Free Agent Rankings
If this USA today article is to be believed, and I don't know why it wouldn't, Elias has finished their rankings of players that determine their Free Agent classification. This in turn determines what other teams will have to cough up if they sign one of these players (assuming arbitration is offered) or receive if one of their players is signed.
The relevant Cubs are Aramis Ramirez (Type A), Juan Pierre (Type B) and Henry Blanco (Type C). The new CBA has changed the rules on draft pick compensation but those don't go into effect until next offseason. Thus, if the Cubs lose Ramirez they'll either get a 1st round pick (if the signing team doesn't have a pick in the top 15 next year) or a 2nd round pick (if the signing team does have one of those protected top 15 picks) and a sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd round. The same deal goes for Juan Pierre, although the Cubs would not receive the sandwich pick. The Cubs would get a sandwich pick between the 2nd and 3rd rounds for Henry Blanco if he signs somewhere else and is offered arbitration, the latter part being very likely since the Cubs seem to want him to stay.
As for some of the free agents that the Cubs are rumored to be interested in:
Jason Schmidt (Type A)
Barry Zito (Type A)
Alfonso Soriano (Type A)
Julio Lugo (Type A)
Ray Durham (Type A)
Carlos Lee (Type A)
Mark Loretta (Type A)
Greg Maddux(Type A) Say what?
Jeff Suppan (Type A) See Maddux
Vicente Padilla (Type B)
Ted Lilly (Type B)
Adam Eaton (Type C)
Randy Wolf (Type C)
Elias system is based off the last two years and mostly relies on counting stats and does not account for defense in any way. I don't know what exact categories they use. The USA today article eludes to batting average, OBP, home runs, RBI's and plate appearances for hitters but I don't know if that's the complete list nor do I know the pitching categories used. The Cubs first round pick is protected though given their top 15 status.
Comments