That's what I thought. Just seems weird a player could be working out with a team, making strides at spring training, and then just get plucked. I think we see more rule-5 breakout players this year than normal as a result.
Will teams have a chance to shuffle their 40-man roster once things start back up before the Rule 5 draft? Like if Eric Pardinho starts showing good stuff and looks like he could step into a bullpen role would they have a chance to switch him with someone else.
The $50,000 bonus after 3 minor league seasons kind of makes sense. But the $500,000 for making the majors does nothing to help the players toiling away in the minors.
If you have any starters in their 30's that ended the year on the DL you should try moving him first. Might be able to get a draft pick or something out of him. That'll open up another spot so you could keep 3 in theory.
Edgar Martinez had a higher WAR in less games 65.5 (2055 games) vs 51.0 (2408 games), and he had a higher wRC+ than Ortiz. It took him until his 10th and final year to get in.