This is the only source I've seen announcing it, but the A's have (apparently) added Chris Carter, Fautino De Los Santos, Pedro Figueroa and Justin Souza to their 40-man.

1: h/t: FK

I'm a little surprised Shelley Duncan got through - I can't think of a better 'free commodity' power bat out there.
As some may remember, I like Hulett quite a bit for a bench spot - has no plus skills (hence, tactical value) - but plays all over the field, bats lefty (handy for a MI), and is okay at pretty much everything. I'd take him over, say, a Bloomquist anyday.
Robinzon Diaz is a nifty 3rd catcher. (slightly lesser Brayan Pena?)

Missing from the above: Laynce Nix outrighted, becomes FA.

Dodgers added Javy Guerra as well.

SF added OFs Darren Ford and Francisco Peguero, RHP Kevin Pucetas and 1B Brett Pill. (Rotoworld)

Marlins added RHPs Jose Ceda, Jay Buente, Brett Sinkbeil, and Kris Harvey(!) and OF Scott Cousins.

Mets made no moves, Red Sox only added Manuel.

BA has a complete list, including some moves made earlier.

-- MWE

Here's a Mayo article on omissions and a Sickels forum thread on same.

Was there some reason the Pirates were forced to add Gorkys Zygotic Hernandez to their 40-man roster? He was utterly overmatched at Altoona this year.

Getting rid of Robinzon Diaz seems odd to. The return of Jeff Clement to actual catching duties?

Was there some reason the Pirates were forced to add Gorkys Zygotic Hernandez to their 40-man roster?

Same reason as all the others: The Pirates chose to protect him from the Rule V draft. This is the fifth draft since he first signed, so he would otherwise have been eligible.

My list of the best of the available Cardinals would include rhp Trey Hearne, who doesn't have a power arm but had a strong year mostly at Double-A, and Mike Parisi, who pitched in the majors in '08 and then missed this season after a TJ. Parisi got in some work in the AFL; he's not a K guy either, but he has a repertoire of six or seven pitches. Also available are former high draft pick Mark McCormick, perenially injured; and Amaury Cazana, eligible for the first time at age 35. He tears up the Mexican League every year on loan, but hasn't got much of a serious look the last couple of years.

Can we use this as a thread on some of the intriguing players available for the Rule 5?

For the Royals, they left unprotected P Chris "Disco" Hayes. He's the quirky sabermetric submariner who posted a 0.98 ERA in 36 AA innings, but struggled in AAA with a 4.59 ERA. Still, he throws strikes, and if he keeps the ball low he could be an asset in the pen.

Tug Hulett seems like a guy that could be a useful utility infielder. He doesn't look like a ballplayer at all - short and fat - but he drew walks in the minors, has some pop and can play all infield positions.

Chris Nicoll is a RH reliever who fared okay in AA, but was torched in AAA.

RHP Eduardo Paulino has been a solid, but not spectacular starter considering where he has pitched, but has not pitched higher than the Carolina League.

RHP Gilbert de la Vara I belive was taken in the Rule 5 draft before, but returned. He wasn't very good last year.

And Wilson Betimet, Brad Thompson, John Bannister, Edwin Bellorin and Jorge Campillo who all signed minor league deals, are all eligible to be taken.

Getting rid of Robinzon Diaz seems odd too
I thought it was strange as well - it's been speculated that his attitude may have been an issue.

I know virtually zero about Tommy Mendoza (LAA), who made a BA top 10 list three years back then dropped all but off their radar despite decent pitching. Anyone here want to chime in with opinions?

Reminder: guys who have been taken in the R5 major league phase can elect free agency if selected again and they then clear waivers (same for anyone who has been outrighted previously).

Juan Abreu signs big league deal w/ Atl.

The return of Jeff Clement to actual catching duties?

It's been cited as a possibility, and the deletion of Diaz suggests that it's more than a remote possibility.

-- MWE

As far as Rule 5'ers go - you're probably looking for guys who can give you 30-40 low-leverage innings out of the bullpen. Maybe someone like Michael Dubee from the Pirates, who had a tremendous effort at Lynchburg followed up with some decent outings in Altoona.

-- MWE

Tug Hulett seems like a guy that could be a useful utility infielder.

Red Sox apparently think so, too. They've acquired him in a post-DFA trade with the Royals and committed a 40-man roster spot to him.

Nice Rule 5 Draft Preview of Pitchers here

Surprisingly, no Yohan Pino on it, and he seems to be a consensus as one of the top pitchers available. Neil Wagner and Steven Wright intrigue me.

Must say, Aneury Rodriguez looks pretty tasty to me.

BA has a 20-man R5 eligible list up (RR). No Aneury, which surprised me.

Upon reading the list above - I didn't like much of it. Breit, Caminero, Chirinos (perfect for an 80s TLR squad), and Pino were the four guys that popped out at me. (Maybe Whelan, but he's slipped through before for good reason.)

Buccofans, among a few other sites, has done a nice job previewing the upcoming R5, for those who are interested.

DRaysBay: Catching Up on Rule 5 Catchers

DRaysBay: Potential Rule Five Relievers

I've seen quite a few good posts out and about. [Our Vlad, for instance, did a nice one - though I think he underestimates Chirinos' current value...]

Mike, want to start a promotions thread? Jonathan Lucroy was promoted to AAA today.