This Draft and Comp Picks

[chicoruiz]

Several of my fellow GMs were talking recently, and it was expressed that with this draft class being generally considered to be very poor, we could well be in store for a large number of draft picks going unsigned “accidentally on purpose” because GMs would rather have the corresponding pick next year. This of course will lead to a bloated first round next year.

Is there something in place that I’m not aware of that would keep this from happening?

I know it’s probably too late to do anything for this draft, but I’d like to see a rule where comp picks for unsigned draft picks happen at the end of a round.

No one is accusing anyone of cheating; just taking advantage of a loophole some of us would like to see closed.

Thoughts?

[shoeless.db]

I’m team No Comps. Unnecessary and extra work.

[Dington]

I’m also not a fan of comp picks for unsigned draftees.

[JRamirez]

I’m also not a fan of comp picks for unsigned draftees.

I imagine you don't have any trouble yours.

[JRamirez]

Some GMs don't think this draft class is terrible. You're talking about stopping something you're not sure will happen. There are legitimate reasons to award comp picks. And DM will make every effort to sign her 25th overall pick.

[Krathan]

I don’t like having comp picks either. Part of the draft process should really include considering signability. I would love to see comp picks either go away or move to a spot that impacts the next draft in a less meaningful way.

[Dington]

I’m also not a fan of comp picks for unsigned draftees.

I imagine you don't have any trouble yours.

The high priced guys don’t usually make it to me. And if I were in a position where I didn’t have cash, I’d draft someone I feel I’d be able to sign.

[BaseClogger]

Draft class is fine and could easily be weaker next year. I don’t think any action is necessary.

[shoeless.db]

The rule is dumb, and this is why:

I should 1000% not sign my pick this year (even more dumb for YS and equally dumb for all the guys who picked 4-10). I like the guy I picked, but he’s young and I need the dev engine to be kind to him. By not signing him, I get the fourth pick next year AND likely a very high pick from being shitty in 2062 and likely quite shitty again this year. When the drafts were full of guys needing development this wasn’t that big of deal, but now we’re seeing fully developed guys of all ages in the draft. Why would I take the chance on my guy maybe developing when I can get a for-sure guy next draft. And if I don’t like that draft class, I can just keep floating my pick until I do, only using my comp pick each year. I’m not “throwing away” a year of development because I can draft guys who are BBA ready whenever the hell I want.

Frankly, I’m surprised this is allowed in this league as we usually shut the door on the ability to “game” the game, which this 100% is, especially since we’re playing with open hands — we know our money, we see initial demands of draft eligible guys, and we can even see the next year’s draft class for what it will mostly be like.

It’s silly this is how we do things.

Make the rule now, this season, this draft, before we start signing guys. If a guy complains that he wasn’t planning to sign his guy, I say, “too frickin’ bad”.

[BaseClogger]

It’s a safety valve for new GMs who don’t understand the finances yet. My first year I sold a prospect I had just traded for because I couldn’t afford to sign my picks.

If you float a pick every year you never gain an advantage. The advantage you could gain seems pretty minor to me. There is a price to not getting prospects into your system right away. Floating is like leaving cash under yer mattress instead of investing it.

Also not convinced draft classes will be so developed forever. Might have been a v25 thing.

[aaronweiner]

It’s a safety valve for new GMs who don’t understand the finances yet. My first year I sold a prospect I had just traded for because I couldn’t afford to sign my picks.

If you float a pick every year you never gain an advantage. The advantage you could gain seems pretty minor to me. There is a price to not getting prospects into your system right away. Floating is like leaving cash under yer mattress instead of investing it.

Also not convinced draft classes will be so developed forever. Might have been a v25 thing.

This is truth.

I have a compromise that everyone might like, though.

So if the problem is that teams are floating their draft picks interminably to find a pick they like, let's stop the interminable part first and then discuss if there's anything else to be done later.

My suggestion: if you floated your draft pick last year to this year, you can't do it again for X number of years. This would stop the endless New Orleans-style churn.

That number can be 1 or it can be 2 (but probably not more than 2), but this allows for genuine mistakes. For example: I'm in debt but I got autodrafted a guy with a $7.5 million pricetag. You should be able to get out of that. ONCE.

We did already chop the egregious floating of S1s and 2s and 3s a while ago, and I think it's been better for the league overall, but you can't just go around cancelling out first round picks or forcing people into their autopicks. There needs to be some safety valve.

[shoeless.db]

The only time I can understand the need is with a brand new GM taking over a financially poor team, which can be governed by the GB very simply on a rare case by rare case basis. I’ve yet to hear another reason where it’s necessary and beneficial to the league.

Floating picks is extremely advantageous as you get to pick and choose what draft to get two guys.

I hear your points, but the practice is “gamey” and unnecessary. Just sign your picks and play the game.

[aaronweiner]

Right. Which is why not allowing it two years in a row (or one of three) would largely end the tactic.

You cannot erase #1 picks. Sometimes they’re the only ones that matter. You cannot force people to take their auto picks unless it’s every year, in which case that’s how the person picks. There needs to be some safety valve for the first round and only the first round.

I could also get behind a second provision that only auto picked players can be given compensation in addition to skipping years. If you pick the guy on purpose he’s yours or too bad. But there can’t be nothing.

[recte44]

It’s a safety valve for new GMs who don’t understand the finances yet. My first year I sold a prospect I had just traded for because I couldn’t afford to sign my picks.

If you float a pick every year you never gain an advantage. The advantage you could gain seems pretty minor to me. There is a price to not getting prospects into your system right away. Floating is like leaving cash under yer mattress instead of investing it.

Also not convinced draft classes will be so developed forever. Might have been a v25 thing.

This is truth.

I have a compromise that everyone might like, though.

So if the problem is that teams are floating their draft picks interminably to find a pick they like, let's stop the interminable part first and then discuss if there's anything else to be done later.

My suggestion: if you floated your draft pick last year to this year, you can't do it again for X number of years. This would stop the endless New Orleans-style churn.

That number can be 1 or it can be 2 (but probably not more than 2), but this allows for genuine mistakes. For example: I'm in debt but I got autodrafted a guy with a $7.5 million pricetag. You should be able to get out of that. ONCE.

We did already chop the egregious floating of S1s and 2s and 3s a while ago, and I think it's been better for the league overall, but you can't just go around cancelling out first round picks or forcing people into their autopicks. There needs to be some safety valve.

There already is that rule. Can't get a comp for a comp

[aaronweiner]

It’s a safety valve for new GMs who don’t understand the finances yet. My first year I sold a prospect I had just traded for because I couldn’t afford to sign my picks.

If you float a pick every year you never gain an advantage. The advantage you could gain seems pretty minor to me. There is a price to not getting prospects into your system right away. Floating is like leaving cash under yer mattress instead of investing it.

Also not convinced draft classes will be so developed forever. Might have been a v25 thing.

This is truth.

I have a compromise that everyone might like, though.

So if the problem is that teams are floating their draft picks interminably to find a pick they like, let's stop the interminable part first and then discuss if there's anything else to be done later.

My suggestion: if you floated your draft pick last year to this year, you can't do it again for X number of years. This would stop the endless New Orleans-style churn.

That number can be 1 or it can be 2 (but probably not more than 2), but this allows for genuine mistakes. For example: I'm in debt but I got autodrafted a guy with a $7.5 million pricetag. You should be able to get out of that. ONCE.

We did already chop the egregious floating of S1s and 2s and 3s a while ago, and I think it's been better for the league overall, but you can't just go around cancelling out first round picks or forcing people into their autopicks. There needs to be some safety valve.

There already is that rule. Can't get a comp for a comp

Yeah, but we have people who are calling for no comp picks at all. I’m suggesting that not only can you not get a comp pick for a comp pick (a very good rule) but that if they get a comp pick one year, they can’t keep rolling over their current draft pick indefinitely either.

Example: you roll over your pick to 2064. Your 2064 pick cannot roll over. Or both 2064 and 2065. It ends the long term gamesmanship.

[jiminyhopkins]

Don't worry, I'll sign my guy and leave him to shrivel on the Liberty until he's 26.

No problem!

[ae37jr]

The rule mimics MLB. And if you don't offer slot, you don't get a comp pick. It's purpose is to prevent the player from holding the team hostage.

In our league... Let's say I went on a cruise during the draft, and I got auto'ed an impossible to sign player. Sure, it's my fault for missing the draft. But really? Your going to penalize me for having a life outside of BBA?

[chicoruiz]

The rule mimics MLB. And if you don't offer slot, you don't get a comp pick. It's purpose is to prevent the player from holding the team hostage.

In our league... Let's say I went on a cruise during the draft, and I got auto'ed an impossible to sign player. Sure, it's my fault for missing the draft. But really? Your going to penalize me for having a life outside of BBA?

I can see some sort of appeal process might be needed. But I think getting another first round comp pick far failing to sign one should be the exception rather than the rule.

[jiminyhopkins]

The rule mimics MLB. And if you don't offer slot, you don't get a comp pick. It's purpose is to prevent the player from holding the team hostage.

In our league... Let's say I went on a cruise during the draft, and I got auto'ed an impossible to sign player. Sure, it's my fault for missing the draft. But really? Your going to penalize me for having a life outside of BBA?

Get used to it brother. I got excoriated last season because I don't work a 9-5 job like everyone else.

[shoeless.db]

It’s really frustrating when I’m 100% sure I’m right on something, then people write things that make sense and I have to, once again, remind myself I’m not perfect.