Hot Stove Lunch: Red Sox set to make roster additions in advance of Rule 5 draft

In a little over three weeks, the annual Rule 5 draft will be held at the Winter Meetings, and to prepare, MLB teams will have to set their 40-man rosters by Tuesday.

That means that the Sox will have to add some players to their current 40-man group. With Friday's re-signing of Steve Pearce, the Sox' 40 man roster currently sits at 35.

That means the Sox have room -- for now, at least -- to protect five more players. Almost certain to be added: infielder Michael Chavis, lefty starter Darwinzon Hernandez, reliever Travis Lakins and first baseman Josh Ockimey. (All four prospects would otherwise be eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft. Players must be protected if they've been in the minors for at least four years if they were signed after age 19, or five years in the minors if they were signed before they were age 19.)

Lefty Josh Taylor, who impressed some with his recent showing in the Arizona Fall League, is another possibility.

Of course, it's possible that the Sox could remove some players from the current 40-man, providing more room to protect others. Among those who might be in danger of being dropped off the roster: Tyler Thornburg, who may not be tendered a contract next month, and Chandler Shepherd, a pitcher at Pawtucket.

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HOT TAKE I MIGHT SOON REGRET

Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton has vowed his team is willing to spend money to improve this winter. If you're a Phils fan, that's welcome news.

The Phillies play in a big market and stand to realize a huge payday when they finally work out a new local TV rights deal. They should be spending to be competitive.

But seemingly addressing the speculation in the industry that they could pursue both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, Middleton added that the Phils could "maybe even be a little stupid about it.''

How much sense does that make? It's one thing for a team to be competitive; it's another for a club official to confess that the team could be reckless in its roster-building.