What If FCM Had A Rule 5 Draft?

[mattynokes]

I like it, and it's fun. But isn't this just more work for Andy without actually imposing something that fixes a big problem we may have with a loophole or rule of some kind?

It's pretty much just for fun, but this would be the easiest way to run a Rule 5 Draft. If this were to ever happen, it wouldn't fall on Andy's shoulders, it would be on me or someone else who wanted to run it. The process is actually quite simple:

1. After making sure you have the same column heading as I do, copy team-by-team and paste into Excel tabs (I already have the template minus 13 other teams). Make sure the teams are sorted by Service Time in Mogul before copying.

2. Fill all rows of players with Service Time in Blue.

3. Sort the remaining non-Service Time players by Draft Year. Fill any rows of players within the last 4 draft years in Green (for the example, 2055 was the draft year).

4. Cut and Paste any player filled in Green that is UNDER 22. Then change the fill back to Clear (No Fill).

5. Sort the final Green filled, eligible draftees to Highest Peak, Highest Overall.

This might take a minute or two per team. Once I figured out how I wanted the file done, it was easy to find a rhythm.

Why would the rule 5 draft make teams or the league better if they can barely add a suitable bench player with their selections?

That's being a little dramatic. Benches and Bullpens are mainly made up of high 70s to low 80s overall players. That is exactly the type of talent that's in the Rule 5 Draft. And talent that just may blossom into more if they get lucky with jumps.

It just seems like another big thing to police.

I don't think there's much policing involved. It's pretty straight forward. Players with service time need to be protected. If they fall in the eligible guidelines, then you risk losing them if you don't protect them. If you don't turn in a protect list, then we'll still go ahead and protect the highest peak eligible players for you (I know the rules say Scouting Score, but highest peak is probably more agreeable).

Then, if you want to make selections, you can make up to 3 if you have the open slots. I think it could be hosted live like our Amateur Draft, but would be much simpler and easy to send in a list, "I want Player X, Player Y, then Player Z. If they aren't available, then I pass."

Maybe if we bump the cash amounts that must be paid up, it can become a new way to remove cash from the file along with WB?

The cash cost could go up, but you'd have to make sure it isn't too high. People won't pay close to what WB costs since the return isn't as lucrative.