What is the rule five draft...?

Question

Here is a quote from the Giants webite:
"San Francisco added a left-hander to the bullpen mix Thursday, taking coveted Jose Capellan from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft. The Giants lost lefty Travis Blackley to the Phillies, but they also picked up a shortstop in the Triple-A phase. "
Why is everybody switching prospects? I mean what is the point. I don't get it. Someone please explain

Answer 1

rule 5 draft:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_5_draft

Answer 2

The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to have them play in the majors. The Rule 5 Draft is named for its place in the Professional Baseball Collective Bargaining Agreement. The June Rule 4 draft, known as simply "the draft" or the "amateur draft"

Answer 3

The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to have them play in the majors. The Rule 5 Draft is named for its place in the Professional Baseball Collective Bargaining Agreement. The June Rule 4 draft, known as simply "the draft" or the "amateur draft", is a distinctly different process in which teams select high school and college players.

Answer 4

In the Rule 5 draft, 18 players were selected off Triple-A rosters at a cost of $50,000 each. Players chosen in the draft must stay on the active major league roster with their new club all season or return to their old team for $25,000.

Answer 5

You're only allowed to keep 40 guys on your active roster. If you make a move, you have to drop someone to add someone. Those that have no wiggle room, or options, are considered Rule 5 players. Teams that pick these guys up have to keep them on their 40-man the whole 2008 season or they lose them to the waiver wire, so it's pretty dicey to get into this game!

Answer 6

If you have a great 3rd baseball - Lets say Arod
your minor league 3rd baseball could be really good
but he is never going to play.

The mets are looking for a 3rd baseball - the can rule 5
the prospect for 20,000 and lose nothing
in return.

Answer 7

problematic factor. browse using search engines like google. this might help!

Answer 8

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/columnists/askbarule5.html