For the first time in years, a local beat reporter, Mike McGraw, has explained the crux of the Rule Five draft and what happens to a draftee. I haven’t researched the Cubs recent history with taking players in the Rule Five. However, corner infielder, Gage Workman, has opened eyes at Cubs camp.

A draftee must remain on the drafting team’s 26-man roster (in this case the Cubs) for the entire season-save trips to the IL or be returned to the original team (Detroit) for half the price ($25,000). In reality, the money isn’t significant enough to thwart the deal. The first obstacle for the team drafting is that they have to have the space on their 40-man roster at the time of the draft. Essentially that means letting another player that’s languished in their system with little hope of advancing.

The draft has intrigued me since I started covering the Arizona Fall League in 2006, not for what treasures might be unearthed. Many of the kids I interviewed and featured were in that Rule Five draft limbo. They usually were aware of the precarious status but chose not to talk about it. And I rarely got any idea from the front office folks I talked with about the various prospects’ futures, not that I expected much.

Usually, teams in the early stages of a rebuild are more willing to take a chance on a Rule Five player, they are merely shifting the pawns on their 26-man playing boards. The Cubs have positioned themselves on the cusp of greatness and they don’t have the space for an iffy player even if he’s only the 26th man on the roster. Some teams are willing to take a chance on a pitcher they can stash in the bullpen where there is value in having live arms.

Even if Workman doesn’t make the Cubs roster in late March, he’s proven his worth and increased his likelihood of succeeding at the ML level. His path in Detroit is likely blocked, but Vichave a more valuable trade piece and the Cubs could end up with him after all and could spend time at AAA Iowa if he were to accept the deal.

Not every Rule Five draftee will be as successful as Roberto Clemente, Johan Santana and Shane Victorino (twice), but most players will welcome the opportunity.