Looking Ahead: 2015 Draft

[Gallen5862]

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Qualifying Offers To Be Worth $15.3MM This Offseason

By Jeff Todd [October 7, 2014 at 3:00pm CDT]

Teams wishing to make one-year qualifying players to pending free agents will have to be willing to pay them $15.3MM, the Associated Press reports (via Sportsnet.ca; h/t to Ben Nicholson-Smith). That represents an 8.5% increase over least year’s $14.1MM price tag.

The qualifying offer value is arrived at by averaging the salaries of MLB’s 125 highest-paid players. Teams may extend qualifying offers to eligible free agents-to-be within five days after the end of the World Series. Players have seven days to weigh the offer. When a player rejects the offer, his former team becomes eligible to receive an additional “sandwich” round pick in the next amateur draft, while a new signing team must forfeit their highest non-protected pick. (No draft pick movement occurs if a player re-signs with his original team.)

In order for a player to be eligible to receive a qualifying offer, the CBA states that he must have spent the entire regular season on that team’s roster. For example, Brandon McCarthy is ineligible to receive a qualifying offer after beginning the season with the Diamondbacks and being traded to the Yankees. Click here for more details on how the qualifying offer system works.

Every player made a qualifying offer to date has declined it. In the 2012-13 offseason, the first year that the QO system was in effect, nine players were made a qualifying offer and seven ultimately signed with different clubs. Last year, thirteen players turned down qualifying offers and ten went to new clubs in free agency.

As MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes explained before the 2013 season, avoiding the qualifying offer can have a major impact on a free agent’s earning capacity. That became all the more clear during the latest round of free agency, when both Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales declined qualifying offers but were unable to find multi-year offers to their liking. The pair of veterans ultimately waited months into the season before signing, settling for one-year deals before struggling badly over the rest of the year.

[Gallen5862]

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Mets Sign Michael Cuddyer

By Steve Adams [November 10, 2014 at 3:29pm CST]

3:29pm: Cuddyer’s contract is a two-year, $21MM pact, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (Twitter link). Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that he’ll earn $8.5MM in 2015 and $12.5MM in 2016. Essentially, by turning down the qualifying offer, Cuddyer guaranteed himself an additional $5.7MM and a second year.

2:40pm: The Mets announced that they have signed free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer to a two-year contract.

Cuddyer, a client of Excel Sports Management’s Casey Close, was the surprise recipient of a qualifying offer last week that caused many to believe that he would be the first to accept the offer. However, Colorado’s decision to extend the QO appears to have been a wise one, as they’ll now net a draft pick at the end of next year’s first round for their loss. The Mets, on the other hand, will forfeit the 15th pick in next year’s draft in order to bring Cuddyer to Queens.

Cuddyer, 36 in March, has long been rumored to be a target of the Mets, although last week’s QO from the Rockies was said at the time to kill their interest in 35-year-old free agent. Clearly, that was either posturing on the Mets’ behalf or something in their thinking changed. He’ll join the Mets’ outfield alongside Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson and add some punch to the middle of manager Terry Collins’ order.

The signing also allows the Mets to play Cuddyer at first base against left-handed pitching, should the team wish to platoon Lucas Duda, who is a career .212/.292/.317 hitter against southpaws. Cuddyer, on the other hand, has feasted on left-handed pitching in his career, hitting them at a .291/.378/.504 clip. Cuddyer also has extensive experience at first base.

[Gallen5862]

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2015 MLB Draft Order

By Charlie Wilmoth [September 28, 2014 at 7:32pm CDT]

Now that the 2014 regular season has come to an end, here’s the order for the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft. The order is determined in reverse order of regular season record, with ties being broken by record from the previous season. Teams are also compensated for failing to sign first-round picks from previous years. In 2015, the only team to receive an extra pick in the first 30 is Houston, which will get the No. 2 overall pick for failing to sign Brady Aiken this year.

Much about the draft order remains to be determined, given the impact that qualifying offers will have on the ultimate order. This year, the first 11 picks are protected, meaning that teams cannot lose those picks for signing free agents who have been extended qualifying offers. That means the Cubs, Phillies and Reds have protected picks, while the Marlins, Padres and Rays do not.

1. Diamondbacks
2. Astros (for failure to sign 2014 No. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken)
3. Rockies
4. Rangers
5. Astros
6. Twins
7. Red Sox
8. White Sox
9. Cubs
10. Phillies
11. Reds
12. Marlins
13. Padres
14. Rays
Mets (Forfeited for signing Michael Cuddyer from Rockies)
15. Braves
16. Brewers
Blue Jays (Forfeited for signing Russell Martin from Pirates)
17. Yankees
18. Indians
19. Mariners
20. Giants
21. Pirates
22. Athletics
23. Royals
24. Tigers
25. Cardinals
26. Dodgers
27. Orioles
28. Nationals
29. Angels
30. Rockies Compensation for losing Michael Cuddyer to Mets
31. Pirates Compensation for losing Russell Martin to Blue Jays

Here’s Compensation Round A, which follows the first round. Unlike regular draft picks, Compensation Round picks can be traded.

32. Astros (via Marlins)
33. Rockies
34. Cardinals
35. Brewers
36. Padres
37. Indians

The Reds, Red Sox (via the Athletics), Mariners, Twins, Orioles and Diamondbacks, respectively, own picks in Comp Round B, which will come after the second round.

I updated with Michael Cuddyer to Mets.

I updated with Russell Martin to Blue Jays

[Gallen5862]

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All 12 Players Reject Qualifying Offer

By Steve Adams [November 10, 2014 at 4:02pm CST]

Last Monday, 12 players received one-year, $15.3MM qualifying offers. Max Scherzer, Victor Martinez, Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, James Shields, Russell Martin, Nelson Cruz, David Robertson, Ervin Santana, Francisco Liriano, Melky Cabrera and Michael Cuddyer were all on the receiving end of the offer. The deadline to accept or reject the offer is today at 4pm CT.

A quick primer for those who are unfamiliar: Baseball’s newest collective bargaining agreement did away with the old Type A/B designations for free agent draft pick compensation. The newer system, which is now in its third year, allows teams to make qualifying offers to a player that has spent the entire season with that organization (i.e. players traded midseason are ineligible). That offer is set at the average salary of baseball’s 125 highest-paid players. Should the player reject, a new team will be required to forfeit its top unprotected pick to sign that player (the top 11 picks of this year’s draft are protected). His former team then receives a comp pick at the end of the first round. To this point, none of the 22 players to receive a QO have accepted.

[Gallen5862]

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Tigers To Re-Sign Victor Martinez

By Mark Polishuk and Steve Adams [November 12, 2014 at 4:06pm CST]

Victor Martinez was reportedly the Tigers’ top priority this offseason, and the team characteristically struck quickly, reportedly agreeing to a new four-year deal that will guarantee the Octagon client $68MM to reprise his role as the club’s primary DH.

[Gallen5862]

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Blue Jays To Sign Russell Martin

By Mark Polishuk [November 17, 2014 at 11:08am CST]

Toronto-born Russell Martin is heading home, as the free agent catcher has agreed to a five-year, $82MM contract with the Blue Jays. The contract doesn’t have any no-trade protection, CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman tweets, as per the Jays’ team policy. Martin is represented by Matt Colleran.

In losing Martin, the Pirates lose both a clubhouse leader and a key reason why the team reached the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. Pittsburgh’s acquisition of Francisco Cervelli seemed like a sign that they had moved on from Martin, as it seemed unlikely that the Bucs would be able to match the high bids for Martin on the open market.

Still, the Pirates are more than satisfied with the return on their original two-year, $17MM investment in Martin and they’ll now receive an extra draft pick as compensation. Because Martin rejected the Bucs’ qualifying offer, Pittsburgh gets a bonus pick between the first and second rounds of the 2015 draft. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, will surrender their first-rounder (17th overall).

[Gallen5862]

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Red Sox Agree To Terms With Hanley Ramirez

By Mark Polishuk and Charlie Wilmoth [November 24, 2014 at 12:08pm CST]

The Red Sox have reached an agreement with Hanley Ramirez, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweets. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal tweets that it’s a four-year, $88MM contract with a $22MM vesting option for a fifth season. Christopher Meola, who initially broke details of the Giancarlo Stanton signing, first reported yesterday morning that Ramirez would sign in Boston (Twitter link). Ramirez is represented by Adam Katz of the Wasserman Media Group.

The Dodgers will earn a compensation pick between the first and second rounds of the 2015 draft as a result of the signing, as Ramirez turned down the team’s qualifying offer. Boston’s 2015 first-round pick is protected, so the Sox will surrender their second-rounder to sign Ramirez (or their third-rounder, should Sandoval also be signed).

[mdccclxix]

If they sign Sandoval won't they lose their Comp B pick?

[Gallen5862]

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2015 MLB Draft Order

By Charlie Wilmoth [September 28, 2014 at 7:32pm CDT]

Now that the 2014 regular season has come to an end, here’s the order for the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft. The order is determined in reverse order of regular season record, with ties being broken by record from the previous season. Teams are also compensated for failing to sign first-round picks from previous years. In 2015, the only team to receive an extra pick in the first 30 is Houston, which will get the No. 2 overall pick for failing to sign Brady Aiken this year.

Much about the draft order remains to be determined, given the impact that qualifying offers will have on the ultimate order. This year, the first 11 picks are protected, meaning that teams cannot lose those picks for signing free agents who have been extended qualifying offers. That means the Cubs, Phillies and Reds have protected picks, while the Marlins, Padres and Rays do not.

1. Diamondbacks
2. Astros (for failure to sign 2014 No. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken)
3. Rockies
4. Rangers
5. Astros
6. Twins
7. Red Sox
8. White Sox
9. Cubs
10. Phillies
11. Reds
12. Marlins
13. Padres
14. Rays
Mets (Forfeited for signing Michael Cuddyer from Rockies)
15. Braves
16. Brewers
Blue Jays (Forfeited for signing Russell Martin from Pirates)
17. Yankees
18. Indians
Mariners (Forfeited for signing Nelson Cruz from Orioles)
19. Giants
20. Pirates
21. Athletics
22. Royals
23. Tigers
24. Cardinals
25. Dodgers
26. Orioles
27. Nationals
28. Angels
29. Rockies Compensation for losing Michael Cuddyer to Mets
30. Pirates Compensation for losing Russell Martin to Blue Jays
31. Orioles Compensation for losing Nelson Cruz to Mariners.
32. Yankees Compensation for losing David Robertson to White Sox
33. Los Angeles Dodgers (Hanley Ramirez)5
34. Baltimore Orioles (Nelson Cruz)6

Here’s Compensation Round A, which follows the first round. Unlike regular draft picks, Compensation Round picks can be traded.

33. Astros (via Marlins)
34. Rockies
35. Cardinals
36. Brewers
37. Padres
38. Indians

The Reds, Red Sox (via the Athletics), Mariners, Twins, Orioles and Diamondbacks, respectively, own picks in Comp Round B, which will come after the second round.

I updated with Michael Cuddyer to Mets.

I updated with Russell Martin to Blue Jays

I updated with Nelson Cruz to Mariners

I updated with David Robertson to White Sox.

[corkedbat]

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/103097...15-draft-class

[Gallen5862]

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2015 MLB Draft Order

By Charlie Wilmoth [September 28, 2014 at 7:32pm CDT]

Now that the 2014 regular season has come to an end, here’s the order for the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft. The order is determined in reverse order of regular season record, with ties being broken by record from the previous season. Teams are also compensated for failing to sign first-round picks from previous years. In 2015, the only team to receive an extra pick in the first 30 is Houston, which will get the No. 2 overall pick for failing to sign Brady Aiken this year.

Much about the draft order remains to be determined, given the impact that qualifying offers will have on the ultimate order. This year, the first 11 picks are protected, meaning that teams cannot lose those picks for signing free agents who have been extended qualifying offers. That means the Cubs, Phillies and Reds have protected picks, while the Marlins, Padres and Rays do not.

1. Diamondbacks
2. Astros (for failure to sign 2014 No. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken)
3. Rockies
4. Rangers
5. Astros
6. Twins
7. Red Sox
8. White Sox
9. Cubs
10. Phillies
11. Reds
12. Marlins
13. Padres
14. Rays
Mets (Forfeited for signing Michael Cuddyer from Rockies)
15. Braves
16. Brewers
Blue Jays (Forfeited for signing Russell Martin from Pirates)
17. Yankees
18. Indians
Mariners (Forfeited for signing Nelson Cruz from Orioles)
19. Giants
20. Pirates
21. Athletics
22. Royals
23. Tigers
24. Cardinals
25. Dodgers
26. Orioles
27. Nationals
28. Angels
29. Rockies Compensation for losing Michael Cuddyer to Mets
30. Yankees Compensation for losing David Robertson to White Sox
31. Pirates Compensation for losing Russell Martin to Blue Jays
32. Orioles Compensation for losing Nelson Cruz to Mariners.

Here’s Compensation Round A, which follows the first round. Unlike regular draft picks, Compensation Round picks can be traded.

33. Astros (via Marlins)
34. Rockies
35. Cardinals
36. Brewers
37. Padres
38. Indians

The Reds, Red Sox (via the Athletics), Mariners, Twins, Orioles and Diamondbacks, respectively, own picks in Comp Round B, which will come after the second round.

I updated with Michael Cuddyer to Mets.

I updated with Russell Martin to Blue Jays

I updated with Nelson Cruz to Mariners

I updated with David Robertson to White Sox.

[Gallen5862]

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2015/order.jsp

Draft Order

First Round

1. Arizona Diamondbacks
2. Houston Astros (Brady Aiken - unsigned)
3. Colorado Rockies
4. Texas Rangers
5. Houston Astros
6. Minnesota Twins
7. Boston Red Sox
8. Chicago White Sox
9. Chicago Cubs
10. Philadelphia Phillies
11. Cincinnati Reds
12. Miami Marlins
13. San Diego Padres
14. Tampa Bay Rays
New York Mets1
15. Atlanta Braves
16. Milwaukee Brewers
Toronto Blue Jays3
17. New York Yankees
18. Cleveland Indians
Seattle Mariners6
19. San Francisco Giants
20. Pittsburgh Pirates
21. Oakland Athletics
22. Kansas City Royals
23. Detroit Tigers
24. St. Louis Cardinals
25. Los Angeles Dodgers
26. Baltimore Orioles
27. Washington Nationals
28. Los Angeles Angels

Compensation Picks

Team will receive pick if the free agent in parentheses signs with another team. The signing team forfeits its first pick, unless it has one of the first 11 picks in the first round, in which case, it forfeits its second pick. If a team signs multiple free agents who were extended qualifying offers, it keeps relinquishing its next-highest Draft pick.

29. Colorado Rockies (Michael Cuddyer)1
30. Atlanta Braves (Ervin Santana)9
31.Toronto Blue Jays (Melky Cabrera)10
32. New York Yankees (David Robertson)7
33. San Francisco Giants (Pablo Sandoval)4
34. Pittsburgh Pirates (Russell Martin)3
Pittsburgh Pirates (Francisco Liriano)8
Kansas City Royals (James Shields)
Detroit Tigers (Victor Martinez)2
Detroit Tigers (Max Scherzer)
35. Los Angeles Dodgers (Hanley Ramirez)5
36. Baltimore Orioles (Nelson Cruz)6


1 Signed with the Mets, who forfeited their first-round pick.
2 Re-signed with the Tigers.
3 Signed with the Blue Jays, who forfeited their first-round pick.
4 Signed with the Red Sox, who forfeited their second-round pick.
5 Signed with the Red Sox, who forfeited their Competitive Balance Round B pick.
6 Signed with the Mariners, who forfeited their second-round pick.
7 Signed with the White Sox, who forfeited their second-round pick.
8 Re-signed with the Pirates
9 Signed with the Twins who forfeited their second-round pick
10 Signed with the white Sox, who forfeited their third round pick


Competitive Balance Round A

37. Houston Astros (from Marlins)
38 Colorado Rockies
39. St. Louis Cardinals
40. Milwaukee Breweres
41. San Diego Padres
42. Cleveland Indians

Second Round

43. Arizona Diamondbacks
44. Colorado Rockies
45. Texas Rangers
46. Houston Astros
Minnesota Twins9
Boston Red Sox4
Chicago White Sox7
47. Chicago Cubs
48. Philadelphia Phillies
49. Cincinnati Reds
50. Tampa Bay Rays
51. Miami Marlins
52. San Diego Padres
53. New York Mets
54. Atlanta Braves
55. Milwaukee Brewers
56. Toronto Blue Jays
57. New York Yankees
58. Cleveland Indians
59. Seattle Mariners
60. Washington Nationals (Andrew Suarez - unsigned)
61. Oakland Athletics
62. San Francisco Giants
63. Pittsburgh Pirates
64. Kansas City Royals
65. St. Louis Cardinals
66. Detroit Tigers
67. Los Angeles Dodgers
68. Baltimore Orioles
69. Washington Nationals
70. Los Angeles Angels

Competitive Balance Round B

71. Cincinnati Reds
Boston Red Sox (from Athletics)5
72. Seattle Mariners
73. Minnesota Twins
74. Baltimore Orioles
75. Arizona Diamondbacks

Third Round

76. Arizona Diamondbacks
77. Colorado Rockies
78. Texas Rangers
79. Houston Astros
80. Minnesota Twins
81. Boston Red Sox
Chicago White Sox10
82. Chicago Cubs
83. Philadelphia Phillies
84. Cincinnati Reds
85. Tampa Bay Rays
86. Miami Marlins
87. San Diego Padres
88. New York Mets
89. Atlanta Braves
90. Milwaukee Brewers
91. Toronto Blue Jays
92. New York Yankees
93. Cleveland Indians
94. Seattle Mariners
95. Oakland Athletics
96. San Francisco Giants
97. Pittsburgh Pirates
98. Kansas City Royals
99. St. Louis Cardinals
100. Detroit Tigers
101. Los Angeles Dodgers
102. Baltimore Orioles
103. Los Angeles Angels

Supplemental Round

104. St. Louis Cardinals (Trevor Megill - unsigned)

Rounds 4-40
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
Texas Rangers
Houston Astros
Minnesota Twins
Boston Red Sox
Chicago Cubs
Philadelphia Phillies
Chicago White Sox
Cincinnati Reds
Tampa Bay Rays
Miami Marlins
San Diego Padres
New York Mets
Atlanta Braves
Milwaukee Brewers
Toronto Blue Jays
New York Yankees
Cleveland Indians
Seattle Mariners
Oakland Athletics
San Francisco Giants
Pittsburgh Pirates
Kansas City Royals
St. Louis Cardinals
Detroit Tigers
Los Angeles Dodgers
Baltimore Orioles
Washington Nationals
Los Angeles Angels

Competitive Balance Round A

36. Houston Astros (from Marlins)
37. Colorado Rockies
38. St. Louis Cardinals
39. Milwaukee Breweres
40. San Diego Padres
41. Cleveland Indians


Second Round
42. Arizona Diamondbacks
43. Colorado Rockies
44. Texas Rangers
45. Houston Astros
Minnesota Twins 9
Boston Red Sox4
Chicago White Sox7
46. Chicago Cubs
47. Philadelphia Phillies
48. Cincinnati Reds
49. Tampa Bay Rays
50. Miami Marlins
51. San Diego Padres
52. New York Mets
53. Atlanta Braves
54. Milwaukee Brewers
55. Toronto Blue Jays
56. New York Yankees
57. Cleveland Indians
58. Washington Nationals (Andrew Suarez - unsigned)
59. Seattle Mariners
60. Oakland Athletics
61. San Francisco Giants
62. Pittsburgh Pirates
63. Kansas City Royals
64. St. Louis Cardinals
65. Detroit Tigers
66. Los Angeles Dodgers
67. Baltimore Orioles
68. Washington Nationals
69. Los Angeles Angels

Competitive Balance Round B
70. Cincinnati Reds
Boston Red Sox (from Athletics)5
71. Seattle Mariners
72. Minnesota Twins
73. Baltimore Orioles
74. Arizona Diamondbacks

Third Round

75. Arizona Diamondbacks
76. Colorado Rockies
77. Texas Rangers
78. Houston Astros
79. Minnesota Twins
80. Boston Red Sox
81. Chicago White Sox
82. Chicago Cubs
83. Philadelphia Phillies
84. Cincinnati Reds
85. Tampa Bay Rays
86. Miami Marlins
87. San Diego Padres
88. New York Mets
89. Atlanta Braves
90. Milwaukee Brewers
91. Toronto Blue Jays
92. New York Yankees
93. Cleveland Indians
94. Seattle Mariners
95. Oakland Athletics
96. San Francisco Giants
97. Pittsburgh Pirates
98. Kansas City Royals
99. St. Louis Cardinals
100. Detroit Tigers
101. Los Angeles Dodgers
102. Baltimore Orioles
103. Los Angeles Angels

Supplemental Round

104. St. Louis Cardinals (Trevor Megill - unsigned)

Rounds 4-40
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
Texas Rangers
Houston Astros
Minnesota Twins
Boston Red Sox
Chicago Cubs
Philadelphia Phillies
Chicago White Sox
Cincinnati Reds
Tampa Bay Rays
Miami Marlins
San Diego Padres
New York Mets
Atlanta Braves
Milwaukee Brewers
Toronto Blue Jays
New York Yankees
Cleveland Indians
Seattle Mariners
Oakland Athletics
San Francisco Giants
Pittsburgh Pirates
Kansas City Royals
St. Louis Cardinals
Detroit Tigers
Los Angeles Dodgers
Baltimore Orioles
Washington Nationals
Los Angeles Angels

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Twins To Sign Ervin Santana

By Jeff Todd [December 11, 2014 at 1:33pm CST]

The Twins have agreed to a four-year, $55MM deal with free agent starter Ervin Santana. The pact includes a $14MM option for a fifth year that will vest if he throws 200 innings in 2018. He will earn $13.5MM annually over the guaranteed portion of the deal.



Santana, of course, settled for a one-year deal with the Braves last year at the value of the qualifying offer. By acting more quickly this time around, he was able to secure the multi-year pact he was looking for. Minnesota will need to give up a pick to add Santana, but will be able to hold onto its protected first-rounder.

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Pirates Re-Sign Francisco Liriano

By Jeff Todd [December 12, 2014 at 2:15pm CST]

The Pirates may have lost Russell Martin to free agency, but they were able to retain their other top free agent, as they announced on Friday the signing of Francisco Liriano to a three-year contract. Liriano, a client of the Legacy Agency’s Greg Genske, reportedly receives a $39MM guarantee.

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White Sox To Sign Melky Cabrera

By Charlie Wilmoth [December 14, 2014 at 8:54am CST]

8:54am: Cabrera’s deal is worth $42MM, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).

Cabrera rejected the Blue Jays’ qualifying offer earlier this offseason, so Toronto will receive an extra pick at the end of the first round of the 2015 draft. The White Sox’ first-round pick, No. 8 overall, is protected, and they already gave up their second-round pick to sign Robertson, so they will have to sacrifice their third-round pick once their signing of Cabrera is complete.