All articles tagged with #rule 5 draft
MLB has sent teams a memo outlining procedures for a likely lockout starting December 1, when the current collective bargaining agreement expires. The league aims to freeze offseason activity to avoid a player strike during the season. Key issues include the status of the Rule 5 draft, player interactions, and potential impacts on the 2027 season and broadcast revenue.
Seattle promoted 21-year-old Michael Arroyo from Triple-A Tacoma to the majors, clearing roster space by optioning Patrick Wisdom and moving Nick Davila to the 60-day IL; Arroyo is not on Seattle's 40-man roster, a move that also shields him from the Rule 5 draft. Widely regarded as a top prospect with strong contact skills and versatility (primarily a second baseman who has spent significant time in left field this season), he hit .277/.353/.490 with 8 homers, 4 steals and a 16.2% strikeout rate across Double-A/Triple-A in 235 plate appearances. The Mariners, who have struggled to score this year, are hoping Arroyo's bat and flexibility can produce a spark.
Boston promoted 22-year-old Jedixson Paez to the major league roster to start against the Seattle Mariners in Fenway’s next game, part of a four-player shakeup that also reinstates Isiah Kiner-Falefa, designates Brett Harris for assignment, and recalls Eduardo Rivera before placing him on the 60-day injured list. Paez, a Rule 5 pickup back in Boston’s system, has strong minor‑league control and recent success in Worcester; the move comes as Boston fights for the postseason and faces injuries to key players while trying to manage a dangerous Mariners lineup.
Boston promotes 22-year-old right-hander Jedixson Paez from Worcester to make his Red Sox debut tonight, designating Brett Harris for assignment to clear 40-man space. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is reinstated from the 60-day IL and Eduardo Rivera is recalled to the 60-day IL to complete the moves. Paez, a Rule 5 pick who has posted strong minor-league numbers, is expected to contribute after a productive stretch in the minors; Harris, meanwhile, heads to waivers.
MLB has floated a comprehensive CBA package that includes a formal offseason transaction window with a quiet period before the Winter Meetings, a post-Winter Meetings/trades window through December 21, a freeze afterward, and a February reopening to spur more market activity under a cap-and-floor system. It also rewrites the Rule 5 Draft with earlier eligibility, the optioning of the drafted player to the minors, weekly roster restrictions like the postseason (no frequent up/down moves), a 26-man roster with up to 14 pitchers, a reduction of option years from five to four, and shorter injured-list durations (7 days for position players, 14 for pitchers).
Toronto designated infielder Leo Jiménez for assignment (he’s out of options) after he didn’t win the final bench spot, and Angel Bastardo was also DFA’d. Rule 5 pick Spencer Miles earned the last middle-relief slot and will be on the Opening Day roster, while Davis Schneider is expected to fill the bench role. Jiménez is likely to land with another organization via trade or waivers, and Bastardo will go through waivers as Toronto trims its roster.
The Texas Rangers will carry Rule 5 right-hander Carter Baumler on their Opening Day roster, with manager Skip Schumaker delivering the news via a mid-game mound visit that his client had made the team. Baumler, 24, has battled injuries (Tommy John and shoulder surgery) but impressed this spring, posting 9 1/3 shutout innings with strong strikeout and ground-ball rates. If he remains on the major-league roster all season, Texas gains five years of control plus three minor option years; if he’s sent to the minors at any point, he would clear waivers and the Orioles could reclaim him for a nominal sum. Baumler’s workload history and spring performance give him a real chance to stick in the Texas bullpen for now.
Zach McCambley, Philadelphia’s Rule 5 pick, is in a unique spot as spring winds down: he must stay on the Phillies’ big-league roster all season or be offered back to the Marlins. With Opening Day approaching, he’s vying for the final bullpen role against peers like Jonathan Bowlan and Kyle Backhus, and possibly while Orion Kerkering recovers from a hamstring issue. McCambley has a 1.23 ERA in eight spring outings but has walked six, leaving his status uncertain. Manager Rob Thomson says tough decisions lie ahead; if the team can’t trade him or keep him on the roster, he could be designated for assignment and, if he clears waivers, returned to Miami. Regardless, he’s grateful for the opportunity and the chance to learn from veteran teammates in camp.
In the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, the New York Yankees did not lose any players from their Triple-A roster, a reversal from last year when they lost three prospects. While 14 teams made selections in the major-league portion, the Yankees opted not to pick any players despite having room on their 40-man roster. In the minor-league portion, the Yankees lost four players but gained outfielder Luis Durango from the Guardians.
The 2024 MLB Rule 5 Draft is underway, with the Chicago Cubs selecting infielder Gage Workman from the Detroit Tigers in the Major League phase. Workman, a top-30 prospect, must now be kept on the Cubs' 26-man roster for the 2025 season. The Cubs also lost several players in the Minor League phase, including pitcher Richard Gallardo to the Blue Jays, while acquiring new prospects like Wil Jensen and Nolan Clenney. The Rule 5 Draft allows teams to acquire players not protected on 40-man rosters, with specific rules for retention.
The MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas will feature the Rule 5 Draft on December 11, where teams can select eligible players not on a 40-man roster. The draft prevents talent hoarding by requiring teams to keep selected players on their active roster for a year or return them. Notable past successes include Roberto Clemente and Johan Santana. This year's draft order is based on last season's records, with the Chicago White Sox picking first. Players to watch include Sammy Siani, Miguel Ullola, and Bob Seymour.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have opted not to add any eligible players to their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft, risking the potential loss of prospects like catcher Omar Alfonzo and outfielder Sammy Siani. Alfonzo, ranked as the Pirates' No. 26 prospect, is a solid defender with offensive potential but faces competition at the catcher position. Siani, though not a top-30 prospect, has shown promise in the Arizona Fall League and could be a depth option for the Pirates if his performance continues to improve.
The Chicago Cubs have added Owen Caissie and Ben Cowles to their 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft, while designating Adbert Alzolay and Brennen Davis for assignment. Alzolay and Davis, both dealing with injury setbacks, could still be re-signed on minor league deals. Caissie, a promising outfielder, and Cowles, a versatile utility player, are expected to contribute in the future. The Cubs face potential losses in the Rule 5 Draft, but it's unlikely due to roster constraints.
The Detroit Tigers have designated infielder Eddys Leonard and relievers Ricky Vanasco and Brendan White for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster for pitchers Chase Lee, Tyler Mattison, and Tyler Owens, ahead of the Rule 5 draft. Leonard, Vanasco, and White were acquired through trades but have limited major league experience. The new additions, Lee, Mattison, and Owens, are promising bullpen arms with strong minor league performances.
The Boston Red Sox are adding right-hander Hunter Dobbins and outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia to their 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft. Dobbins, a 25-year-old pitcher, had a strong season in Double-A and Triple-A, while 21-year-old Garcia showed power potential across multiple minor league levels. The team will need to clear two spots on their roster to make these additions official.