PIRATES PITCHING

[WPIAL~Titan]

Coach are you saying that I flame into threads, esp when they relate to psu football and paterno? I'd never do that!

[Crimson's Ghost]

I'd like to keep Pedro as well.

Upton is a good talent. If the trade was essentially centered around Marte, I'd be all for it. Marte is only a few months younger than Upton. Upton has played 4-5 season already and is a proven MLB bat. Marte is well, we don't know.


I'd give up Marte,any of the 3 AAA Leftys. Any Pitcher besides Cole,Heredia,Taillon. I'd give up Alan Hansen. I'd give up Brad Lincoln. I'd give up Robbie Grossman. Essentially any Minor Leaguer besides the three main pitchers.

[bleacherbum]

Not quite sure how the new draft system works yet with the tier concept. Having 3 first round picks sounds great, but I can't see how they can sign them all with out paying taxes or losing picks the next year. Like I said I don't completely understand the new system. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Crimson's Ghost]

The thing held today is called the "Competitive Balance Draft" To determine how you get in there is based off of Market size and revenue. The order of the draft is aided by 2011 winning percentages. The picks can be traded DURING the season. Whether it be this year or next year, but not in the offseason. I guess this replaces the old "Compensation" picks for losing free agents. I may seem like I understand this, but I'm paraphrasing from an article I read later.

And I would understand why people would be concerned with signability issues with three top 35 picks. But Mark Appel was an anomaly. He was advised by Boras and thought he was worth more than his slot value, and even worth more than the offers the Bucs gave him. The Pirates played the 2012 draft right though. They went after the high risk and highly talented Appel, and with their next 10 picks...They picked good players and used their usual over-signing for top HS talent. The Bucs could have drafted college Seniors and save a lot of money on bonuses and get Appel, but sacrifice the rest of their draft all for Appel. But the Bucs drafted aggressively and walked away with some top talent. Jonathon Sandfort and Wyatt Mathisen were both high priced High School over slot picks, and may end up being valuable commodities for the Bucs.


Now regarding next year, I don't see signing players will be an issue. Appel was a rare case and was the only first round pick not to sign. The Bucs are looking to have the 9th pick, perhaps somewhere in the 20's and the 33rd pick. I think they won't take the risky player next year if it comes down to it. And I believe if it comes down to it, all three first round picks will sign. Especially if Appel comes out and bombs next year. That will sway kids from shying away from signing. And they will take the right guys to make up for not having a first round pick this year.

[bleacherbum]

Thanks for the info Crimson's Ghost.
My question is each team is allotted slot money for each round if they go over the slot money by more than 5% they pay a tax. Go over by 10% pay more of a tax and so on up to losing draft picks. Now with the bucs having possible 3 picks in the first round do they get allotted 3 first round slots or have to try and sign 3 guys with one slot? I might be completely off base here with my perception of how this works. Anyone with better knowledge please help me out
Thanks.

[Crimson's Ghost]

I think each pick would be slotted appropriately. And my guess the Bucs may take some college players that on't command large bonus to be able to sign the first 4-5 picks.

[Eaglealum]

he thing about the draft lottery is the small market teams ar allowed to trade theirs..and those picks are only allowed to change hands once....so a Pittsburgh or Cleveland could use that spot to enhance a trade to make their team better now....and the bigger markets could get one but would have to use it and develope someone and not pillage as much...concept is great but there are ways to manipulate it too...basically the small team will now have more of a shot to play in October a few times every 20 years or so and the big market teams will end up with more of a minor system to sustain winning...in the long run it will hurt more than help...but this year...oh baby the Bucs could couple that #32 pick with a couple other guys and end up with somethin

[bleacherbum]

Thanks for the help guys.
Go buccos!!!!