Washington’s Nationals selected 26-year-old right-hander Thaddeus Ward from the Boston Red Sox with the first pick in the Rule 5 Draft last winter, taking a shot that the 5th Round draft pick from 2018, who was ranked 15th in the Sox’ system, could stick in the majors all year.
It was the first Rule 5 pick by the club in 12 years.
As per the rules of the Rule 5 Draft, teams which do select players, “… 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,” at which point, “… 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.