Idea - Compensation Picks for Unsigned Restriction Tags

[Guardians GM (Thomas)]

There has been some recent debate over compensation picks for free agents and I think this idea makes a lot of sense. It more mimics the qualifying offer system in place in MLB.

Idea:
Replacing the current compensation pick system with compensation picks for players on restriction tags signed by other teams.

My current thoughts is this would create 6 compensation rounds with draft order determined by contract points greatest to fewest:
Compensation round 1 (after round 1 of Amateur draft); 35+ contract points
Compensation round 2 (after round 2 of Amateur draft); 30-34.99 contract points
Compensation round 3 (after round 3 of Amateur draft); 25-29.99 contract points
Compensation round 4 (after round 4 of Amateur draft); 20-24.99 contract points
Compensation round 5 (after round 5 of Amateur draft); 15-19.99 contract points
Compensation round 6 (after round 6 of Amateur draft); 0-14.99 contract points

This leaves the majority of contracts given out on restriction tags walking in free agency as post 6th round picks but still creates value for the big name walking free agents.

As a disclaimer, any proposal over this would not affect the next set of compensation picks, but would need to wait until after that set so as to not suddenly shift the values of players who would be worth these tags.

Further, the stipulation that they must sign elsewhere is included so that players are not left in free agency and worth a draft pick similar to how unsigned restriction tags are not worth a draft pick in MLB (ex: Conforto did not sign in 2021/22 free agency after rejecting a QO from the Mets, so he can now be signed without the forfeiture of a draft pick post draft).

I'm happy to take suggestions on the proposal and how it should change before being put to a vote. I've added a poll to gauge interest in the idea.

[Astros GM (Will)]

Let’s just do the top two rounds plus being an unsigned restricted tag and I’m on board.

[Guardians GM (Thomas)]

This would have resulted in the following number of picks in each tier in 2021/22 free agency:
Tier 1: 1 (Scherzer)
Tier 2: 1 (LeMahieu)
Tier 3: 0
Tier 4: 0
Tier 5: 2 (Cron, Keuchel)
Tier 6: 3 (Hererea, Gonzalez, Castro)

I think attaching a pick might affect some decisions on accepting or declining tags, but with last year's free agency it would only have created 7 picks in the draft.

[Marlins GM (Travis)]

Remove and add a 7th round is my vote.

[Blue Jays GM (Stephen)]

"Let’s just do the top two rounds plus being an unsigned restricted tag and I’m on board." - I like this version of the comp pick.

[Rockies GM (Alex)]

We already only do two rounds of comp picks?

[Astros GM (Will)]

Jul 27, 2022 23:49:45 GMT -5 Rockies GM (Alex) said:

We already only do two rounds of comp picks?

Right, but a comp pick is awarded to anyone who qualifies with points. This proposal would only award a comp pick to players with restricted tags.

[Rockies GM (Alex)]

If we toyed with this idea, I would want to reduce it from two to one restriction tag per team.

You'd also have to ensure two teams don't bid on each others players just to get each other a free draft pick... a new form of collusion.