Entry Draft Rules (RC Members only Please)

[BHows]

The only point I don't agree with is that when an EDR player is traded, he goes to the acquiring teams 40 man.
I guess there's a reason why this was done; I just don't know what that reason is. Anyone care to elaborate?

[Brewers GM]

The original EDR concept was the value of most players in the draft are not worthy of being rostered given our league setup, but we wanted to maintain a strong entry draft.  As such, we made strict rules to preserve the value of players you draft. 

That's the basis behind the current EDR rules.

[Colby]

The force to the MLB roster during a trade incentives true farming by fantasy GMs.

[BHows]

The force to the MLB roster during a trade incentives true farming by fantasy GMs.

Point well taken, that MiLB players traded late in the season are likely protected. But how many off-season deals have there been with MiLB players as "throw-ins" and not put on the receiving teams 40-man?
If that is the intent, fine, let's leave it as is. IMO though it is a deal breaker in a lot of instances. It would  discourage me knowing I would have to release a player from my 40 man roster for an "A" player that might be 3 years away.

[Flash]

The original EDR concept was the value of most players in the draft are not worthy of being rostered given our league setup, but we wanted to maintain a strong entry draft.  As such, we made strict rules to preserve the value of players you draft. 

That's the basis behind the current EDR rules.

In relation to the point made above, and keeping in mind the current practice BHows is referring to, why couldn't an EDR acquired in a trade simply replace someone on the roster of 20 EDRs every team has?  We are still having to make a decision regarding who should be protected and who should be released.  With that, if a team chooses to bid on a player who is released, or a minor league player in the free agent pool who is not an EDR, then they would have to keep that player on their 40 man roster.  This discussion only pertains to players who are currently rostered as EDRs.

IMO, the competitive balance of the league is hurt by the fact that many of the lower echelon teams have 40 man rosters filled with minor league players who have not played at the major league level at all.  In my case, I don't have a problem promoting an EDR who has MLB experience and having to make a decision whether they are worth keeping if they are shipped to the minors.  Like many of us, I have players who are really EDRs and are years away from the majors, but because of our current rules, I am forced to use a 40 man roster space and cap space, or I will lose them.

Wouldn't it help the competitive balance of the league if we could fill a roster spot with a player who can actually give us some fantasy points instead of with a player who should be part of our EDR roster?  We have strict rules about contract obligations and releasing players, wouldn't it make more sense to have to drop a 40 man roster player if, and when an EDR is promoted? 

Maybe I'm missing something, but since we're on the subject I thought I'd offer an opinion.

[Brewers GM]

We have strict rules about contract obligations and releasing players, wouldn't it make more sense to have to drop a 40 man roster player if, and when an EDR is promoted?

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this comment - you can choose either to cut the promoted EDR player or make room for him on your 40-man roster (by cutting or trading one of those players)

[Flash]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this comment - you can choose either to cut the promoted EDR player or make room for him on your 40-man roster (by cutting or trading one of those players)

I am aware that that we currently have to make such a decision regarding an EDR promotion under our current system of rules.  That is not what I am referring to. 

I will give you an example to illustrate my point.  The Brewers and the Giants agree to this trade (remember it is only to illustrate a point).

Brewers trade:
SP Shields, James, $3m (2014)

Giants trade:
EDRs
SP Giolito, Lucas, $0.5m (P-n/a) ETA 2016
SP Conley, Adam, $0.5m (P-n/a) ETA 2014

The Brewers have a 40 man roster and the Giants have 39.  The Giants receive a player who is on a MLB 25 man roster.  The Brewers get two EDRs that are projected to be in the Majors in 2014 and 2016.  Giolito is a top 100 prospect, but his ETA is 2016.  Conley is the #6 prospect in his organization, but his ETA is 2014.  Wouldn't it make more sense for the Brewers to release 2 of his EDRs and replace them with Giolito and Conley and await their development and then fill the two open spots on the 40 man roster with players who are actually in the majors to help his team score points?   Doesn't mean he has to cut an EDR, maybe he promotes one who he thinks is nearer promotion to the big leagues and adds him to his 40 man roster instead of losing him--the difference is that is the Brewers choice and not mandated like it is under our present rules. 

Then, as I tried to explain earlier, when either Giolito or Conley need to be promoted, the decision whether to add them to the 40 man roster can be made.  I just don't see why we have to keep an EDR we acquire in a trade on our 40 man roster when they do not have any MLB experience.

[Brewers GM]

Ok, I understand the argument.  Part of the reason is it is the way it is now is to value to the players you draft.  While they are groomed they will not have as much value to any other team as they do to yours (since only you can keep them on the EDR), again in attempt to escalate the importance of your own draft.  Prospects you draft have more value than those you can acquire via trade or FA.

I admit bias as I proposed all of the current draft and EDR rules.  I'm not adamantly against changing it, but I think there's value in the way it is now (as opposed to the undrafted rule which was obsolete).  I have an overall preference that we no longer tweak the rules - we should only modify them when critical.

[shooter47]

Doesn't mean he has to cut an EDR, maybe he promotes one who he thinks is nearer promotion to the big leagues and adds him to his 40 man roster instead of losing him--the difference is that is the Brewers choice and not mandated like it is under our present rules. 

A team can choose to call up a player from their EDR before he makes his major league debut. The rule only states that as soon as a player makes a debut he must be called up so that players don't sit in a teams EDR. During the draft a team could choose to call up a person from the EDR to their 40 man roster to open up a roster spot on their EDR for a drafted player.

Shooter

[Flash]

A team can choose to call up a player from their EDR before he makes his major league debut. The rule only states that as soon as a player makes a debut he must be called up so that players don't sit in a teams EDR. During the draft a team could choose to call up a person from the EDR to their 40 man roster to open up a roster spot on their EDR for a drafted player.

Shooter

Promoting your own EDRs is not the question or an issue in the discussion.  I am suggesting that we be allowed to place EDRs we get in trades on our EDR roster--instead of being required to place them on our 40 man roster.  This is the only change I am suggesting in our present EDR rules.