mlb teams are facing difficult decisions regarding their 40-man rosters, particularly with the rule 5 draft protection deadline looming. some teams, such as the braves, have already made their decisions, with the braves opting not to make any changes to their 40-man roster, while others, like the brewers, have reassigned players to the minor leagues. the rule 5 draft protection deadline is part of the mlb offseason calendar, with teams weighing which prospects to protect and which to expose to the draft.