MLB Slotting system going forward...

[Navin R Johnson]

Buster Olney tweeted the following:

Not surprisingly, the construction of draft slotting system considered to be no.1 priority of MLB in current labor talks.

then followed it with, Among the entities against slotting system: some agents, Texas Rangers.

I would think pretty much all agents would be against it, but find it curious that the Rangers of all teams would be against it.

Looking at what the top picks got 8+ million, you have to think Crane has his fingers crossed that this gets done.

[Lurch]

Among the entities against slotting system: some agents, Texas Rangers.

I would think pretty much all agents would be against it, but find it curious that the Rangers of all teams would be against it.

How many other owners are former pro ball players?  Any?

[jbm]

It is an interesting topic.  Seems like a lot of teams have decided that acquiring talent through overslotting in the draft, or through the international signings is the way to go.  I had always heard that this was an economical way for small market teams to compete with the big boys.  However, the price of this strategy seems to be increasing rapidly.  I wonder if the draft/international market is simply finding a rational value, or has oscillated too quickly and is becoming over-inflated.

[Navin R Johnson]

How many other owners are former pro ball players?  Any?

I think it has less to do with the former player aspect and more to do with what jbm said.

At some point they are going to reach a breaking point on these signings though, it looks like MLB has reached it. The NFL and NBA already have similar methods in place to cut down signing bonuses. 

[Reuben]

I would think teams like the Yankees and Red Sox would fight to leave it as currently constructed, where they can still throw cash around to sign upper-1st-round-type talent despite having late-1st-round or even no 1st-round picks every year. Perhaps the Rangers see themselves as that kind of team, too.

What'll be really interesting is if they try to implement an international draft; the agents in the DR will all be pretty pissed.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

What'll be really interesting is if they try to implement an international draft; the agents in the DR will all be pretty pissed.

A maybe a couple up in Canada too, eh?

[HudsonHawk]

A maybe a couple up in Canada too, eh?

Canadians are already subject to the Rule 4 draft.

[Fredia]

next thing you know you will tell me they want a team in canada..never will work