The 2025 MLB Draft is shaping up, with the Competitive Balance rounds now set, even though the top pick won’t be determined until tuesday’s MLB Draft Lottery presented by Nike.
As 2017, Major League Baseball has used a formula that considers revenue, winning percentage, and market size to award Draft picks to teams that rank in the bottom 10 in revenue or market size. In 2024,14 teams received picks in the two CB rounds: six in Round A and eight in Round B. This year, 15 teams will benefit from these rounds: eight with picks in Round A and seven in Round B.
Competitive Balance Round A takes place between the first-round compensation picks and the second round, while Round B follows the second round. The order within each round is determined by the previous year’s standings, from worst to best.
These picks are unique because thay are the only MLB Draft picks that can be traded and are not subject to forfeiture – unless the pick has already been traded. For example, the Oakland A’s will not forfeit their CB Round A pick for reportedly signing free agent right-hander Luis Severino, who had a qualifying offer attached to him. they will forfeit their third-highest eligible pick instead.Though, if the A’s were to trade their CBA pick, it would then become eligible for forfeiture.
“Free agents who accept qualifying offers are signed with their teams for the next season at the designated value. Those who don’t accept remain free agents, and if a new team signs them, their old team receives Draft pick compensation. The more free agents sign, the clearer the final overall Draft order will become.”
Here are the remaining unsigned free agents who declined the qualifying offer and the compensation each team would receive if they sign elsewhere:
Yankees – Juan Soto: Pick after Round 4
Mets – Pete Alonso: Pick after Round 4
Brewers – Willy Adames: Pick between Round 1 and Competitive Balance Round A (if signed for at least $50 million); pick after Competitive Balance Round B (if signed for less than $50M)
Astros – Alex Bregman: Pick after Round 4
Orioles – Corbin burnes: Pick between Round 1 and Competitive Balance Round A (if signed for at least $50 million); pick after Competitive Balance Round B (if signed for less than $50M)
Major League Baseball’s qualifying offer deadline has come and gone, leaving several notable players facing a crucial decision: accept a one-year deal with their current team or test the free agent market. For teams that lose a qualifying offer player, draft pick compensation comes into play, adding another layer of complexity to the offseason landscape.
Here’s a breakdown of the qualifying offer decisions and the potential draft pick implications for some of the biggest names:
Baltimore Orioles – Anthony Santander
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“I’m excited to see what the future holds,” Santander said after the season. “I love playing in Baltimore and I’m hoping to be back.”
Santander’s future in Baltimore hinges on the size of his contract. If he signs for at least $50 million, the Orioles would forfeit a draft pick between the first round and Competitive Balance Round A. If he signs for less, the team would lose a pick after Competitive Balance Round B.
Atlanta Braves – Max Fried
The Braves will be without their ace for the first part of the 2024 season, as Fried opted to decline the qualifying offer. Atlanta will lose a draft pick after Round 4 if Fried signs elsewhere.
los Angeles Dodgers – Teoscar Hernández
Hernández, who joined the Dodgers mid-season, also declined the qualifying offer. Like Fried, his departure will cost the Dodgers a draft pick after Round 4.
New York Mets - Sean Manaea
Manaea, who struggled in his first season with the Mets, declined the qualifying offer. The Mets will lose a draft pick after Round 4 if he signs with another team.
Boston Red Sox – Nick Pivetta
Pivetta, a reliable starter for the Red sox, declined the qualifying offer. Boston will lose a draft pick after Competitive balance Round B if he signs elsewhere.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Christian Walker
Walker, a key contributor to the Diamondbacks’ surprising success, faces a similar situation to Santander. If he signs for at least $50 million,Arizona would lose a pick between the first round and Competitive Balance Round A. If he signs for less, the team would lose a pick after Competitive Balance Round B.
The coming weeks will be crucial for these players and their respective teams as they navigate the free agency landscape and weigh the implications of draft pick compensation.
## Decoding the 2025 MLB Draft: The Competitive Balance Factor
**world Today News:**
Welcome back, baseball fans! With the MLB Draft Lottery just around the corner, we’re diving deep into the complexities of the 2025 draft. Joining us is [Insert baseball expert name],a renowned analyst with years of experience dissecting the MLB Draft landscape. Welcome, [expert name].
**[Expert Name]:** Thanks for having me. It’s always exciting to talk baseball, especially when it comes to the draft and the future of the league.
**World Today News:** Absolutely. Let’s talk about Competitive Balance rounds.They aren’t the flashiest part of the draft, but they can considerably impact a team’s rebuilding efforts. Could you break down what they are and how they work?
**[Expert Name]:** Sure thing. The Competitive Balance Rounds are designed to level the playing field, giving struggling teams extraドラフト picks. They’re awarded to teams that rank in the bottom 10 based on a combination of revenue, winning percentage, and market size.
**World Today news:** Favorable for smaller markets, essentially.
**[Expert Name]:** Exactly.In 2025, 15 teams will benefit from these rounds, wich are slotted between the frist and second rounds. This year,Round A sees eight picks,while Round B has seven.
**World Today News:** So, they’re strategically placed within the draft order.
**[Expert Name]:** Absolutely. This year, Round A takes place between the first-round compensation picks and the second round, while Round B follows right after the second.
**World Today News:** And unlike other compensatory picks, theseドラフト picks can be traded, correct?
**[Expert Name]:** That’s right. They aren’t subject to forfeiture, unless the pick has already been traded. That’s fascinating as it adds a layer of strategy. Such as, if a team is rebuilding, they might trade a Competitve balance Round pick for prospects or a major league player who can help them win now.
**World Today News:** That brings us to the upcoming qualifying offers that may influence the draft order. Can you shed some light on that?
**[Expert Name]:** Of course. Players who declined qualifying offers from their teams can sign elsewhere, and those teams will receive compensatory picks based on the contract value.
**World Today News:** So, the more big-name free agents sign elsewhere, the clearer the draft order becomes.
**[expert Name]:** You got it. It’s a fascinating domino effect. You’ve got key players like Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, and Corbin burnes still out there. Every signing comes with a ripple effect on the draft.
**World Today News:**
It’s going to be a busy few weeks leading up to the draft! Any final thoughts on the 2025 MLB Draft and the importance of these Competitive balance Rounds?
**[expert Name]:** The Competitive Balance Rounds are crucial for smaller market teams and add another intriguing dimension to the draft process. It’s not just about who wins the lottery Tuesday – it’s about the behind-the-scenes deals and the decisions surrounding those coveted Competitive Balance Round picks. This year is shaping up to be particularly intriguing.
**World Today News:** Thanks for the insights, [Expert Name]. This is definately a draft to watch!
We’ll be providing ongoing coverage of the MLB Draft, so be sure to check back with us here at World Today News for all the latest news and analysis.
