Gaudin & Ring Removed from 40-Man Roster, Melky Mesa Added

Yesterday I briefly discussed the Rule 5 draft, the 40-man roster and the Yankees options. Today they made their first moves to address the situation. This afternoon the Yankees outrighted Chad Gaudin and LHP Royce Ring to the minors which removes them from the 40-man roster and added OF Melky Mesa to the roster. Gaudin elected to be a free agent instead of staying with the team in the minor leagues. Gaudin is smart for electing for free agency. Being off the 40-man roster likely meant he wouldn’t have had much of a chance to join the team after spring training. So he might as well leave to try to catch on with another team. Ring will stay with the Yankees and likely serve as an emergency left handed reliever. Mesa is a soon to be 24-years-old outfielder. He’s got some decent pop in his bat, good speed, and a cannon for an arm. His .260 average was by far his highest average ever in the minors last season. Because of his speed and defensive abilities he could fill...