.”
    Cleveland DFA’d this guy.
    Hmm…

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