Brian Bruney Traded to Nationals for Rule 5 Pick

Written by Greg Fertel | 07 December 2009

Mark Feinsand is reporting that the Yankees are receiving the Nationals' first overall pick in the upcoming Rule 5 draft in exchange for Brian Bruney. I find this to be very interesting, since the Yankees don't usually get involved with the Rule 5. The Yankees 25 roster spots are valuable commodities, and they can't even afford to waste one of them for the entire season.

What this tells me is that the Yankees have a specific player in mind who they believe can stick with the team and they will take him with the first pick. Over the course of the week, we'll delve into who it could be, but I honestly have no idea. Do you think it will be a starter they can use in the bullpen or another reliever to replace Bruney? My guess is it will be someone the Yanks think they can plug right into the bullpen, because I don't see where anyone else would fit in.

The Rule 5 draft is Thursday, and I look forward to finding out who it is the Yankees had in mind when they made this deal.