While Braves Country awaits the first significant acquisition of the offseason, the team did make a notable addition to the roster on Monday, adding right-handed pitcher Rolddy Muñoz to the 40-man roster.
The 24-year-old Muñoz posted a 3.98 ERA over 40.2 innings for AA Mississippi this season. It’s unlikely he makes a massive impact on the major-league club next season, but he’s a big arm that could potentially be apart of Atlanta’s bullpen in the future. The reason this transaction is notable is because it protects Muñoz from being selected in the Rule 5 Draft.
The Rule 5 Draft takes place every December, and it offers organizations the opportunity to better their active roster by drafting eligible players from other organizations. Per MLB.com:Â
Held each December, the Rule 5 Draft allows clubs without a full 40-man roster to select certain non-40-man roster players from other clubs. Clubs draft in reverse order of the standings from the previous season. Players signed at age 18 or younger need to be added to their club’s 40-Man roster within five seasons or they become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft. Players who signed at age 19 or older need to be protected within four seasons.
Not every club will make a selection, but those that do pick a player must pay $100,000 to the club from which said player was selected. Rule 5 Draft picks are assigned directly to the drafting club’s 26-man roster and must be placed on outright waivers in order to be removed from the 26-man roster in the subsequent season. Should the player clear waivers, he must be offered back to his previous team for $50,000 and can be outrighted to the Minors only if his original club does not wish to reacquire him.
By adding Rolddy Muñoz to their 40-man roster, the Braves have made him unavailable for the Rule 5 Draft next month.
—
Photographer: Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.