How the Royals Are Dominating the Free-Agent Market in 2020
The Major League Baseball draft may be over, but because there were fewer rounds, the undrafted free agent market is bustling. Sports Illustrated host Robin Lundberg talked with SI baseball writer Emma Baccellieri about the talent available and how the Kansas City Royals were able to capitalize and become the big winners on the free-agent market...at least the undrafted free agent market.
Read the full transcript below:
Robin Lundberg: The Major League Baseball draft has passed, but the undrafted free agent market is active. For more, I'm joined by our Emma Baccallieri. Emma, what's going on with the undrafted free agent market in Major League Baseball?
Emma Baccellieri: So, this is pretty unusual. Nothing like this has ever happened before. Since the draft was cut down to just five rounds this year instead of 40, there's obviously a lot of players left on the market who would have otherwise been drafted. As part of the agreement that cut the draft down and there are some new rules around undrafted free agents. Basically, teams can now extend an unlimited number of offers to as many of those guys as they want, but the maximum signing bonus can only be twenty thousand dollars.
Robin Lundberg: You know, the royals have actually been dominating and you don't think of them as the players in the free-agent market. How have they done that here?
Emma Baccellieri: Really, the most powerful thing we've done here is these guys are paying attention to how do these organizations develop their minor leaguers, how do they take care of their guys? The Royals made a pretty strong statement in May. As other teams were cutting their minor leaguers discussing the potential of taking away their stipends, the Royals came out and said, "We’re not making any cuts for the duration of the season. Everyone will be paid in full through the end of the summer." On the strength of a statement like that, a lot of these undrafted free agents are looking at that and realizing that this is the place that they want to be, where they will feel really value their minor leaguers and gives them the support that they need to develop.
Robin Lundberg: There you have it, Kansas City winning the free-agent market. At least the undrafted free agent market. Emma, appreciate your time, as always.
For More Content From SI:
- Kyle Shanahan Gets Another Six-Year Deal, Player COVID-19 Cases Shouldn't Be Surprises
- Cuomo: U.S. Open Will Be Held Aug. 31 to Sept. 13 in New York City Without Fans
- Marcus Rashford's Campaign to Extend Food Vouchers to Children Convinces British Government
- 10 Looming Contract Situations That Will Have a Significant Impact on the NFL NWSL Reveals Schedule, Broadcast Details for Challenge Cup Tournament
- How Everything Is Falling Into Place for the 76ers to Shock the World
