Major League Baseball teams must submit their 40-man rosters by November 20 in order to protect players from the Rule 5 draft. The Detroit Tigers currently have 32 players on their 40-man roster following their latest round of cuts earlier this month. Six of the Tigers’ top 30 prospects ranked by MLB.com will be eligible if they are not added to the 40-man roster by the deadline. The Rule 5 draft carries extra interest for the Tigers this winter, since they have the first draft selection.
The Rule 5 draft is conducted on the last day of MLB's annual Winter Meetings each year.