Rule 4 (E)

Rule 4 (E) of the Professional Baseball Agreement requires teams to make a formal uniform contract offer to every pick within 15 days of the draft.

In 1996, Bobby Seay challenged the Chicago White Sox, saying no offer was tendered within 15 days. The White Sox relinquished his rights on August 15, and no formal hearing was held. Six other players filed grievances based on the rule. Braden Looper, (St. Louis Cardinals #3), Eric Milton (New York Yankees #20), and A.J. Hinch (Oakland A's 3rd round) all signed before hearings were held. Travis Lee (Minnesota Twins #2), John Patterson (Montreal Expos #5), and Matt White (San Francisco Giants #7) all went through the grievance process and were declared free agents. Lee and Patterson signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seay and White signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, all four receiving much larger bonuses than would otherwise have been available to them. The loophole was closed before the next draft was held.