Baseball America has the results of the 2009 Rule 5 Draft. Here are the first five picks:
The New York Yankees acquired the 1st pick Hoffman for reliever Brian Bruney, and the Texas Rangers acquired the 3rd pick Snyder along with reliever Chris Ray for starting pitcher Kevin Millwood.
The Atlanta Braves signed right-handed reliever Takashi Saito to one-year deal worth $3.2 million and another possible $2.3 million in incentives.
Saito will set up free agent signee Billy Wagner for the Braves, making for a fragile 8th-9th combo. The 39 year-old has been anything but outstanding in his 4 seasons since coming to America. Expect more of the same if he can keep from injuries.
The Philadelphia Phillies signed infielder Placido Polanco to a three-year deal worth $18 million and a mutual option for 2013.
Polanco has played second base for the past several seasons, but does have experience at third. He should make the transition comfortably and become one of the better defensive third baseman in the league next season. Polanco’s glove may be capable of handling the transition, but I’m not so sure about his bat. The infielder hit a reasonable .285/.331/.396 at second base last season, but among third baseman, that is hardly compensated for by his defense.
In short, the Phillies would have been better off re-signing Pedro Feliz, or acquiring another defensive-minded third baseman than spending $18 million on Polanco.
The Atlanta Braves signed left-handed reliever Billy Wagner to a one-year deal worth $7 million, with a vesting option for 2011 worth $6.5 million.
The Braves need to replace free agent Mike Gonzalez, and Wagner proved with the Red Sox last season that he still is a capable reliever. If Wagner can stay healthy, this looks like a nice deal for the Braves.
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired catcher Kelly Shoppach from the Cleveland Indians for a player-to-be-named-later.
The Indians really sold low on a quality backstop. Despite Shoppach’s lackluster 2009, I’m surprised the Indians couldn’t find a better return. Shoppach will start for the Rays, and likely end Dioner Navarro’s tenure with the team. Navarro should garner some interest in the trade market, but if the Rays cannot find any takers they could just non-tender him.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a one-year deal worth $2.75 million with a club option for 2011.
Gonzalez isn’t going to propel the club to the top of the league, but he solidifies a position the Jays have struggled to fill the past few seasons (with the exception of Scutaro last year).
The Oakland A’s signed third baseman Dallas McPherson to a Minor League deal. The 29-year-old third baseman missed all of last season.
Despite putting up outstanding numbers in his Minor League career (.296/.384/.586), McPherson has yet to receive a legitimate opportunity for a Major League job. The third baseman will compete for the starting job in Oakland with Eric Chavez battling a career threatening back injury. If he can post a batting average above .250, McPherson could have a breakout season in Oakland.