Sneaky SOB or Wily GM? You Decide.

In the majors, there are rare trades involving Rule 5 draft picks. As stated here, "Occasionally, the drafting club will work out a trade with the player's original team, allowing the drafting club to retain the player but send him to the minors. Pittsburgh Owner/GM Mack Shultz has now brought that concept to the OEL.

Pittsburgh and Sylva agreed today to a deal that will allow Pittsburgh to send Rule 5 pick pitcher Joseph Basho to the minors. The transaction will be made through a trade back and forth. Pittsburgh will send Basho and $500,000 to Sylva in exchange for 3B Johnnie Tobias. Then, Sylva will send Basho back to Pittsburgh in exchange for Tobias. In essence, all that changes hands is the $500,000, which Sylva gets to keep. However, after the trade, Pittsburgh will be able to send Mr. Basho to the minors, as the trade somehow removes the game's block on demoting Rule 5 picks.

"It's a good deal for everyone involved," said Shultz. "Basho gets to continue his needed development in the minors. The Pisces get some roster flexibility in support of our unexpected start. And, Sylva finally gets in the black financially and can stop bouncing checks. Win-win-win."

Shultz would not comment on whether he intended to propose similar deals for the Pisces' other two Rule 5 draft picks, saying only, "We'll see what the Pisces' future needs are and act accordingly. We're happy with the make-up of our club right now."