The Red Sox's 40-man roster
BOSTON -- The Red Sox added six players to their 40-man roster before Thursday's deadline, meaning those individuals will be protected during December's Rule 5 Draft.
Kevin Youkilis, the club's most polished hitting prospect, was the most notable addition. Catcher Andy Dominque was also added. Both of those players had their contracts purchased from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Right-handed pitcher Jerome Gamble's contract was purchased from Double-A Portland.
The other three minor leaguers added to the 40-man roster came from outside the organization.
The Sox claimed right-hander Edwin Almonte and left-hander Phil Seibel off waivers from the New York Mets.
And the sixth addition came via the signing of minor league free agent Tim Hamulack. The left-handed pitcher spent last season in the Mariners' farm system.
Infielder Cesar Crespo was taken off the 40-man roster and outrighted to Pawtucket.
The moves put Boston's roster at 35, meaning there are still five slots open.
The 24-year-old Youkilis -- a third baseman -- is playing in Mexico this winter. He spent most of last season at Double-A Portland, where he started his streak of reaching base in 71 consecutive games, tying the minor league record set by Sox first baseman Kevin Millar.
Youkilis moved to Pawtucket on July 29, and he is expected to start there in 2004.
The 28-year-old Dominique is highly regarded, albeit overshadowed by fellow catching prospect Kelly Shoppach. Dominique split his 2003 season between Portland and Pawtucket, hitting .319 with 25 doubles, 16 homers and 78 RBIs.
By placing Gamble on the 40-man roster, the Sox guaranteed that he won't be taken in the Rule 5 Draft for the second consecutive year. The Reds selected Gamble a year ago, but were forced to return him to the Sox because they couldn't find a spot for him on their Opening Day roster.
Gamble, who was taken by the Sox in the fourth round of the 1998 Draft, is 17-12 with a 3.15 ERA in 67 minor league appearances, 58 of which have been starts.
Almonte has been in the minor leagues for six seasons, but made 12 appearances for the Mets in 2003 after being acquired from the White Sox as part of the Roberto Alomar trade.
The 26-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic has been used almost exclusively out of the bullpen, going 22-30 with 89 saves and a 3.10 ERA in 240 minor league appearances.
Seibel was in the Montreal organization before moving to the Mets. The University of Texas product has made 85 minor league appearances -- including 65 starts -- going 27-23 with a 4.06 ERA.
Hamulack was drafted by the Astros in 1995 and also spent time in Florida's farm system, going 8-4 with a 2.88 ERA at Double-A in 2002.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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