Every two decades or so, a very significant player changes hands in the
Rule 5 draft which takes place at the winter meetings next week.
Johan Santana, George Bell and Roberto Clemente are the three big
names. Due to changes in the rules in the newly negotiated collective
bargaining agreement, this will likely be a slow year for the Rule 5
draft. Here is a primer on the rules prior to the changes, and here
is a summary of the changes. Formerly, most college players would have
to be placed on the 40 man roster within 3 years of their signing or
else they would be eligible to be chosen in the Rule 5 draft, whereas
most high school players would have to be placed on the 40 man roster
within 4 years of their signing or else be eligible. Under the
new CBA, the time for most college players has been extended to 4 years
and for most high school players to 5 years. This change has a
number of implications for player development, but for today, let's see
how the Jays' 40 man roster looks with the Rule 5 draft in mind.
[More] (99 words)
Well, it looks like the Jays might be making an early splash. 
