The Race for the 2022 #1 Draft Pick

[madducks]

The Pirates gained some ground this week after being swept by the Diamondbacks. The much anticipated trade deadline deals could determine the "winner" of this race. Here's how they rank after 7-22-21.

1. Diamondbacks: 30-68
2. Orioles: 31-64
3. Rangers: 35-62
4. Pirates: 36-60
5. Royals: 39-55
6. Marlins: 41-56
6. Twins: 41-56
8. Rockies: 42-54

[Sharky]

For the most part this correlates with payrolls, sadly. Not that some low-payroll teams can’t buck the trend (Milwaukee this year, Oakland, etc) but I bet the statisticians would say “high r-squared”.

On the one hand, I hate rewarding mediocrity (or worse yet, deliberate tanking). On the other, there needs to be some balance.

What do you think, pen?

[Bene Futuis]

For the most part this correlates with payrolls, sadly. Not that some low-payroll teams can’t buck the trend (Milwaukee this year, Oakland, etc) but I bet the statisticians would say “high r-squared”.

On the one hand, I hate rewarding mediocrity (or worse yet, deliberate tanking). On the other, there needs to be some balance.

What do you think, pen?

As a fan of a team with very deep pockets - salary cap now!

[madducks]

For the most part this correlates with payrolls, sadly. Not that some low-payroll teams can’t buck the trend (Milwaukee this year, Oakland, etc) but I bet the statisticians would say “high r-squared”.

On the one hand, I hate rewarding mediocrity (or worse yet, deliberate tanking). On the other, there needs to be some balance.

What do you think, pen?

I think the fans of high payroll teams hate the current draft system and fans of low payroll teams love it.

[chancellor]

As a fan of a team with very deep pockets - salary cap now!

As long as it comes with a salary floor, I'd go for that. There's hardly an excuse for owners to have a payroll lower than $90 mil.

[rhd]

As long as it comes with a salary floor, I'd go for that. There's hardly an excuse for owners to have a payroll lower than $90 mil.

According to Spotrac, there currently are 8 MLB teams w payrolls lower than $90 mil. Tampa is one of them. Arizona is not. In fact, among the 8 teams listed above, only the Orioles, Marlins and Pirates have payrolls under $90 mil. Lowest is Cleveland at $52.8 mil. They are not only not contenders for the #1 pick, they are above .500. It matters how you spend your money.