Rule 5 Draft costs Washington Nationals Danny Rosenbaum and Jeff Kobernus - MLB Update
As teams take away prospects from farm systems of the clubs with quality players existing in their Minor League affiliates, Washington Nationals lose their two emerging stars namely Danny Rosenbaum and Jeff Kobernus.
As per the rule, those clubs that have an excessive availability of Minor Leaguers competent enough to appear in the Majors must give some of them to the organisations that need them.
The Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies have picked up Kobernus and Rosenbaum respectively.
Nationals will be unhappy over finding some of their players leave them, because after a couple of years these individuals had to become a source of sustenance of the club.
The starting pitcher, Rosenbaum has an amazing potential to join the rotation of the team in a span of just few years.
His absence will prompt the Nationals to bring changes in their plan of a long-term strategy of the club.
The Rockies will be extremely pleased for getting someone that boasts credentials to become a reliable starter one day at such a low price.
Similarly, Red Sox can feel lucky to have snatched the best Minor League talent of Washington at second-base by acquiring Kobernus.
Assistant General Manager of Washington, Bryan Minniti has expressed how difficult it is to establish Minor League rosters. Identifying talent and hiring young players is not an easy task.
"The challenging thing with the major-league rotation we have is recruiting guys that know they're probably going to end up at Triple-A, barring an injury," Minniti said. "We'll continue to try to sign those guys. But it's going to be a little more difficult
with the rotation we have."
Though disappointed, Minniti is confident they can refill vacant spots in the Minor League again.
Over the last few years, the Nationals have gained the reputation of being a club which thinks long-term. Shutting down Stephen Strasburg in the last season was a reflection of this strategy.
In light of this, the prospects lost in the Rule 5 Draft will dent their preparations for the upcoming seasons.
It will be interesting to see how their management reacts and makes sure they continue signing talented individuals for their farm system.
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