link That doesn't change the fact that the Cubs could've bagged the whole deal the second before getting that slip of paper, the second after getting that slip of paper, or the second after selecting Hamilton. True, but you better have quite a reason to do so-normally, there's not enough of one to make the other GM's in the league upset by breaking an agreement. I agree. Hendry's too much of a standup guy to go back on his deal. I was just pointing out that nothing was official with the Reds until after Hamilton was Cubs property, and technically, they could've kept him (or offered him back to TB, or not taken him in the first place, etc.). RichHill characterized the situation as being completely out of the Cubs' hands before the pick was even made. That's not true. The Cubs weren't planning to take anyone in the Rule 5. I highly doubt they wasted time scouting potential Rule 5 picks, Josh H. included. You don't just all of a sudden decide to take a player we didn't have room for much less haven't scouted, nevermind the agreement.