Red Sox Add Robert Manuel; Set 40-Man Roster
The Boston Red Sox finalized their 40-man roster prior to the Friday deadline in anticipation of the Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings in December. The Red Sox claimed Robert Manuel off of waivers from the Seattle Mariners.
Manuel split the 2009 baseball season with the Cincinnati Reds Triple A affiliate in Louisville (3-4, 10 saves, 2.70 ERA) and the Seattle Mariners Triple A affiliate in Tacoma (1-1, 4 saves, 3.32 ERA).
The Red Sox roster now stands at 32 players. They did not need to make any other moves with their roster because they have protected the players that they want protected. College draftees who were signed at least 4 years ago or international signees or high school draftees who were signed at least 5 years ago are all eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this December. Many of the club’s highest regarded prospects are either already protected or don’t need to be protected just yet because of lack of service time as a Red Sox player.