The number of years before having to be put on the 40-man roster was changed in 2006, so that players signed at 18 had five years before needing to be added and those signed at 19 or older had four years instead of the four and three it used to be. But even though Cain was drafted in 2004, he was a draft-and-follow whose signing wasn’t announced until late April 2005.

Obviously, if he was signed before he turned 19 on April 13, 2005 he wouldn’t be eligible for the Rule 5 draft because he’s only had a contract for four minor league seasons. But if he signed between April 13 and when it was announced at least eight days later, then he was signed at 19 and only had the four years he’s now put in before needing to being protected.

Maybe they should draft him on December 11, just in case (assuming they don’t want to pluck someone from another team). If he is ineligible, then no harm done. If it turns out he was eligible, then they’ve still got him.