Winter Meetings Day 3 - Kemp not going anywhere, Rule 5 Draft preview

Not a damn thing happened today for the Dodgers during the last full day of the Winter Meetings.

Sure, Dave Stewart may or may not have shat the bed by telling reporters Ned Colletti told him there are no plans to trade Matt Kemp (thank God), but that was really it.

• Juan Uribe didn't sign anywhere
• The Dodgers didn't trade for David Price (though, I'm starting to talk myself into it -- more on that tomorrow)
• Masahiro Tanaka still hasn't been posted
• Andre Ethier is still a Dodger

Yeah, basically nothing. It isn't bad news, but I really want something to happen soon (but not just for the sake of happening).

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The Rule 5 Draft is Thursday, and the Dodgers have five free roster spots. However, they're not really expected to choose anyone.

A primer: If a team chooses a player during the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft, said player must remain on the active roster for the entire season. There is also a $50,000 price tag on selecting a player. If the player wants to be sent to the minor leagues, the drafting team must first offer the player back to the original team for half of the original fee ($25,000).

J.J. Cooper of Baseball America previewed some of the available players. He singled out Hector Nelo from the Dodgers. Nelo was chosen in the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 last year. He pitched at Double-A in 2013 and posted a 2.67 ERA, 3.56 FIP and a 7.4 K/9. He re-signed with the Dodgers after the season and was not protected on the 40-man roster.

Nelo possesses a near-100 MPH fastball, but controlling the pitch has been a big issue for the 26-year-old righty. If not, he'd have been in the majors a long time ago.

The Dodgers hold the 25th pick, and most teams decline to select a player. This draft goes fast.

A lot of relievers are chosen in the Rule 5. Jose Dominguez was left unprotected last year, but no team took him. He had a 25-game suspension looming and not a lot of experience. The Dodgers could go that route, but I'm not expecting it.

More likely, the Dodgers take a player or two in the minor-league phase, as they did last year. And since they protected Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia and Jarret Martin, there's not much chance they lose a player in the Major League phase. If anyone gets popped, it'll be Red Patterson.

Photo credit: SD Dirk, Flickr

Dodgers lose Alfredo Silverio in Rule 5 Draft to the Marlins

Alfredo Silverio, who had a fantastic 2011 season, was selected by the Miami Marlins in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft.

It was kind of surprising seeing as Silverio missed the entire 2012 season due to a nasty car accident that ultimately led to Tommy John surgery for the toolsy outfielder.

Silverio, 25, was removed from the 40-man roster before re-signing to a minor-league deal with the Dodgers.

His 2011 season got people talking and believing, so much so that Baseball America ranked him as the Dodgers' fourth-best prospect heading into 2011. I had him at No. 12 and had him slotted in the mid-20s for my upcoming Top 50 prospects.

Silverio has to remain on the Marlins' roster all season, otherwise they have to send him back to the Dodgers. By selecting him, the Marlins pay the Dodgers $50,000. I know it sounds weird, but the Marlins are actually paying a baseball player to play ball. Novel concept.

Not sure Silverio will last the season on the 25-man roster, but it'll be interesting to follow his progression in 2012.

Photo credit: mwlguide, Flickr