"It was short and sweet -- not to mention upstaged by a very large free-agent signing -- but another Rule 5 Draft came and went with a host of Minor Leaguers hoping their selection will be a ticket to a better future.

Twelve players were taken in the Major League phase, with 25 more going in the Triple-A and Double-A phases of the Rule 5 Draft. During the Major League phase, eligible players left unprotected from their clubs' 40-man rosters could be selected for $50,000. A player selected must now remain on his drafting team's active Major League roster next season or be offered back to the original club for $25,000.

During the Triple-A and Double-A phases it costs less to take a player and there are fewer restrictions when it comes to where someone selected can play the following year. "