FOX Sports Exclusive
Sources: Execs split on changes to draft
Share This Story
Changes to baseball's amateur draft are coming, and some teams already are unhappy about the limits on spending that will take effect under the sport's new collective-bargaining agreement.
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
Don Mattingly proves that great players can succeed as first-time skippers, Ken Rosenthal says.The CBA is not yet complete, but some general managers already are aware of new rules that will penalize clubs for exceeding a certain threshold in spending for each draft class.
While commissioner Bud Selig and the clubs pushed for the new restrictions, executives are not unanimous in their desire to see such changes implemented, major-league sources say.
The changes, one executive said, “are incredibly short-sighted and will hurt many clubs.”
Another executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, said teams should maintain “the right to choose their course” – and if spending heavily on draft picks is their preference, they should be allowed to pursue that strategy.
Under the CBA, teams will be permitted to spend as much as they would like on individual picks, but will be penalized in progressive fashion if the total for their entire draft class exceeds a certain threshold.
A team that exceeds the threshold by a small amount will pay a tax, sources say. A team that exceeds the threshold by a larger amount also will lose a first-round pick. After that, additional penalties will apply.
In theory, the restrictions should benefit the low-revenue clubs, preventing high-revenue clubs from splurging on amateur talent by exceeding the commissioner’s slot recommendations in the lower rounds.
The Pirates, however, are an example of a club that has invested heavily on the draft in an effort to hasten their rebuilding process. The team spent $17 million on its 2011 draft, according to Baseball America — a major-league record.
The Cubs, meanwhile, are an example of a high-revenue team that might find the new rules frustrating. The team hired new general manager Theo Epstein in part because of his success with the draft when he was GM of the Red Sox.
One exec said the new rules would create “unintended consequences” that go even beyond the increased difficulty that clubs would face in trying to accelerate their rebuilding programs.
“More of the industry’s revenues will be funneled to major-league payroll,” the exec said. “If teams can’t spend on amateur talent, won’t that effectively inflate major-league salaries since that is the primary – or only – other avenue to get talent?”
Teams spent a total of $236.1 million on the draft in '11, an increase from $201.8 million in '10, according to Baseball America. Selig originally sought "hard slotting" — predetermined bonus amounts — in the CBA. The union resisted, and the coming changes amount to a compromise.
More Stories From Ken Rosenthal
Trending Now
-
Report: UFC Octagon vixen arrested
Report: UFC Octagon vixen Arianny Celeste arrested. -
Skydiver dies after both chutes fail
A veteran skydiver died in a horror accident in Australia over the weekend, when both... -
Dario Franchitti wins 2012 Indy 500
Dario Franchitti holds off late charge, wins third Indy 500. -
Two killed as rally car strikes crowd
A race car went out of control on a rural Irish road and crashed into a crowd of abou... -
Report: Vick event sparks backlash
A seemingly innocuous visit from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick caused ...
MLB Videos
Dodgers drop Astros
Posted: May 27, 2012
Matt Treanor talks with Prime Ticket about Chris Capuano's performance leading t...
Matt Treanor talks with Prime Ticket about Chris Capuano's performance leading t...
Rays rock Red Sox
Posted: May 27, 2012
Sean Rodriguez talks after his game-winning HR in the Rays' 4-3 win in Boston.
Sean Rodriguez talks after his game-winning HR in the Rays' 4-3 win in Boston.
Tigers top Twins
Posted: May 27, 2012
Miguel Cabrera talks with FOX Sports Detroit after the Tigers' 4-3 win over the ...
Miguel Cabrera talks with FOX Sports Detroit after the Tigers' 4-3 win over the ...
MLB Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Cubs/browse/featuredproduct/250780/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_250000/FF_250780_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.95 | Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue |
| Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Red_Sox/browse/featuredproduct/605356/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605356_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt |
| New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/605557/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605557_xl.jpg&w=100 | 16.95 | New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat |
| Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oakland_Athletics/browse/featuredproduct/606322/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt |
| Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Philadelphia_Phillies/browse/featuredproduct/626447/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_626000/ff_626447_xl.jpg&w=100 | 29.95 | Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet |
| New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Colorado_Rockies/browse/featuredproduct/644117/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_644000/ff_644117_xl.jpg&w=100 | 28.95 | New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat |
| Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Texas_Rangers/browse/featuredproduct/722692/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722692_xl.jpg&w=100 | 69.95 | Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch |
| Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/723016/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_723000/ff_723016_xl.jpg&w=100 | 39.95 | Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoo.. |
| Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim/browse/featuredproduct/777026/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_777000/ff_777026_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.