MiLB Draft Lottery

[Dodgers GM]

Had an idea last night that I would propose to add to next year's (2023) MiLB Draft:

In an effort to eliminate the rewards for tanking, I propose a MiLB Draft Lottery for the 8 non-playoff teams and their first round picks.

The 8 non-playoff teams would go in a lotto to determine the first 8 picks of the first round. The lottery would be a weighted lotto, i.e. higher weights to the last place finishing team and so on - but no longer rewarding tanking by guaranteeing the last pick.

The 8 team lotto would allow for any movement of picks in the first 8, i.e. teams could move from 6th to 4th, 3rd to 5th, 8th to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, etc.

The 8 team lotto would only be for the first 8 picks of the first round. The remainder of the first round would be determined by playoff finish (as it is now) and rounds 2 through 5 would be determined by standings finish.

This would mean that last place would still get the 1st pick of the 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 5th rounds as usual, just that there would be a possible change in the first round.

I would use this website for the lotto: www.fantasydraftlottery.com/
Weighted lotto:
Last place: 30%
15th: 23%
14th: 16%
13th: 11%
12th: 8%
11th: 6%
10th: 4%
9th: 2%

In an effort at full transparency I can even stream / broadcast the lotto for everyone to watch as it’s done - Twitch is a useful tool for that for those that have used it before.

Comment in the thread with feedback, with any suggested changes, etc. Will add a poll for in favor / against. Thanks!

[Red Sox GM]

Absolutely love the idea, should be in place ASAP due to some teams choosing to tank and not participate

[Dodgers GM]

May 28, 2022 10:06:51 GMT -5 Red Sox GM said:

Absolutely love the idea, should be in place ASAP due to some teams choosing to tank and not participate

I won’t change rules partway through a year (just in case people would have behaved differently knowing their odds were different) but I’d suggest it be implemented for next year’s draft. Gives everyone an offseason to change their thinking. Same as how we waited a year to institute RFA coming next offseason instead of this past winter

[Dodgers GM]

Adds another dimension to things as we continue to try and keep evolving. But if not enough are in favour we won’t implement it, as with every rule change proposal

[Red Sox GM]

I see your thinking on that, it just frustrating when i see teams not having a position player signed on the roster for that position, players that are signed but not on and MLB team and really taking no interest in the league in terms of being active in trade talks or setting there lineups.

[rms1002-Astros GM]

May 28, 2022 11:03:20 GMT -5 Red Sox GM said:

I see your thinking on that, it just frustrating when i see teams not having a position player signed on the roster for that position, players that are signed but not on and MLB team and really taking no interest in the league in terms of being active in trade talks or setting there lineups.

Maybe we should fine new owners, in my case this year, I just can't find a won, just maybe this week

[Cubs]

I like it

[Red Sox GM]

May 28, 2022 11:20:43 GMT -5 Cubs said:

I like it

then please Vote

[Dodgers GM]

May 28, 2022 11:17:37 GMT -5 rms1002-Astros GM said:

May 28, 2022 11:03:20 GMT -5 Red Sox GM said:

I see your thinking on that, it just frustrating when i see teams not having a position player signed on the roster for that position, players that are signed but not on and MLB team and really taking no interest in the league in terms of being active in trade talks or setting there lineups.

Maybe we should fine new owners, in my case this year, I just can't find a won, just maybe this week

Don’t know that we need to find new owners - you certainly weren’t trying to be 0-6, I wasn’t trying to be 2-4 - but in an effort to try and have everyone compete I like the disincentive to fully tank. Could still finish last if you want but no guarantees now

[Padres Alan GM]

May 28, 2022 11:17:37 GMT -5 rms1002-Astros GM said:

May 28, 2022 11:03:20 GMT -5 Red Sox GM said:

I see your thinking on that, it just frustrating when i see teams not having a position player signed on the roster for that position, players that are signed but not on and MLB team and really taking no interest in the league in terms of being active in trade talks or setting there lineups.

Maybe we should fine new owners, in my case this year, I just can't find a won, just maybe this week

I really don’t think he means find new owner when you can’t win I believe what he is saying is keep rosters full not with IL players in lineup pitch your best pitchers not keeping them on the bench.  When you bid on a player you should have 3days to pick them up or it goes to the next highest bid.  If they don’t pick up a player 3 times in one year you take away $1M cap space for the next year.  If they do not have $1M you drop a player to get it ( of owners Choice)