Behind the frenzy of the Boston Red Sox trading for White Sox starter Garrett Crochet, the Rule 5 Draft occurred on Dec. 11 at the annual Winter Meetings.
After Boston officially signed reliever Aroldis Chapman on Dec. 10, its 40-man roster is jam-packed. The Red Sox didn't acquire any new players through the Rule 5 Draft, but they lost a few to other clubs.
The Toronto Blue Jays purchased the contract of pitcher Angel Bastardo in the major league portion of the Rule 5 Draft. The Sox lost four players in the minor league draft as well — outfielder Bryan Gonzalez was taken by the Kansas Royals, outfielder Eduardo Lopez will be a Philadelphia Philly, right-handed pitcher Robert Kwiatkowski will go to the Chicago Cubs and outfielder Miguel Ugueto will go to the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
The Red Sox could've protected Bastardo to save him from the Rule 5 Draft, but he's only reached the Double-A level. He needs to occupy a spot on the Jays' 26-man roster for the rest of the season, or risk being subjected to waivers, where the Red Sox can purchase Bastardo's contract back for half the price the Blue Jays acquired it for.
Blue Jays take Red Sox pitching prospect Angel Bastardo in the Rule 5 Draft
OFFICIAL: We've selected RHP Angel Bastardo from the Red Sox in the MLB phase of the Rule 5 Draft.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) December 11, 2024
Welcome to our #BlueJays family! pic.twitter.com/aithzBcq8n
Bastardo posted a 5.36 ERA with 53 strikeouts and 21 walks over 45.1 frames with the Sea Dogs. The 22-year-old will likely miss most of the 2025 season, as his 2024 slate was cut short by Tommy John surgery.
Kwiatkowski is the most noteworthy player the Sox lost in the minor league portion of the draft. The righty had a breakout 2024 campaign — 2.86 ERA in 78.2 innings — and developed a knuckleball two of his fellow Sox prospects called "disgusting."