Major League Baseball is considering skipping its amateur draft this year and putting off the next international signing period, according to Ronald Blum of the Associated Press.
Both measures would be done to save teams cash during the COVID-19 shutdown, which will last until at least mid-May. With no money coming in from broadcasts, ticket sales or sponsorships, teams are looking for ways to cut expenses.
Bonus rules for the draft and international free agents are part of the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the Player's Association, but MLB could attempt to cite the national emergency as reason to make unilateral changes, Blum writes.
MLB shut down all scouting activity -- including domestic and international, private and public -- on Mar. 16.
The MLB draft is scheduled for June 10-12 in Omaha, Neb.. The Pirates have the seventh overall pick, and were also awarded a Competitive Balance round A pick, which is 31st overall.
The draft was supposed to coincide with the college world series, but the college baseball season, and all collegiate spring sports, have been cancelled by the NCAA. The NCAA has also recommended that eligibility relief be provided to all athletes who play spring sports.
On the international side, the Pirates were expected to ink 16 year-old Dominican outfielder Shalin Polanco to a sizeable $2.5 million signing bonus when the new signing period began. The new signing period is currently scheduled to start July 2 and run through June 15. Polanco is not eligible to sign with any club until that new period.
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