Royals Select Braves' Osuna In Rule 5 Draft

by cbwilk on Dec 10, 2009 10:07 AM EST Comment 37 comments

In a move that surprises pretty much nobody who's actually paid attention the last few years the Kansas City Royals selected left handed pitcher Edgar Osuna from the Atlanta Braves in the Major League phase of this year's Rule 5 Draft. Since leaving the Braves to become Kansas City's GM Dayton Moore has coveted former Braves prospects, acquiring seemingly every Atlanta castoff he can get his hands on, from Onil Joseph to Jairo Cuevas, often with little to nothing to show for it, but in Osuna he may have actually gotten a steal.

The Mexican lefty is a crafty pitcher and was rated by Baseball America as having the best changeup in the Braves' system. The Royals will pay the Braves $50,000 for Osuna's rights and must keep him on their Major League roster for the entire 2010 season or offer him back to the Braves for $25,000, a price they would surely pay. Osuna will be just 22 in 2010 and had more success this past season after a promotion to AA Mississippi. Given his stuff it seems likely he'll be able to stick as a situational lefty out of the Royals bullpen and given how poorly the team usually performs he may even be given the chance to work as a starter. Unlike many Rule 5 picks, it seems possible that Osuna might stay a Kansas City Royal.

The Braves didn't gain or lose anyone in the Minor League Phase of the Rule 5 draft, which was much quieter in general than previous years. Former farmhand Jake Stevens, a left handed pitcher who was once highly thought of but released several years ago after succumbing to wildness and ineffectiveness, was selected by the Giants from the Orioles. In the Minor League Phase there are no restrictions, so Stevens is now a member of the Giants organization, regardless of where he plays in 2010.

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yep, not surprising at all. hope it works out for them.

i need a clever signature

by heap16 on Dec 10, 2009 10:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The draft picks we lost from the Soriano debacle seems that much more painful… I fear our farm system may not be as deep as originally thought

HansonManCrush

by HansonManCrush on Dec 10, 2009 10:24 AM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

How can losing theoretical draft picks weaken depth?

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Dec 10, 2009 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess I just like the idea of having as many opportunities as possible to potentially bring in high-ceiling talent… These are the things I worry about when I lose sleep at night lol

HansonManCrush

by HansonManCrush on Dec 10, 2009 10:35 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

actually says we have good depth, no?

my logic being that if we didnt have any depth, Osuna would have been protected by the team. Since they didnt, that means a good prospect hasnt made it to the 40 man roster because we have better players taking up spots.

"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"

by Doghnut on Dec 10, 2009 10:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That’s kind of my thought. Personally I would have protected him over Marek or Brandon Jones or Blanco or Parr or Johnny Venters or Juan Abreu, but the Braves felt they had enough depth they could afford to lose him. And hey, things happen, Osuna could always end up as a Brave again.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Dec 10, 2009 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

With all of this, I agree.

"Four of us wolves, running around the desert together in Las Vegas, looking for strippers and cocaine..."

by jeg on Dec 10, 2009 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Love your syntax!

by secondbass on Dec 10, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

THIS

Abreu just got replaced by Salary Relief Chavez, so that signing seems like a complete waste now since we just doubled down on a fringe middle reliever.

But Marek?! What has he possibly done to warrant being there above Osuna? Talk about holding onto a clearly failed trade return because of the giant piece you gave up. Or Gregor Blanco who has proven himself unworthy of a roster spot when he actually got the chance. Or Brandon Jones, who I think we can all say with a solid certainty will never be given a chance to stick on the 25 man roster.

by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 10, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Salary Relief Chavez is so his name from now on.

"SIGN PUJOLS OR FIRE WREN" ~ Swo12bv

by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 10, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Johnny Estrada sighs with relief

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Dec 10, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Estrada was a great return for a press of the panic button and was arguably a more valuable player for us than millwood was for the phils

by yondaime4 on Dec 11, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ultimately, you are probably right...

Millwood was solid, but nothing great for the Phils. Estrada might have been a little better, but the kicker is the return. Millwood left via free agency (not sure if he was class A or B or what those picks became if so). But Estrada was flipped to Arizona for Lance Cormier and Oscar Villareal. Cormier was dropped, but Villareal was dealt to Houston for Josh Anderson who was dealt to Detroit for Rudy Darrow. The players kind of get progressively worse, but it’s still a long damn line that’s still kicking in the system.

by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 11, 2009 7:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, when you put it that way it’s pretty crazy. Millwood was signed in like 93 or 94 and 17 years later there’s still a player who can connect him to the organization, even though he hasn’t been with the team for the better part of a decade. Wild.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Dec 12, 2009 3:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you baseball reference...

and the transactions info they compile.

And I always liked Millwood, seeing how his descendant’s are still milling around the organization, this makes me an even bigger fan of the big righty. I hope he becomes a big part of an Orioles resurgence.

by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 12, 2009 9:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I love Millwood. I actually met his mom before I met him. I sat next to her at a game in Richmond when he came withing 1 out of a no hitter. She was so nice and proud of her boy. When she found out I collect autographs she just went in her purse, pulled out a card he had signed (from what was at the time a rare blue 1996 Durham set that I didn’t have) and just gave it to me. I got to talk to him a lot that year and the next too even when he was in Atlanta and I’ve always rooted for him.
Since I’m here in VA the O’s are always on TV so it’ll be great to get to watch him a lot again. Gonna have to work a trip to Baltimore to make sure I catch his turn in the rotation.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Dec 12, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It does not appear that the Phils had any extra draft picks in 2005.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Dec 12, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jones' problem isn't that he won't be given a chance.

It’s that he’s not a major league player.

Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE

by MichaelProcton on Dec 17, 2009 8:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

losing a decent pitching prospect certainly does though...

and like said above, considering the Royals general suckiness, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Osuna on their roster all year and maybe make several starts.

In a side note, I think this kills any potential trade market for Jojo Reyes. Damn.

by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 10, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe we could trade...

…Jo-Jo Reyes for Osuna. ;)

by cavebird on Dec 10, 2009 1:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps the “Soriano debacle” should include the pick we lost to the Red Sox to sign Wagner.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Dec 10, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My take is the Braves really didn’t want Soriano or Gonzalez anymore, they wanted Wagner instead, and his signing really had little to do with offering the other two arbitration. They were willing to sacrifice the 1st round pick to have Wagner, regardless of whether or not they got one back with Soriano and Gonzalez. It just backfired a little because Soriano unexpectedly accepted. So instead of draft picks for a player they were moving on without they got a fringe reliever. It happens.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Dec 10, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Only if you mean fringe major-leaguer.

That’s certainly not a guaranteed return from a pick, first-round or not.

Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE

by MichaelProcton on Dec 17, 2009 8:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The 11th pick in the Rule 5 Draft, RHP Zech Zincola, taken by the Blue Jays from the Nationals, was actually a 43rd round pick of the Braves in 2003 but didn’t sign.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Dec 10, 2009 10:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ha...Zechry.

Parents these days.

Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE

by MichaelProcton on Dec 17, 2009 8:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope this motivates Ortegano…

"Hey Fat Kid...the monster is right behind you! RUNNNN!!" -The Host

by bwellnjonesco on Dec 10, 2009 11:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not sure what those two are gonna do without each other.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Dec 10, 2009 11:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I feel shocked.

"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson

by 10-4 on Dec 10, 2009 11:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Jack Stevens?

Cesar Toban: Do you have pictures of your kids?
Jack Stevens: What?
Cesar Toban: I need to see them. I’ll also need their names and the names of their schools. We are trusting you with millions of dollars of coke, Mr. Stevens. Without your children, there is no deal.

Love this movie, guess its why the name sounded familiar.

"Braves fans in the hizzy" -Boog
"Is that like the crib?" - Joe

by GwinnettBraves on Dec 10, 2009 12:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

fail Jake Stevens

"Braves fans in the hizzy" -Boog
"Is that like the crib?" - Joe

by GwinnettBraves on Dec 10, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not exactly clear on the rules for this Rule 5 draft, but do the Braves get any picks? How does that work?

I thought hurricane season was over........

by bravesguy311 on Dec 10, 2009 1:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We get picks like everyone else...

…but we chose not to make any selections. Anyone we take would have to stay on the major league roster all season.

by cavebird on Dec 10, 2009 1:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Quick explanation on the Rule 5 draft

Any minor league player who has been with an organization for at least 5 (hence the name) years without being added to the 40 man roster can be drafted by another team. It’s to keep organizations from keeping players stashed in their minor leagues just to keep other teams from having them. It protects the players and helps with competitive balance.

All teams get an opportunity to purchase any eligible players for $50,000, but that player has to remain on the active roster for the entire season. If they demote him at any point during the first season, the original team may purchase back his contract for $25,000.

So, basically, you can grab guys that you think are ready to play, but if they don’t pan out, you have to send them back, and your organization is out 25k (not really a big deal).

by Bronn on Dec 10, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

AHHAAA, much appreciated.

I thought hurricane season was over........

by bravesguy311 on Dec 10, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is that really why it's named rule 5?

I know the June draft is technically the rule 4 draft so I’m not sure if that’s right.

R.I.P Jazz #6

by was385 on Dec 10, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Checked on wikipedia

You’re right.

I guess I made a connection in my head that wasn’t there.

by Bronn on Dec 10, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One technical thing, it’s 5 season for players signed 18 or younger, 4 for players signed at 19 or older. This is why guys like Hyde and Gunderson were eligible, they were signed as 21 year olds.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Dec 10, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs