Signing Budget

I had the distinct pleasure of watching the draft this year from Treasure Island, Las Vegas.  Like many of us, I was more than a little disappointed with Casey Weathers being the first round selection.  Not having an internet connection, I was in great need for information beyond the first round.  Luckily, I found an Apple store right next to our hotel and quickly logged on.  All the college senior picks added fuel to the fire of my misery.

Later, having lost my blackjack budget, I had ample time to think about all this.  Sitting at a restaurant looking over The Strip, it dawned on me that these perceived low ceiling picks might just be part of a bigger plan.  We have to figure that Weathers will sign for around 2 million, and everyone else who will be signed, will do so for around 1.5-2M more.  Probably less, but we'll see.  I am not counting Kentrail Davis in this either.  

Thinking outside the box, this is a fairly inexpensive draft compared to recent years.  I'm thinking it was done this way on purpose for one of two reasons.  The first is if, at the trade deadline,  the Rockies have made up some ground in the division and the brothers monfort decide to open up the purse strings and BRING IN somebody in trade, and decide to keep Fuentes.  This would not be possible if they had picked the high risk/high reward/only gonna sign if I get paid type of player.  

The second is if they are not in it at the end of July, perhaps the low budget draft could help them to bring in an impact free agent.   Maybe, just maybe (and a few dozen hopefully's too), ownership has realized they need to pony up and having a tight budget on the amateur draft is a way of measuring if that will be possible.

And before all the "Monfort's are too cheap to do that type of thing" posts come out, know that we have already discussed that at length.  Please don't make me read it again.  I am just throwing it out there as an alternative train of thought.