News
Braves could add to 40-man roster
Club facing Friday deadline to protect potential Rule 5 drafteesBy Mark Bowman / MLB.com
11/19/09 8:53 PM EST
ATLANTA -- As they continue to target moves they could make on the free agent and trade markets, the Braves will have to accordingly set their 40-man roster before Friday comes to a close.All Major League clubs must meet this deadline to protect those players that they don't want to subject to December's Rule 5 Draft. Players eligible for this draft include those signed out of college in 2006 or before, and both high school and International players signed in 2005 or before.
The Braves currently have 33 players on their 40-man roster and they could choose to add seven players to that roster on Friday with the understanding that some players could be removed via trades or non-tender moves at a later date.
Some of the players who could be added to the roster include left-handed pitchers Lee Hyde and Jose Ortegano, right-handed pitcher Jeff Lyman and and outfielder Matt Young.
If the Braves choose to protect as many players as possible by filling their 40-man roster, they will have multiple ways to make necessary space for any acquisitions over the next couple of weeks.
While outfielder Ryan Church will likely be non-tendered, the Braves still feel there's a chance that they could trade Kelly Johnson before Dec. 12, the date when all Major League clubs must offer contracts to all unsigned players.
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
