I look forward to hearing more about the pitchers.

Also appologize for the length of the comment, I got a little carried a way

Much more likely we gamble on a potential bullpen arm like Eduardo Morlan.

I like Shelton, reminds me of Alex Trevino with a better stick. He is number 3 on my Rule V wish list. A few Tiger fans were not happy he is unprotected.

My two top guys are Pedro Strop and Eduardo Morlan.

Pedro Strop is 23 year old pitcher in the Texas organization. in 86 minor league innings he has struck out 117 batters and only allowed 68 hits. He started out as a SS in the Rockies organization, before switching to pitching a few years ago. He was ranked the 9th best prospect in the Rockies farm system at the start of the year. I read that Cleveland stole him from the Rockies on a waiver technicality when the Rockies tried to take him off of the 40 man roster to activate Helton, but it sounds more like a calculated risk that they lost . Scout.com described Strop as having a mid-90s fastball with late life, a plus slider, and a nasty splitter, giving him (as Baseball America described it) “three swing-and-miss pitches.” Most of his minor league innings have been at high A,so it is a long jump, BUT he had arm surgery (Stress fracture in his elbow in June) and therefore we may be able to hide him in rehab a good portion of 2009 (which counts as being on the major league roster, therefore meeting that requirement).

Eduardo Morlan, 23 year old RHP with the Rays. Just a year ago he was considered one of the best relief arms in the minors when he was included in the Delmon Young trade. He was bothered with shoulder problems this year but it is hard to argue with 10.7K/IP over his minor league career and a 1.15 WHIP.

Bobby Wilson is another catcher who I believe is available (Angels, 25 years old and hit .312 in AAA this year).

Carlos Guevara, 26 year old RHP, is also interesting. He was the #5 pick in last years Rule V draft, selected by the Marlins from the Reds organization, and then sold to the Padres. His minor league numbers are impressive, 404 K in 315 IP, and his out pitch is a nasty screwball. Unfortunately he struggled with the Padres this year and the rest of his stuff is considered “ordinary”.

I was surprised to see KC release Ryan Braun, he could be another Stokes type scrap heap find. KC also has a few interesting Rule V candidates but I don’t think they are great fits for the Mets. Matt Fox, a RHP may have as much upside as anyone eligible in the Rule V but he is only a year removed for arm surgery and hasn’t pitched above A ball.

I still have a few 40 man rosters to go but with a few spots in the pen open for competition, there are a lot of possibilities.