MLB does away with compensated draft picks

[riverside sluggers]

per rotoworld

According to Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, draft-pick compensation for departing free agents has been eliminated as part of the new CBA set to be announced within the next couple of weeks.

 

It's something the two sides have talked about for years and that it's happening now won't come as a surprise to any teams. Still, it's going to hurt that Alfonso Soriano, Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt will all find new teams without their former clubs receiving anything at all in return. Unfortunately, it was the rich teams, especially Boston of late, that took the greatest advantage of the system. Instead of ditching it altogether, MLB could have tried coming up with a better system, one that actually rewarded the poor teams. Too bad expending effort on something that doesn't involve steroids or an immediate finanical gain is simply beyond the commissioner's office these days.

[example1]

per rotoworld

 

I think that's a stupid thing to say... 'unfortunately'... 'boston'. Would that author rather that Boston continue spending exorbinant amounts on its high-priced talent at the expense of other teams being able to get them? I can see how allowing draft picks to go to the top teams is counter-productive, but don't blame Boston for making that choice and taking advantage of a chance to NOT spend exorbinant amounts of money on guys who aren't worth it.

 

In any case, despite my visseral reaction, I don't see it as unfortunate at all as now the Sox have a crop of young players to build with over the next few years.

[riverside sluggers]

Remember its from rotoworld. The writers of that site like to add in their commentary after reporting sports news

 

I do agree with you, good thing Sox were able to capitalize on compensated draft picks and acquire some of our top prospects

[a700hitter]

According to Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, draft-pick compensation for departing free agents has been eliminated as part of the new CBA set to be announced within the next couple of weeks.

 

It's something the two sides have talked about for years and that it's happening now won't come as a surprise to any teams. Still, it's going to hurt that Alfonso Soriano, Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt will all find new teams without their former clubs receiving anything at all in return. Unfortunately, it was the rich teams, especially Boston of late, that took the greatest advantage of the system. Instead of ditching it altogether, MLB could have tried coming up with a better system, one that actually rewarded the poor teams. Too bad expending effort on something that doesn't involve steroids or an immediate finanical gain is simply beyond the commissioner's office these days.

There goes the FO master plan of rebuilding--- letting our stars walk for nothing but a couple of shots in the dark. I am not greatly troubled by this. I'd rather that they bought some scratch an match tickets and if they hit the big prize to sign an experienced star player.

[ORS]

There goes the FO master plan of rebuilding--- letting our stars walk for nothing but a couple of shots in the dark. I am not greatly troubled by this. I'd rather that they bought some scratch an match tickets and if they hit the big prize to sign an experienced star player.

You've been reminded of this before, so I suspect you'll ignore it once again and continue on with the untruth of, "...only draft picks in return". What they did was replace a type-A FA with a type-A FA, netting a sandwich pick.

 

For those upset with the tone of the snippet, it was spot on. Boston, more so than any other team in recent years, did indeed take advantage of this loophole. It doesn't pain me to say that, in fact, they acted in a way that should give you confidence. They saw a way to take advantage of the system and they did. Unfortunately, the replacements they brought had limited production due to injuries.

[a700hitter]

You've been reminded of this before, so I suspect you'll ignore it once again and continue on with the untruth of, "...only draft picks in return". What they did was replace a type-A FA with a type-A FA, netting a sandwich pick.

 

For those upset with the tone of the snippet, it was spot on. Boston, more so than any other team in recent years, did indeed take advantage of this loophole. It doesn't pain me to say that, in fact, they acted in a way that should give you confidence. They saw a way to take advantage of the system and they did. Unfortunately, the replacements they brought had limited production due to injuries.

I'll take my chances with 10 Scratch and Match Its. The baseball draft moreso than any other professional sport is like is imprecise. You could do just as well throwing darts at a board of names.

[ORS]

I was right. Totally ignored the fact that they got more than draft picks - scratch tickets to you.

[CrespoBlows]

I'll take my chances with 10 Scratch and Match Its. The baseball draft moreso than any other professional sport is like is imprecise. You could do just as well throwing darts at a board of names.

 

I think it was more like, lose Orlando Cabrera to FA, gain two picks. Sign Renteria to FA, lose one pick.

 

Net gain = one pick.

[ORS]

I think it was more like, lose Orlando Cabrera to FA, gain two picks. Sign Renteria to FA, lose one pick.

 

Net gain = one pick.

Don't bother. He thinks he's found a "funny" with his scratch-ticket line, and he's not going to be persuaded by what actually happened.

[riverside sluggers]

There goes the FO master plan of rebuilding--- letting our stars walk for nothing but a couple of shots in the dark. I am not greatly troubled by this. I'd rather that they bought some scratch an match tickets and if they hit the big prize to sign an experienced star player.

 

And one of those stars was Pedro Martinez, whom the Sox made a very smart decision on letting him walk.

 

Compensation for losing Pedro is now the Sox's top pitching prospect, Clay Bucholz

[ORS]

Not so fast. Looks like compensation will still occur, but the system will be changed a little.

 

The deal will not eliminate draft-pick compensation for departed free agents, but the current plan will be modified, the source told FOXSports.com.

 

Link

[a700hitter]

And one of those stars was Pedro Martinez, whom the Sox made a very smart decision on letting him walk.

 

Compensation for losing Pedro is now the Sox's top pitching prospect, Clay Bucholz

If letting him walk was smart, that should stand on its own merits. Whether we got picks. That's like getting a party favor or consolation prize. If some of the picks work out-- none have so far, it will attributable as much to luck as to skill, e.g. Hansen has proved nothing at the ML level except that he doesn't belong here.

[Gom]

I truthfully don't understand why baseball did this. Irrespective of how the Red Sox exploited this loophole, or the fact that it costs my beloved Yankees countless picks, I don't get it. How does a move like this help the poorer teams?

 

Someone please explain to me how this deletion is GOOD for baseball.

 

The link above by One Red Seat states that it will be changed. Does anyone know how?

[ORS]

Getting rid of the compensation picks isn't good, IMO. However, the system does need changing because of the loophole. I think they should award compensation picks based on the Free Agent market net gain for teams. If a team lets a type-A walk and signs a type-A replacement, the net is zero, so they should get zero compensation.

[26 to 6]

Funny how when it seems like the Yankees are starting to shy away from just going out and signing the best Free Agents that a change in the system occurs. Too bad this wasn't incorporated into the 2002 CBA, would have saved us a bunch of picks.

 

But seriously. from a general standpoint I always thought compensation was a good idea. I'm curious to see how it's modified.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

If they do away with it, then I would guess the Yankees would pick up Sheffield's option.

[26 to 6]

If they do away with it' date=' then I would guess the Yankees would pick up Sheffield's option.[/quote']

My first thought too. I would rather trade Sheffield and get SOMETHING for him than let him go with no compensatory draft pick.

[ORS]

Given his recent injury, who's going to want Sheffield at $13M? I would imagine there aren't many takers there. So, they'll have to play him to start the year to prove himself recovered. Of course, if he's playing well, why would they want to trade him? I just don't see that scenario happening.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Given his recent injury' date=' who's going to want Sheffield at $13M? I would imagine there aren't many takers there. So, they'll have to play him to start the year to prove himself recovered. Of course, if he's playing well, why would they want to trade him? I just don't see that scenario happening.[/quote']

 

IDK teams like the Astros and Padres who are starved for offense I could see wanting Sheffield. It might be 13 mill but its a 1 year deal. Its not like they are locked into him for 3 years. I think Sheffield at 13 for 1 is better then Carlos Lee or Alfonso Soriano at 13-15 for 5 years.

[ORS]

IDK teams like the Astros and Padres who are starved for offense I could see wanting Sheffield. It might be 13 mill but its a 1 year deal. Its not like they are locked into him for 3 years. I think Sheffield at 13 for 1 is better then Carlos Lee or Alfonso Soriano at 13-15 for 5 years.

Right now, those guys aren't question marks like Sheffield is. When healthy, I'd rather have his bat than either of theirs, but his ability to recover from a wrist injury is still in doubt. Those are the trickiest injuries for hitters to deal with, and Sheffield's heavy bat action doesn't help things. I think this is nothing more than wishful thinking from you guys. At that salary with that injury, he's got to have next to no trade value right now.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Right now' date=' those guys aren't question marks like Sheffield is. When healthy, I'd rather have his bat than either of theirs, but his ability to recover from a wrist injury is still in doubt. Those are the trickiest injuries for hitters to deal with, and Sheffield's heavy bat action doesn't help things. I think this is nothing more than wishful thinking from you guys. At that salary with that injury, he's got to have next to no trade value right now.[/quote']

I dont view either Lee or Soriano as 15 million dollar players which is what they likely will get (unless something strange happens). It comes down to this:

 

Take a chance that Sheffield recovers (Which he already has its just a matter of will he hit like he has in the past and I think he will) have him for only 1 year at 13 mill and trade a couple of low level prospects. I know we arent getting Homer Bailey for him.

 

or

 

Sign Soriano or Lee at 15 for 5 years and know that you arent going to get 15 million dollars worth of production (which is backed up by their career numbers).

 

IMO A healthy Sheffield at 13 for 1 year is a bargin.

[ORS]

I think Soriano is. He changed my mind this year. He was actually above average defensively in the OF, and with his speed and arm, I think he profiles as a CF. When you can get 40/40 and a .900 OPS from a CF, he's worth that kind of coin.

 

I don't see Carlos Lee costing that much, honestly.

[jacksonianmarch]

wow, I missed this. This is a huge benefit to big teams. Wow.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

I think Soriano is. He changed my mind this year. He was actually above average defensively in the OF, and with his speed and arm, I think he profiles as a CF. When you can get 40/40 and a .900 OPS from a CF, he's worth that kind of coin.

 

I don't see Carlos Lee costing that much, honestly.

 

EH, I need to need more from him then 1 season in his contract year and there is no garentee that a team signs him to play CF. I thought I heard Soriano the other day reject a 5 year 70mill deal. Lets say Soriano sets the market and he gets 15 per season(That might be modest, he has to be aiming way higher then just 15 if he rejected 14 per year) do you think Carlos Lee is settling for much less then that?

[ORS]

A mere 3 years ago Vladdy and Sheff signed for $14M and $13M respectively. Does Lee's game compare to either of them 3 years ago? I think they were both better in every facet of the game, and they played a more premium position. Given his defensive liability, I don't see Lee getting much more than $12M per, and if he does it's a mistake.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

A mere 3 years ago Vladdy and Sheff signed for $14M and $13M respectively. Does Lee's game compare to either of them 3 years ago? I think they were both better in every facet of the game' date=' and they played a more premium position. Given his defensive liability, I don't see Lee getting much more than $12M per, and if he does it's a mistake.[/quote']

The market changes every year. Back in 2001 if both were free agents they would have have made around 20 mill per year.

 

Based on some of the free agent signings last year I think the market is headed in that direction again. A.J. Burnett will make 12 mill next year. Is he a 12 million dollar pitcher? Both Billy Wagner and B.J. Ryan will make as much money as Mariano Rivera. Are they both as good as Rivera? The only big named OF that I can remember that was on the market last year was Johnny Damon and he signed for 13 mill a year.

[ORS]

The market for pitching doesn't compare to the market for position players. Damon plays a more important defensive position, so his offense is more valuable. Damon had a 41 VORP last year (41 and 43 the years prior). CLee had a 27.

 

EDIT: Sorry, CLee was 46 VORP runs total (19 from TEX). So, maybe he gets Damon money.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

The market for pitching doesn't compare to the market for position players. Damon plays a more important defensive position' date=' so his offense is more valuable. Damon had a 41 VORP last year (41 and 43 the years prior). CLee had a 27.[/quote']

If Soriano moves to CF and puts up a 900 OPS he then is a better player then Damon so he should get more then Damon. If Soriano sets the market over 15 mill do you really think Lee is going to take 10 mill which is at best what he should get (and what Damon should really be making also) or as you know will there be a team out there who needs a bat and will give Lee even more. OBV if Soriano plays CF and is good at it hes way more valuable however I dont think Carlos Lee's agent is going to see it that way. I think we both agree Lee should not sniff that money but what we think and what the owners do with their money are 2 different things.

 

 

My point on the pitching is it doesnt really matter if you are better then a player that signed a contract 3 years ago the market changes. I think there is alot of money on the market this year with teams like the Padres, and Angels already saying they are going to increase payroll.

[ORS]

My point on the pitching is it doesnt really matter if you are better then a player that signed a contract 3 years ago the market changes. I think there is alot of money on the market this year with teams like the Padres' date=' and Angels already saying they are going to increase payroll.[/quote']

Yes, the market does change, as is evidenced by the pitching market. Mediocrity seems to be getting rewarded right now due to the shortage of good pitching. My point is that the position player market has not yet gotten so desperate that mediocre players are driving the price up. At some point that will happen again, but I don't see it yet.

[riverside sluggers]

I dont view either Lee or Soriano as 15 million dollar players which is what they likely will get (unless something strange happens). It comes down to this:

 

Take a chance that Sheffield recovers (Which he already has its just a matter of will he hit like he has in the past and I think he will) have him for only 1 year at 13 mill and trade a couple of low level prospects. I know we arent getting Homer Bailey for him.

 

or

 

Sign Soriano or Lee at 15 for 5 years and know that you arent going to get 15 million dollars worth of production (which is backed up by their career numbers).

 

IMO A healthy Sheffield at 13 for 1 year is a bargin.

 

Sheffield would be a hard sell to teams. Cashman would have to accept a trade of low-impact players and take on a considerable share of $13 million that is owed to him next season. It would be cheaper & less of a headache altogether to just buy out his option year