The Roger Dorn Baseball League had intended to roll out a change in 2021 to the Reserve Draft that allowed Major League draftees the option of a third year to their contract at $15. The proposal, that has strong interest across the RDBL Ownership Groups, would place big league players selected in the Reserve Draft on a new 1RD/$5, 2RD/$5 and 3RD/$15 giving clubs the option to retain these players for a third season at a $10 increase.
Given the allotment of 2020 Draft picks already moved, the Commissioner's Office didn't view this move as appropriate for the 2020 season with the switch of contract terms likely increasing the value of Reserve Draft selections. With last season being cancelled and the Draft Order carrying over to 2021, the league is set on pushing this change to 2022 according to sources.
The potential move will likely result in a substantial increase in the average draft selection of big league players given the value of the third year option. To date, the RDBL has seen just three big league players selected in the 1st Round of the Reserve Draft to date (Steven Drew, 2014/Aristocrats, Hector Santiago, 2016/Fish, Dallas Keuchel, 2019/AMC), a group that would likely have company if the proposal is officially added in 2022.
With the third year options on these players, RDBL Front Offices figure to hold a tighter grip on top round selections in trade talks or at a minimum, and slight increase in the return they would net. A player like Mike Clevinger, who just had his Tommy John surgery this off-season, has limited value under our current system but could be an asset moving forward that has more value with the potential of a third year.
Additionally, strong Reserve Draft selections like the Cloverdale Clovers pick of Sonny Gray in 2019 would be rewarded more than offering him the same contract as a late season waiver claim.
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