You're acting as if that was a standing agreement the Cubs always had to be in-line with. They didn't have to come to that agreement. And they could have done a better job scouting him, to find out themselves that Hamilton was ready to turn things around. Knowing how early their pick was, they could have done so on their own. Why would the Cubs be scouting an OF in the Rule 5? Edit: And when Hamilton puts up 2 full years of decent numbers, then I'll call him legit.