MLFAD Start Date Will Be Tentatively Moved to March 29th

[Columbus Wild]

Kevin touched on this in the chat but DC, Manila and I discussed the issues with starting MLFAD in February this year due to the 2020 signing period being moved from July 2nd, 2020 to January 15th, 2021.  The period also stays open until December 15th 2021. 

At the moment we are tentatively moving the start of MLFAD to March 29th.  However, we will continue to monitor the number of players that sign leading up to that and determine if March 29th is still a good date.  This is obviously a new situation that wasn't anticipated.  We are used the period being closed before we drafted in MLFAD.   Unfortunately that doesn't appear to be the case moving forward.

We'll keep an eye on this and keep discussion going but at this time we feel it's best to tentatively move the start of MLFAD to March 29th and continue to monitor how the situation unfolds.

[SLC Bums]

I heard this was because of the CBA expiration that the extension was put into place . The whole international debate will be huge in the CBA negotiations!

[Jax Pratts]

We could also beat MLB to the punch and do away with the MLFAD. Just have one, larger draft at the time of the normal FYPD. If MLB stays with their present system, we'd still pick up the first wave of better players in the IFA class. If MLB decides to expose the IFA players to the (or a) draft, we'd already have things covered.

One draft of maybe 40 rounds would do it, I would think. There would be more players left in the pool and we'd get a chance to see another year of performance from some of the very deep, young players that now go at the end of the MLFAD.

It might even keep more owners active deeper into the draft. That would be a bonus.

[Manila Folders]

We could also beat MLB to the punch and do away with the MLFAD. Just have one, larger draft at the time of the normal FYPD. If MLB stays with their present system, we'd still pick up the first wave of better players in the IFA class. If MLB decides to expose the IFA players to the (or a) draft, we'd already have things covered.

One draft of maybe 40 rounds would do it, I would think. There would be more players left in the pool and we'd get a chance to see another year of performance from some of the very deep, young players that now go at the end of the MLFAD.

It might even keep more owners active deeper into the draft. That would be a bonus.

I like the idea in theory but in practice I don't.  It would be fun to mix and rank 16 year old internationals and college players.  I am concerned that too many owners routinely lose interest and punt their picks after the 3rd and 4th rounds in the existing drafts.  That's not so costly in the current draft because most everyone is a lottery ticket after the top 50 picks.  That dynamic would be altered in a single draft and give too much advantage to the owners who like to deep dive in the draft.     

[Jax Pratts]

The post that previously appeared here was an accident. Sorry.

[Shrewsbury Big Flies]

This comment is probably about something that would rarely happen and only for very few players, but what about players like Ha-Seong Kim?  He will be on the mlb roster, and the owner who drafts him will need to have room on the roster.  Would knowing that before our free agency period make a difference?

Likely not a big deal, and it's a $300,000 contract we'd be talking about, but I just thought I'd throw it out there in case it has other ramifications I'm not thinking about.

Delaying the draft is a good idea, by the way,
Thanks.

[Columbus Wild]

Ha-Seong Kim will actually be available in free agency because he signed a MLB contract and is on the Padres 40 man roster.