Rule 5 Draft Recap

The Rule 5 Draft took place on December 11, 2008.    This draft allowed all teams the option of choosing players from other teams’ rosters that were left unprotected.   This is the draft in which the Marlins selected All-Star Dan Uggla proving it can be a very valuable draft.

The Marlins selected LHP Zachary Kroneke from the New York Yankees.    Kroneke was 7-0, 2.85 ERA in 41 relief appearances with 28 BB, 54 K’s last season between AA and AAA.   In the minor league phase of the draft, the Marlins added SS Ryan Klosterman, RHP Brett Harker, and RHP Ronald Hil. Matt Yourkin was taken by the San Francisco Giants and was the only Marlin who was lost during the draft.

With the release of Matt Treanor early Thursday, the Marlins opened up a spot on the 40-man roster which was available for a Rule 5 selection.   Kroneke took that spot vacated by the former Marlins’ catcher.   Players selected are on immediately placed on the new team’s 40 man-roster so if a team has no vacant spots, they are not eligible to select in the draft.

Here is a complete list of the players that were unprotected and available from the Marlins organization in this draft:

Player	Position	Age
Alexander, Stu	RHP	24
Allison, Jeff	RHP	24
Arce, Valentino	IF	23
Barone, Daniel	RHP	25
Baxter, Allen	RHP	25
Brinkley, Dante	OF	27
Burns, Greg	CF	22
Davis, Brad	C	25
De Aza, Alejandro	OF	24
De La Cruz, Chris	SS	26
Doolittle, Michael	RHP	26
Fermin, Miguel	C	23
Fernandez, Kenny	RHP	21
Fulton, Jonathan	RHP	24
Glen, Willie	RHP	31
Gogal, Jeff	LHP	26
Harvey, Kris	RHP	4
Henderson, Scott	RHP	33
Jenkins, Andrew	C	25
Jones, Blake	RHP	27
Marceaux, Jake	RHP	24
Martinez, Cristhian	RHP	26
Mayorson, Manny	SS	25
McCall, Derell	RHP	27
McCurdy, Nick	RHP	28
Mitchell, Lee	3B	26
Mobley, Chris	RHP	25
Ontiveros, Emilio	SS	23
Owens, Henry	RHP	29
Perez, Smelin	SS	23
Purdom, John	C	27
Randel, Kevin	SS	27
Roberts, Daron	CF	25
Rosario, Sandy	RHP	23
Ryan, Michael	OF	31
Sanches, Brian	RHP	30
Santin, Daniel	C	24
Santos, Jarrett	RHP	27
Schilling, Tim	LHP	29
Scott Lorenzo	OF	26
Silverio, Rigoberto	SS	22
Verley, Brandon	OF	23
Yourkin, Matt	LHP	27

Arbitration Declined on Free Agents

The Marlins declined arbitration on all of their free agents on Monday. There were four free agents and they were Luis Gonzalez, Arthur Rhodes, Paul Lo Duca and Mark Hendrickson. The Fish are able to continue negotiating with these players, however this move increases the odds that none of them return to the team in 2009. This move also means that the Marlins will receive no compensation for these players should they sign with another team.

Gonzalez signed with the Marlins last off-season for the purpose of serving as a 4th outfielder, pinch hitter, and veteran leader.  He quickly became the starting left fielder however when Josh Willingham went down with an injury for an extended period of time.    The veteran outfielder did an admirable job but is likely to price himself out of the Marlins’ range for 2009.  There are also rumblings he could head to the American League so that he can be a Designated Hitter.   It’s unlikely he returns to the Fish.

Arthur Rhodes came over from Seattle in a Trade Deadline deal that saw prospect Gaby Hernandez head to the Mariners.  The move was made to bolster the Marlins bullpen for the stretch run and fill a glaring gap of a left handed specialist.    Rhodes only allowed one earned run in his time with the Fish and had a 0.68 E.R.A.    There is a possibility the Marlins will re-sign Rhodes but it is dependent on the offers he gets from other teams around the league.   It’s unlikely the Fish would be interested in giving the lefty the multi-year contract he may be seeking.

Paul Lo Duca returned to the Marlins franchise in August after he signed a minor league deal.   He played 21 games in the majors hitting an impressive .294 while backing up John Baker at catcher.   It is possible the Marlins will re-sign Lo Duca to serve as their backup catcher but it is dependent on the offers he recieves as well as the Marlins’ ability to acquire another catcher.

Mark Hendrickson was signed to be the veteran on a young pitching staff and wound up being the Opening Day Starter.   After starting the season  well, the tall lefty wound up losing his starting job and worked out of the bullpen.   It is unlikely the Marlins will seek to bring Hendrickson back.

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