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Every two decades or so, a very significant player changes hands in the Rule 5 draft which takes place at the winter meetings next week. Johan Santana, George Bell and Roberto Clemente are the three big names. Due to changes in the rules in the newly negotiated collective bargaining agreement, this will likely be a slow year for the Rule 5 draft. Here is a primer on the rules prior to the changes, and here is a summary of the changes. Formerly, most college players would have to be placed on the 40 man roster within 3 years of their signing or else they would be eligible to be chosen in the Rule 5 draft, whereas most high school players would have to be placed on the 40 man roster within 4 years of their signing or else be eligible. Under the new CBA, the time for most college players has been extended to 4 years and for most high school players to 5 years. This change has a number of implications for player development, but for today, let's see how the Jays' 40 man roster looks with the Rule 5 draft in mind.
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The Rule 5 draft is over 3 months away, but it never hurts to look ahead.
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The Rule 5 draft will be held on Thursday, December 8th.
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The Rule 5 Draft should be getting underway anytime now, and this thread will be the keeper of rumours and results. To tide you over till the draft reports start coming in, check out:

Plenty of arms available in Rule 5 draft (MLB.com)

Rule 5 Draft Preview (Baseball America)

Pinch-hit Rule 5 preview (Batter's Bauxite Marc)



Box regular Marc pinch-hits and offers us his view of some of the prospects available in next month's Rule 5 draft. Thanks, and take it away, Marc.
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Today is the deadline for finalizing the 40 man roster for Rule 5 purposes. The Jays currently have 32 men on their roster, including late-season and post-season additions Russ Adams, Gustavo Chacin and Seong Song. Here is the roster. Who will be added, and how many spots, if any, will be left open on the roster?
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