Should MLB allow teams to trade draft picks?

[ring403]

http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2447990

In Ken Rosenthal's latest column, he takes the position that baseball should allow teams to trade draft picks, ala the NFL. His reasoning is that baseball is more of a crapshoot than sports like football, and that smarter, more knowledgeable teams would get an advantage, regardless of budget. Also, it would add excitement, and intrigue to draft day.
Is this a good idea? Why, or why not?

[WakefieldsKnuckler49]

Originally posted by ring403
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2447990

In Ken Rosenthal's latest column, he takes the position that baseball should allow teams to trade draft picks, ala the NFL. His reasoning is that baseball is more of a crapshoot than sports like football, and that smarter, more knowledgeable teams would get an advantage, regardless of budget. Also, it would add excitement, and intrigue to draft day.
Is this a good idea? Why, or why not?

Nothing will excite people to draft day until A) People start watching college baseball and knowing who these kids are, and B) ESPN airs at least the first few rounds.

[ring403]

Originally posted by WakefieldsKnuckler49


Nothing will excite people to draft day until A) People start watching college baseball and knowing who these kids are, and B) ESPN airs at least the first few rounds.

I'm not sure that a majority of NFL fans also follow college football. I know a bunch of NFL fans who don't watch college ball at all. They might know some of the top names on the board, but not much beond that.
I think the possibility of the Yankees and Red Sox both trying to make a move at a high draft slot to get, let's say, a Jared Weaver, would generate alot of interest from ESPN, and the rest of the media.
I could see a Mel Kiper equivilent hyping up the better players in the weeks leading up to the draft.

[Yanks21]

College baseball and the amatuer draft have both been generating increasing interest over the last couple of years. An estimated 1.2 million people listened to parts of the draft on MLB Radio last year. It's becoming more of an event, but you won't ever see it become huge affairs like the NFL, NBA, and the NHL drafts. It's too many rounds and the picks are made within 30 seconds of eachother. However, it's perfect for radio...

I think trades should be allowed. I also think that a cap on bonuses is needed. Furthermore, when a team loses a Type-A free agent to one of the teams picking in the top half of the draft an additional sandwich round pick should be awarded...

[WakefieldsKnuckler49]

Originally posted by Yanks21
College baseball and the amatuer draft have both been generating increasing interest over the last couple of years. An estimated 1.2 million people listened to parts of the draft on MLB Radio last year. It's becoming more of an event, but you won't ever see it become huge affairs like the NFL, NBA, and the NHL drafts. It's too many rounds and the picks are made within 30 seconds of eachother. However, it's perfect for radio...

I think trades should be allowed. I also think that a cap on bonuses is needed. Furthermore, when a team loses a Type-A free agent to one of the teams picking in the top half of the draft an additional sandwich round pick should be awarded...

I would listen to the draft if I had some background on the players, anyone know where there is like a draft board of who might go where, and descriptions? I'd really like to read up on this.

[WakefieldsCrewSox]

While the example of Jared Weaver was used, I would say he is the exception rather than the rule given that he is Jeff Weaver's brother. I def think college football has a much bigger following than college baseball, and the problem with interest in a college baseball draft is (I believe) that there are something like 50 rounds. With so many baseball players, many of whom noone has ever heard of, I'm not sure how much interest will be generated in the draft.

[parkerstrong]

i think they should be allowed to trade draft picks. remember when mark prior was coming out of college and the twins couldnt afford him? the yankees could have made a trade with the twins so the twins get the most out of their pick. they still got a blue chip prospect in mauer, but if they traded down they could have gotten more. they also could have (maybe) forced the cubs to trade up one spot so they could get prior. it would have been an unique situation.

[ConnYanksFan]

Originally posted by ring403
I'm not sure that a majority of NFL fans also follow college football.

Which is sad. I usually find myself looking forward to a day of college football on Saturday more than a day of the NFL on Sunday. People here in the northeast are missing out on a great game by largely ignoring college football.

[ring403]

Originally posted by Yanks21
It's becoming more of an event, but you won't ever see it become huge affairs like the NFL, NBA, and the NHL drafts. It's too many rounds and the picks are made within 30 seconds of eachother. However, it's perfect for radio...

I certainly don't expect all 50 rounds to be televised. The first 2 or 3, to start with, would be feasible, IMO. Obviously, if trades were to be allowed, the time between picks would have to be increased, probably to 15 min. like the NFL. Similarly, the time could be decreased in later rounds, where trades would be much less frequent.
Like I said before, if trades were allowed, I think the national media would be much more interested in talking about, and profiling the better prospects, in the weeks leading up to the draft.

[MaineSoxFan]

Originally posted by ring403


I certainly don't expect all 50 rounds to be televised. The first 2 or 3, to start with, would be feasible, IMO. Obviously, if trades were to be allowed, the time between picks would have to be increased, probably to 15 min. like the NFL. Similarly, the time could be decreased in later rounds, where trades would be much less frequent.
Like I said before, if trades were allowed, I think the national media would be much more interested in talking about, and profiling the better prospects, in the weeks leading up to the draft.

I feel that even if it didn't get more interest from TV, it would allow teams more flexibility to trade players as well. I think it makes a lot of sense.

[deranged2005]

I think a major part of why people really don't care about the MLB draft is the kids you draft won't be in the majors right away. It could happen in the NFL, but its not likely. Happens in the NBA, but not in baseball.

And yes, I do believe the MLB should allow teams to trade draft picks. Heck, midseason and offseason trades would probably become easier. Trade a decent player plus a 1st round draft pick for an all star. It could work.

[Yanks21]

Originally posted by WakefieldsKnuckler49


I would listen to the draft if I had some background on the players, anyone know where there is like a draft board of who might go where, and descriptions? I'd really like to read up on this.

Here are a couple of sites that may be of interest:

http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewFeature...e.do?draftId=2

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/dr...2004/index.jsp

For the MLB site, check the draft tracker area. Some of the better prospects have scouting reports...

Also, if you see a particular prospect of interest, run the name through google news and you'll usually get some good stuff...