Chicago Cubs to make use of First-Year Player Draft – MLB News
The Chicago Cubs are exploring ways to take maximum advantage from this week’s First-Year Player Draft. The reason for the gusto, which is eagerly awaited but not enthusiastically known, is the change the Collective Bargaining Agreement has gone through
recently.
The change enables the teams to pick up the young talent from the Draft. This will be a chance for newly hired scouting director Jason McLeod to go for the multi-talented and agile players in the Draft.
Interestingly, from Jason McLeod to Jed Hoyer to Theo Epstein, who are the prominent names of the Chicago Cubs’ frontline, they all were previously part of the Boston Red Sox. Thus, what the Red Sox could have got previously will now come to the Cubs.
McLeod, experienced and sharp, knows best how best to make use of it at this juncture. However, much as it is an opportunity to make strong additions in the team, he prefers the wait and see strategy instead of showing unnecessary haste.
I'm sure every club is trying to find some advantages in the current system now, but I think it will be kind of a wait and see," McLeod said.
For him, the most important component of it all is to correctly assess the market and then weigh in on budget as well so as to be aggressive when a right player is out there to get. But all this, according to him, is not easy for now.
"Ultimately, the way it's set up and structured now with the bonuses [to Draft picks] and the way it'll hit your signing budget, if you will, you're going to have to take into account when the appropriate time will be to be aggressive. Unfortunately, sitting
here right now, I can't say where that is."
The new evaluation system is part of the change that is being talked about. With the changes that have swept the system right now, it will be interesting to see how the Chicago Cubs will make use of it to the best of their ability. In it they see a chance
to bring together a stronger team and add some much needed depth to their line-up.
Tags: