NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The White Sox have one potential option for Thursday mornings Rule 5 draft, but not much else.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said he believes rule changes implemented with the last Collective Bargaining Agreement, which allows teams more control over their prospects, limits the crop of potential draftees. Hahns in favor of the change but believes there wont be much talent on the board by the time the White Sox are on the clock Thursday.
Qualified players who are not protected on teams 40-man roster are eligible to be selected by other clubs in the Rule 5 draft for 50,000. Players who were 18 or younger when they were signed and have been in an organization for five seasons or players 19 or older with four seasons must be protected or are exposed to the Rule 5 draft.
Its a different kind of draft now, Hahn said. Its not as fertile as it was before the added protection, which Im fine with. As an organization that has benefitted from being able to have an extra year of development for a player before we have to make that decision to protect them, Id rather have a better chance to get to know my own and protect the right guys than be able to potentially steal a diamond in the rough for 50,000 from another club. Were talking through one thing and well see if that happens.
As for their own?
Last month, the White Sox added five players to their 40-man roster and feel as if they have protected everyone who needs it. One team source said left-handed reliever Daniel Moskos -- the fourth overall pick of the 2007 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates -- could be selected. Moskos struck out 32 batters in 34 13 innings at Triple-A last season.
You never know what tickles someone elses fancy but obviously a big part of a decision to put a guy on the 40 is the expectation he would get picked if you didnt not protect him, Hahn said. So well see. A year ago at this time we had a pretty decent sense that Terry Doyle was going to get selected by Minnesota, which he did, and ultimately got returned. This year I dont have that exact sense. Ive heard a couple of rumored names but well see.