64.09 Blazers Sell Players Before Looming Rule 5 Draft

[Bob Breum]

With the Rule 5 draft only two weeks away, teams are forced to make hard decisions as to whom to protect. Players with five professional seasons (or four if signed at age 19 or older) are eligible if they are not a club's 40-man roster. Faced with the prospect of losing players with no compensation, teams will seek trade partners for players whom they elect not to add to their secondary roster.

Montreal recently dealt two minor leaguers who would've been strong candidates to be drafted. They sold centerfielder Carlos Pérez to Valencia for $600,000 and veteran catcher Luis Gonzáles to Vancouver for $250,000.


Carlos Pérez
Pérez, 23, was selected out of junior college by Montreal in the tenth round of the 2060 amateur draft. Last season the left-handed hitter split time between Single-A and AA, hitting .281/.319/.437 (96 OPS+) and .285/.311/.417 (93 OPS+), respectively. He's a speedy outfielder with excellent range, a plus arm, good baserunning instincts, but a shaky glove. He's seen as a leader in the clubhouse.


Luis 'Shameless' Gonzáles
Gonzáles, 31, was originally selected out of college by Jacksonville in the first round (13th overall) of the 2053 amateur draft. Last season the switch hitter split time between AAA and Brook Park, hitting .270/.329/.432 (104 OPS+) and .219/.268/.381 (51 OPS+), respectively. He is an excellent defensive catcher, with strong blocking and framing skills and an elite arm.