Features for Draft

[SouthernYankee]

I was listening to the first year draft about a week ago on MLB.com Radio. I noticed something that would be interesting to see if we could add to BBM.

1. Let's say I only want to draft two players. So I draft round one and two. Currently if I quit the draft the computer makes the remaining picks...I don't like this. So do what MLB does. instead of letting the AI make the remaining picks have the option changed to pass or something similar. If I choose this I get no more picks for the rest of the draft.

In the MLB draft once a team passes they give up all remaining picks and can not draft any more. Once all teams have passed the draft is over.

2. We probably couldn't implement the draft situation the MLB has where if a team loses an FA they get two extra picks...this made no sense to me and probably requires more investigation, but for BBM purposes how about letting us trade picks up to say three drafts in the future.

For example, I start in 2004 and I know I'm not going to need to draft all rounds so I can trade off my picks for say young talent. I trade my round one pick for 2005, 2006 and 2007 for prospects.

This would probably also let us expand the draft beyond six rounds to say ten rounds.

[GM24]

You can release anyone making the minimum free of charge. So, if you dont like someone the computer drafted, release him.

Trading draft picks would have to be worked into the AI and would create balance issues. It hampers the development of weaker teams
I think there should be some sort of compensation in the draft so that teams can rebuild their team. If a poor team, like the Marlins, lose their LF and RF in free agency and dont have the money to pursue a free agent, then they can at least have a compensatory draft pick geared toward filling this need.

The problem with awarding two picks is that this is a minor league draft, not an amateur draft, and that players in it have proven themselves able to play the game of baseball. There isnt nearly as much risk in this BBM draft as there is for real.

Besides that, pretty much anyone drafted in the top 10 is guarenteed to be an all-star, or at least have a long career. So any pick rewarded shouldnt be a high one.

So let's say:
The Yankees get upset by the Angels in the 1st round, and a ticked George Steinbrenner signs 2B Jose Vidro from the Expos to a 6 year 70 mil contract.

Vidro hit .310 with 20 HR, and he plays 2B. So lets say he's a class A player.

As a result the Yankees lose their 1st round draft pick. But the Expos dont get that pick. Instead the 6 teams that pick after the Yankees move up a pick, which leaves the 30th pick free.

The Expos, coming off a bad season, picked 5th, and have another selection with the 30th pick.

This does two things. It doesnt give a human player extra incentive to either trade Jose Vidro to the Giants in hope of bankrupting them (always fun) or to not resign them, and it forces the human in control of the Yankees to chose between rebuilding through young talent or to sign free agents.

I wouldnt anticipate a change like this to happen until next version, if ever.

[boomboom]

also you cant trade draft picks in the MLB...the only way of getting extra is stated above...if you sign a class A player!