NEW YORK (AP) — As part of baseball’s new labor agreement, 11 free agents had their draft-pick compensation reduced or eliminated in an effort to increase interest among teams in the marketplace.
According to the 1981 statistical formula that is being eliminated, 21 players originally were classified as Type A free agents, which would cost a club signing them its first-round pick in next June’s amateur draft.
That number was reduced to eight under Tuesday’s agreement: Prince Fielder, David Ortiz, Roy Oswalt, Jonathan Papelbon, Albert Pujols, Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins and C.J. Wilson.
The former teams must offer salary arbitration to these players by midnight EST at the end of Wednesday in order to receive compensation. Papelbon already has agreed to a $50 million, four-year deal with Philadelphia.
