Trading of Draft Picks

[Rangers GM (Victor)]

I dont remember the last time this was brought up, but I would like to bring up the idea of trading draft picks. I know each league is allowed how to run and set up the league as they please, but think that trading of draft picks should be allowed. Now, i am not suggesting that we trade 5yrs worth of picks but allowing 1 or 2yrs of draft picks should be allowed so that rebuilding teams can acquire or even trade up in a draft to help speed this process up.

Being that this will be year 2 of my personal rebuild, I am seeing how this could have helped greatly. Trading of picks doesnt just help rebuilding teams either. Competing teams can trade their draft picks to get vital pieces for a stretch run without mortgaging their own prospects that they may want to see thru.

Its just a thought and one that I dont think had been addressed in a while and would like to see where everyone else stands on this possible option. If you are against this option, could you explain why it would be a bad thing for the league.

[Diamondbacks GM (Ethan)]

I’m all for trading draft picks, but only for one year.

If someone were to trade their 1st this year, then 1st and 2nd the next year, then walk away from the league, that screws over the next owner, especially if all that trading doesn’t result in a desired finish in the league.

Trading picks for one year is fine, but that should be enough

[Brewers GM (Kevin)]

Can draft picks be tracked via Fangraphs at all? Could be a little messy if everything is just kept track of manually.

[Former Twins GM (Robin)]

Picks can be tracked on Fantrax, but only for one year I think. They get included in trade offers too.

[Former Dodgers GM (Andrew)]

Picks can be tracked for multiple years. The most I’ve seen is 2-3 years in advance I believe. I wouldn’t support trading of multiple years though cause then you have owners that trade it all and leave the team with no picks. If anything though I think we should get rid of the rule that requires a team to wait until June to trade their drafted players. I think everyone should be allowed to trade who they want once the draft is over. Trading of draft picks might not happen but I think that would be a good middle ground.

[Rays GM (Donavan)]

I agree that the trading of draftees should be allowed 2 weeks after the conclusion of the draft (in-line with the trading of free agents).

Trading of draft picks gets tricky with the RFA compensation and pick forfeiture.

[Rockies GM (Dan)]

Mar 16, 2020 23:14:13 GMT -8 Rays GM (Donavan) said:

Trading of draft picks gets tricky with the RFA compensation and pick forfeiture.

A way to get around this would be to only allow 1st round picks to be traded.

(And, if we only do one year at a time, perhaps allow 2nd and 3rd round picks to be traded only after RFA)

But I'm all for this, and have been for 10 seasons now

[Nationals GM (Preston)]

I’m pro keeping the current regime in place (surprise) mostly because it encourages long term team building akin to the development of a real farm system.

[Rockies GM (Dan)]

Mar 17, 2020 4:47:30 GMT -8 Nationals GM (Preston) said:

I’m pro keeping the current regime in place (surprise) mostly because it encourages long term team building akin to the development of a real farm system.

When this league was set up, a lot of the rules were put in place for the sake of realism. Teams are now allowed to trade certain picks (like competitive balance picks).

I don't think this will eliminate long term rebuilding. I, for one, know a long-term rebuild is in my future a few years down the road here. It might just help expedited the process so it doesn't take another five years of losing for a team like mine to reach their window.

Also, and I mean this respectfully as a friendly jab - when's the last time you had to do a long-term rebuild? You tore it all down last year and came back a year later as a contender with a strong farm system.

[Nationals GM (Preston)]

Thanks Perhaps I have a blind spot for the reasons you noted, but I like that one aspect of the league is immune from the pendulum swings of contending/rebuilding and allows for consistent long term planning.

If we rolled out draft pick trading, I’d prefer it remain limited (like MLB). I think first rounders should remain with each team. If we moved second and third rounders, as others have said, we’d have to consider how that would impact RFA - whether picks can only be moved after RFA or do away with pick surrendering entirely and instead just reward sandwich round picks to the teams that lose their RFAs.

[Cubs GM (Beau)]

Personally loathe draft pick trading and would consider this league as worse off for it. Also do not think fantrax tracking is enough. People don't even pick up their players, forget properly track picks. Someone would have to run another spreadsheet imo.

[Padres GM (Amy)]

i like it how it is here

[Guardians GM (Matt)]

With a 3 round draft and deep rosters, 1st round picks are really the only ones with a lot more value than just being active in FA. I don't mind being able to trade drafted players after the moratorium.

If there is pick trading, I would say it should only involve the current draft, it would affect RFA in that you could only place bids based on how many picks you have.

Slight compromise might be that RFA picks are tradeable and picks within a draft are tradeable once that draft starts.

[Cubs GM (Beau)]

^ this is also why I push for expanded draft. Adds value in rounds beyond one.

[Braves GM (Dustin)]

I think a 5 round draft with expanded exempt list would be awesome.

[Nationals GM (Preston)]

I’ve liked the idea of increases to 15 and 55, but would surely see the advantage of trying out something more gradual as well.