Taking a quick break during lunch and I came across this, by Buster Olney, who had a great seat watching the change in the Yanks philosophy this decade:
From the fall of 2001 through 2005, the Yankees sacrificed nine high draft picks to sign free agents Jason Giambi, Steve Karsay, Rondell White, Tom Gordon, Paul Quantrill, Jaret Wright, Carl Pavano, Kyle Farnsworth and Johnny Damon. In addition, the Yankees' consistent high finishes in the standings -- propped up by the free-agent signings -- naturally hurt their draft position.I wonder if the next CBA will address the losing of draft picks for signing others free agents.
"The bottom line is that there is a lot of value, in the big picture, to have a down year now and then," said a rival GM, "because that's the only way you're going to have a real shot at the elite talent in the draft. You can't say that out loud to your fans, but that's the truth. You might have someone fall through the cracks to you every once in awhile, but the best draft talent is, generally speaking, going to be at the top of the draft."
The Yankees have changed their draft philosophy in recent seasons, selecting the best player on their board, rather than trying to address a specific position, like catcher. They still lack depth among their position-player prospects, but they have done well in landing highly regarded pitching talent, like Joba Chamberlain.
(Would love to do more today folks, but I gotta jump back into this rip-roaring session.)
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2 comments:
If you look at the players that were drafted with those picks that the Yankees lost you see NO major league players. The real issue is there failure to draft anyone with the picks they did have.
Other than Joe Blanton, you mean? But yes, their failure to develop their own is a glaring hole.
Is that Cashman or Damon Oppenheimer? Not sure of that one myself.
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