by knight1 » Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:34 pm
I don't think the part of having a team lose a pick in the prospect draft if you keep a prospect after the 2 year period is a good idea.
But, maybe we could see about changing the prospect period to 3 years. Because with some of the big market teams in the majors they may take the attitude of not rushing a player to the majors, not because they aren't ready, but, because once they bring them up, the time frame for arbitration status begins. Obviously it doesn't matter as much if the team already has the player signed to long term deal. So, like a New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox, they wouldn't be so quick to rush a new draftee up to the majors within 2 years. It could take about 3 years or more. Look at Jesus Montero of the NY Yankees. He was signed in the summer of 2006 and made his major league debut in 2010. Granted Montero was 16 when he was signed, but, he was a prospect for that long of a time. He was that much of a prospect that the Mariners wanted him as part of a deal for Cliff Lee and obviously the Yankees refused.