Elephant Rumblings: 40-man roster additions

MLB news roundup

Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!

Yesterday was the deadline to set 40-man rosters in order to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft at Winter Meetings this December. Joe Trezza at MLB.com has a helpful Rule 5 primer on the league’s website, as well as updates on moves made around the league.

The A’s added three players to their 40-man roster ahead of the deadline to protect them from being claimed by another team.

Outfielder Denzel Clarke and starting pitcher Gunnar Hogland are both among the organization’s Top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline, so it is unsurprising that the A’s moved to protect them.

Pitcher Ryan Cusick was also added; his minor league stats are pretty unimpressive, but as Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors observed, the 25-year-old righty made huge strides after moving to the bullpen this season, so the A’s may want to ensure he’s around for a Spring Training audition.

At Tuesday’s end, the A’s still had three open roster spots, with two Top 30 prospects left unprotected. That pair includes second baseman Cooper Bowman and outfielder Brayan Buelvas. 2019 first round pick Logan Davidson is potentially up for grabs, too.

Presumably, any eligible player left off the 40-man at this point is deemed expendable in the interest of giving the A’s the opportunity to make some Rule 5 picks in December, or simply considered unlikely to be claimed by another team.

How is the A’s offseason strategy landing with you so far, AN? Did the A’s leave anyone unprotected that you’d have locked down? Who might the A’s target in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft? Sound off below!

A’s Coverage:

• A’s 2024 Season in Review: Daz Cameron
• A’s 2024 Season In Review: Tristan Gray
• A’s add 3 prospects to 40-man roster as Rule 5 Draft protection
• Athletics Sign Matt Krook To Minor League Deal
• A’s Sign Jason Alexander To Minor League Contract
• Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees deal puts Oakland’s ask into perspective

MLB News & Interest:

• 40-man roster deadline has passed: Which prospects got spots?
• Stephen Vogt, Pat Murphy Win Manager Of The Year
• Matchmaking the top 10 MLB free agents with the team where they fit best ($)
• 12 Players Decline Qualifying Offers
• Rays’ New Stadium Delayed Past 2028, Potentially Halted Until Further Notice
• MLB plans new national TV packages for 2028; changes to revenue sharing, CBA crucial ($)
• Rays Designate Richard Lovelady For Assignment
• Mets To Acquire Jose Siri
• Rosenthal: When Roki Sasaki signs, other international amateurs will suffer. They shouldn’t ($)
• Big League Chew files lawsuit against licenser Ford Gum over trademark, brand infringement ($)
• Jim Crane: Astros “Have The Wherewithal To” Match 2024 Spending
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Roster moves.

Reddick loved the fans in Oakland.

Vogt would have gotten my vote.

This Angelino had to chuckle.