A few weeks ago, I briefly discussed a few of the Rule 5 eligible players that have the potential to be drafted in about a month. Looking at the current 40-man roster, the Yankees have 35 spots filled, leaving the potential for 5 players to be protected, assuming no trades happen during the Winter Meetings. That deadline to protect players is quickly approaching — teams need to add players to their respective 40-man rosters by 6 PM Tuesday, November 18.
In that article, I mentioned that I would promote Spencer Jones to be the Yankees’ center fielder of 2026, and that I would protect or trade Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, among others. Here, I’d like to explore a few possibilities on what the Yankees may do, and what I would do if I were in Brian Cashman’s shoes.
First, let’s look at the prospects that are currently Rule 5 eligible this year (shown with last team played for, age at Opening Day):
1B
- T.J. Rumfield (SWB, 25.9 yrs)
- Tyler Hardman (Somerset, 27.2 yrs)
- Josue Gonzalez (Tampa, 22.4 yrs)
INF
- Hans Montero (Tampa, 22.3 yrs)
C
- Edinson Duran (SWB, 23.7 yrs)
- Manuel Palencia, (Somerset/Mesa-AFL, 23.6 yrs)
OF
- Spencer Jones (SWB, 24.9 yrs)
- Jace Avina (Somerset, 22.8 yrs)
- Luis Durango (Hudson Valley, 23 yrs)
- Willy Montero (Tampa, 21.7 yrs)
SP
- Brendan Beck (SWB, 27.5 yrs)
- Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (SWB, 22.6 yrs)
- Will Brian (Somerset, 27 yrs)
- Bailey Dees (Somerset, 27.2 yrs)
- Chase Hampton (Somerset, 24.7 yrs)
- Zach Messinger (Somerset, 26.5 yrs)
- Brock Selvidge (Somerset, 23.6 yrs)
- Baron Stuart (Somerset, 26.7 yrs)
- Sebastian Keane (Hudson Valley, 25.4 yrs)
- Allen Facundo (Tampa, 23.6 yrs)
- Sean Hermann (Tampa, 22.8 yrs)
- Henry Lalane (Tampa, 21.9 yrs)
- Justin Lange (Tampa, 24.6 yrs)
- Luis Serna (Tampa, 21.7 yrs)
RP
- Harrison Cohen (SWB, 26.9 yrs)
- Eric Reyzelman (SWB, 24.8 yrs)
- Cole Ayers (Somerset, 26.6 yrs)
- Carson Coleman (Somerset, 28 yrs)
- Geoffrey Gilbert (Somerset, 24.9 yrs)
- Hueston Morrill (Somerset/Mesa-AFL, 26.4 yrs)
- Kevin Stevens (Somerset, 28.2 yrs)
- Luis Velásquez (Somerset, 24.8 yrs)
- Danny Watson (Somerset, 25.5 yrs)
- Thomas Balboni Jr. (Hudson Valley, 25.8 yrs)
- Matt Keating (Hudson Valley, 25.3 yrs)
- Adam Stone (Tampa/Mesa-AFL, 24.7 yrs)
As you can see, it’s quite an extensive list, but it’s slim pickings compared to years past. The Yankees have dealt a lot of their talent away in various trade deals. In fact, you can see where the Yankees are deep in their system just by looking at this year’s eligibility list.
Regardless, there are a number of names that the Yankees need to protect, like Spencer Jones, as an example. As time goes on, hope starts to dwindle that the Yankees won’t agree to a deal with either or both Trent Grisham (offered a qualifying offer; Yankees gain a CB pick in 2026 if he declines) or Cody Bellinger. The other 3 Rule 5 eligible outfield prospects aren’t anywhere near ready for the Majors, nor are they necessarily worth protecting at this point in their respective careers.
Considering the Yankees are down to 4 spots on the 40-man with the recent news that Ryan Yarborough had agreed to a 1-year deal, they likely protect two to three players. As previously noted, it likely means they’re protecting a pitcher or two, with Rodriguez-Cruz likely either being protected or traded, and one of either Cohen or Reyzelman being protected.
Another reliever that’s intriguing is Will Brian, who had himself a strong, but quiet, 2025 in Hudson Valley and Somerset. Brian put up a combined ERA of 2.08, but his numbers in 4 games and 7 IP in Hudson Valley were something you’d really only see in “MLB: The Show”: 0.00 ERA, 15.43 K/9, 1.29 BB/9, .160 OBA, 100% LOB. As you’d expect, reality set in once he was promoted to Double-A, where he posted a 2.48 ERA in 36.1 IP.
I think the biggest decision the Yankees need to make is whether they want to protect Henry Lalane. We didn’t see much of the 6-foot-7 southpaw in 2025 due to a nagging injury that wouldn’t heal properly. However, if the short 16-1/3 inning stint in Tampa at the end of the previous season is anything to go off of, he’s worth protecting.
Lalane threw a 1.65 ERA with an 11.02 K/9, but had a very elevated BB/9 of 7, and the latter is Lalane’s bugaboo. While he likely starts in Hudson Valley next season despite limited time in Tampa (9 games and 22.1 IP), it wouldn’t be overly surprising to see them take a chance on protecting such a young player. The Yankees added Yoendrys Gómez to the 40-man in November 2020 after he had played 3 seasons and only 6 games in full-season ball (26.2 IP with Low-A Charleston in 2019).
I keep going over the list, but can’t find anyone else I think the Yankees would protect under the circumstances. Regardless, we’ll know in less than 24 hours what they decide to do, then we’ll see in a few weeks who returns to Tampa next Spring as a Yankee prospect.
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