Draft-Pick Compensation Rules Changing?

From Jeff Passan (hat tip to NoMaas.org):

The draft-pick compensation boondoggle that has left reliever Juan Cruz, second baseman Orlando Hudson and shortstop Orlando Cabrera unemployed could soon have a solution that liberates them from free-agent purgatory.

 

Major League Baseball and the players’ union have discussed a proposal that would allow Type A free agents to sign with the team they played for in 2008, then waive the provision that prevents them from being traded before June 15. The Minneapolis Star Tribune first reported the possibility of sign-and-trade deals.

By agreeing to the deal, the original team would receive compensation from the trading partner—albeit not a first-round draft choice and supplemental first-round pick, which has been the reason behind the stalemate.

The rankings have taken a public lashing this offseason from executives and agents, who agree that its intended purpose—to reward teams for losing the best players in free agency—is corrupted by Elias’ dated formula.

“Both the league and the union are realizing that this compensation system is antiquated and not helping anybody,” said one source briefed on the proposal.

This is obviously the smart move to make. It's crazy that these guys are still free agents at this point.

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