Warehouse Wire 2040.01 - Expansion Protection

[bcslouck]

With the upcoming expansion draft that will add 2 new teams and shake up the league, each team is to protect 19 players. The Jimmies seemed to have lucked out with the draft being this year with not a lot of tough decisions on who need to be protected.

There was brief consideration to leave Mario Guerrer(1) unprotected just to free up money, but that was shut down pretty quick. He's on contract that isn't too bad and is still a very talented hitter. The other big offseason signing last year Fernando Marquez(2) was also protected.

The 2 first time All-Stars Joaquin Hebner(3) and Alfredo Sosa(4). Hebner has become one of the faces of team at this point and Sosa provided a lot of innings a RP and Opener. Rookie Jorge Nevarez(5) also had to be protected and was as he's the teams best SP with the teams best prospects a long way off.

José Salas(6) has developed into one of the more reliable RP's on the team in late inning situations. A little more surprising to be protected is Juan Canó(7). He provided solid innings last year but looks like a regression candidate. With only a year left on his deal, one has to wonder if he was worth a spot.

#11 prospect Ray Verhoeve(8) was protected as he will get a long look in Spring Training to make the Opening Day rotation. Chances are he'll start the year at AAA though but looks like a solid SP in the future. #15 prospect José Toledo(9) also has a chance to make the Opening Day roster as a 3B. He could probably use more AB's at AAA as well, but could be a big asset the year or 2 as at least a 3B versus LHP with the potential to be the every day guy. John Wilson(10) still needs some seasoning, his arm is too electric to leave unprotected. He has potential to hold down a late inning role.

Alfredo Perales(11) was also protected, probably the 2nd surprise. A late season signing, he is under team control for a couple more years but was awful in his audition. He will need a strong Spring to make the rotation. He could either be a solid #4/5 SP or DFA candidate.

Thiongo Muiru(12) had a bit of a sophomore slump but still projects to be a decent SP. With a 3.07 ERA over 13 starts in the last 2 months of the season, he may of work through whatever issues he was having with hopes he can take that next step.

David Márquez(13) and Takanori Goto(14) are still both young arms with some potential to contribute to a rotation or bullpen. Both have team control and options and are worth keeping in the organization. They will have a chance to make the big league roster, but some time at AAA may suit them well. Constantino Teixeiral(15) is in the same boat, just as a RP. He looks pretty developed but struggled in his cup of coffee.

CF Young-sik Won(16) was added as well. The team doesn't have a ton of CF options that have played at AA or above, so this was a no brainer and he should have a chance to make the BBA squad.

Zimmer 2B Mario Rodríguez(17) made the list as well. He provides a lot of versatility and has immense value to the team right now, even if he doesn't hit his 2038 numbers (which weren't that great but much better than 2039).

After some debate the organzation decided to protect Anastasio Vázquez(18) and Felipe Valdés(19). Both are corner OF's that have strong side platoon splits. Vázquez is probably another surprise addition with some decent pitchers available and decent more versatile players. Valdés has the chance to be a pretty good bat in one of the corners.

It's not a bad group they had to protect. Another year down the road would of made this job a lot harder for the team. The list of names on the protection list and off is a pretty good indicator of the talent starting to flood the organization.