It is indeed a surprise that Gassner would not be protected.

Agreed. Gassner's said to have fringy stuff, and he wasn't a particularly good college player. But his numbers ever since he hit the pros have been nothing but excellent.

That would seem to suggest two spaces for free agents and/or Rule V selections. Unless a trade is made of course. Looks like Gassner, Godwin, and Nin are exposed. Those guys might not make it through the Rule V and two PTBNLs. Godwin in particular is the type of toolsy, speedy outfielder that many teams like.

A lot can happen in a year -- check out the 40-man roster announced this time last November:

Brian Bowles
Vinny Chulk
Pasqual Coco
Doug Creek
Kelvim Escobar
Bob File
Roy Halladay
Mark Hendrickson
Jason Kershner
Cory Lidle
Diegomar Markwell
Justin Miller
Cliff Politte
Francisco Rosario
Mike Smith
Jeff Tam
Corey Thurman
Pete Walker

Kevin Cash
Ken Huckaby
Josh Phelps
Guillermo Quiroz
Jayson Werth
Tom Wilson

Dave Berg
Carlos Delgado
Eric Hinske
Orlando Hudson
Felipe Lopez
Dominic Rich
Chris Woodward

Jose Cruz Jr.
Alexis Rios
Shannon Stewart
Vernon Wells
Dewayne Wise

I'll save you the math -- 13 of those 36 players (mostly pitchers) are either off the 40-man or, more frequently, out of the organization altogether. Notable by their absence from 2002 to 2003 are Corey Thurman, Mike Smith and Dominic Rich.

It is a bit of a surprise that both Gassner and Nin weren't protected, but it also shows the Jays philosophy concerning pitchers: soft tossers need not apply.

I wouldn't be surprised if they were the two PTBNL taken by Beane and Ryan. Like the mantra says, you can never have too many pitching prospects.

Vince Perkins and Gassner were on my list let's hope that we don't loose both. The jays have lost some good players Gibbons and Ford in the last few years I hope that J.P. knows what he is doing.

Does Escobar still have to be carried on the roster? I'm a little fuzzy on free agents.

Free-agents are not on the roster.

Vince Perkins is not eligible for the draft, as he is a bit of a special case. He was drafted as an 18 year old in 2000. But he went to Junior College and was not signed until the following summer. So as an 18 year old draftee he gets four years of playing before eligibility but his clock didn't start ticking until 2001.

Escobar does not have to be on the roster. But it appears that the roster at Bluejays.com has Escobar listed instead of Chulk. Either this is just a minor error on their part or Spencer Fordin knows something we don't.

If the Blue Jays have already decided to non-tender Politte (and I'm not saying they have or they should), is there anything they can do to remove him from the 40 man roster now rather than in December, leaving room for Gowin or Gassner?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but not being on the 40 man roster makes you eligible for the Rule V draft. But is there any other issues that comes from this?

I would think that none of the exposed players would stick with the major league team, and/or the Jays would be able to add someone they liked better.

Actually, I don't exist. You guys are referring to Rule 5. Common mistake, perpetrated by many sportswriters.

But Roman numerals look so fancy and sophisticated!

I'm kind of surprised they'd protect Hanson; I can't imagine many players jump from Low-A to the Majors successfully. And I don't see the point of having both Howie Clark AND Dave Berg on the roster, since they're really about the same player.

And I don't see the point of having both Howie Clark AND Dave Berg on the roster, since they're really about the same player.

I actually think Berg and Howie would make a serviceable platoon combo at second base if Hudson was traded (hope not) or moved to SS to platoon with Woodward (don't know if its possible but if it was I think it would solve our infield problems very cheaply)

It is a bit of a surprise that both Gassner and Nin weren't protected, but it also shows the Jays philosophy concerning pitchers: soft tossers need not apply.

Can you clear something up for me? Are you calling both these guys soft tossers?

I really don't understand all this love for Gassner. He'll be 25 in December and has pitched in 2 games above AA (and not well at that).

I would think that none of the exposed players would stick with the major league team, and/or the Jays would be able to add someone they liked better.

You never know: the Jays left Reed Johnson off the 40-man last year. I think part of the philosophy is that, for some of the players left exposed, the hope is that something about them will scare teams away, leaving the Jays with the player without having to protect them. Last year teams were scared off from claiming Johnson due to his injury-plagued 2002. This year, with a player like Nin left exposed, I'm hopeful that he will remain in the Jays system in 2004 due to the fact that people might be scared off after Nin aged 3 years in one day during the passport scandal (kinda like teams other than they Jays were hesitant to select Aqui Lopez after he aged 5 years in one day).

The Jays could have protected Gassner but they decided that two open spots were more valuable. Why? They might have someone in mind for the rule 5 draft who is a better prospect than Gassner. Or Gassner is a starter and the Jays want to pick up a reliever in the rule 5 draft.

Many guys picked in the rule 5 draft are players who have been injured and are coming back, speedy outfielder types who can be used as pinch hitters or defensive replacements, and pitchers who have one good skill, such as a blazing fastball. They all have issues which is why they are left off the roster.

I don't think the Jays "available" list has much exposure, excpet perhaps to milwaukee where Gordo knows the players and has roster spots available.

My reasons for liking Gassner are put beautifully and thoroughly by Jordan in the 2003 Farm Report on New Haven. I don't think that he will be as good as Tommy John, but that he has a chance to be an effective major league pitcher in that mould. There are other pitchers among the 38 protected who have somewhat less ability than Gassner in my opinion.

Regarding Hanson: he probably saved himself a spot on the 40-man with his second-half performance at Charleston, when he just dominated after struggling in the first half. He was coming back from knee surgery, he throws low-to-mid 90s with a sharp curve, and he's still just 23. He was old for Low-A, and he ought to start at least at Dunedin next year, possibly even Manchester if they're in a hurry with him. But his potential is worth the investment of a roster spot for sure.

The guy who I was pleasantly surprised to see on the list was Jesse Harper. He may well have been the last man added, and he doesn't throw particularly hard, but he has a good repertoire, fine control, excellent BB/K rates and that elusive pitchability. And he's actually younger than Hanson while pitching a level higher. He won't be a breakout guy, but he's worth keeping around.

The Jays could have protected Gassner but they decided that two open spots were more valuable. Why? They might have someone in mind for the rule 5 draft who is a better prospect than Gassner. Or Gassner is a starter and the Jays want to pick up a reliever in the rule 5 draft.

Equally likely is the possibility that they want to sign further major-league free agents. At least one slot is needed for a #2 starter.

There's nothing preventing the Jays from dropping someone from the 40 man roster is there?

For instance, if they don't plan on bringing Tom Wilson back can they just release him to open up a spot? I'm not sure Bob File is worth keeping on the 40 man roster either.

I don't think you'll see another Rule 5 player. Of course, I'm no Keith Law at finding them, but in addition to Lopez being a great selection last year, there was room to carry him because he was already better than the alternatives. The pickings may be even slimmer this year, and while the Jays might take one, it's highly unlikely he'll make the club.

I'd say the two open spots are for a starter and a shortstop; if they sign a "name" reliever or a fourth OF/DH type, somebody will be dropped.

I was a bit surprised that only two spots ended up being left but guys like Clark and Wilson and maybe even a guy like Pond could be dropped if they find themselves with enough money to sign worthwhile pitchers late in the shopping season. I think Godwin and Nin won't make it through both the Rule 5 and pending PTBNL transactions. Gassner might not make it either though if Oakland takes him that's a fair player to add to Kielty in return for Lilly.

One spot definately has to be taken by Escobar or his replacement; which leaves only one spot for a veteran reliever or shortstop backup. I have a feeling that the backup role might go to Sequea for the minimum salary if at all possible. And that makes it unlikely that they'd draft a Rule 5 player because they'll have the money left to pick up a veteran reliever or even two that can make a difference in the bigs.

Looking at the current setup, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Jays trade either Brandon League or Vince Perkins in the right deal. Both pitchers without a doubt have tremendous upside and are still quite young; but they'll have to be protected on the 40-man next year while they presently still remain raw. Add to that the volume of college arms who will be joining them this year in Dunedin, some of whom may actually get to AA ahead of them, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Jays move one of them to get a quality major leaguer back since they figure to replenish their low-minors depth in the June draft anyway. Especially if they have two extra picks from Escobar leaving.

I wouldn't trade both of them (I would lean towards moving League) and I'd make sure the guy I'm getting back is someone who's affordable for a few years. If they can get the other team to agree to League plus one of their not-top-three prospects for the #2 guy that they need then that's a perfect trade for them.

Have to agree on Harper. I have seen him pitch and for those of you that have not seen him I believe that you will be suprised. He sits around 89-92 most of the game, but has been clocked several times last year around 95. This kid is a pitcher not a thrower. He hits all of his spots and loves to get inside on the batter. He played four years at the high school level with Josh Beckett and brings the same kind of mental toughness. He will throw any pitch at any part of the count. The last two years he has kept notebooks on opposing hitters that he comprises himself. Looks for holes in swings and tendencies that batters have. Kind of reminds you of a Greg Maddux type. Always thinking ahead and has deadly accuracy. I believe he will pitch for someone someday and have a good career.