The final day of the Winter Meetings began with MLB’s annual Rule 5 Draft. As expected, the Yankees lost a number of prospects — right-handed relief pitchers Anyelo Gomez (Braves) and Jose Mesa (Orioles), left-hander Nestor Cortes (Orioles) and first baseman Mike Ford (Mariners).
After protecting as many minor leaguers as the 40-man roster would allow for, players down on the farm are eligible to be drafted depending on the amount of time they have already spent in the minors without being called up to the big leagues.