At the 2008 Rule 5 Draft, the New York Mets grabbed a 26-year-old away from the Los Angeles Angels. If the name doesn’t immediately jump out, you’ll remember him from his 15-year MLB career. Darren O’Day was an amateur free agent signed by the Angels and for 4 games in 2009, a member of the Mets.
In need of a spot start from Nelson Figueroa, the Mets put O’Day on waivers only to see him leave for the Texas Rangers. And just like that, their Rule 5 Draft risk was over. Adios. Good luck wherever you end up.