A great piece by FOX’s Ken Rosenthal on Tuesday states MLB owners would be willing to lock players out when the current collective-bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1. While the suggestion of a lockout made headlines across the internet, two changes proposed by the owners would be hugely beneficial for the Royals and small-market clubs in general.
Those changes are:
- Eliminating direct-draft pick compensation when teams sign free agents who turned down a qualifying offer.
AND
- An international draft.
So how does this affect Kansas City?
The compensation pick is a major irritant for all clubs but can be downright deadly for teams in smaller metro areas.