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Winter Meeting Conclude: Draft to Expand to 20 Rounds
December 12th, 2012.
The winter meetings concluded today in Scottsdale Arizona and the biggest news to come from them was the Unaminous decision by the Owners and General Managers to expand the annual First Year Player Draft from 15 rounds to 20. Some teams were having a hard time fielding enough players for their low level minor league teams and we believe that by giving General Managers 5 more selections per season they can field more players to adequately fill every level of their minor league system.
Toronto Blue Jays GM Ryan Stewart ont he draft expansion "I was pushing for it from the begining. It gives us 5 more chances to catch lightning in a bottle and maybe pick up that late round gem that can blossom into a superstar"
On the Blue Jays front everything is quiet as the Jays made no moves during the meetings leaving everyone to believe that they will fill their empty roster spots from within their own organization. GM Ryan Stewart on his lack of activity during the winter meetings "I wouldn't call it a lack of activity it wasn't like we weren't trying to make a move. The prices were just too steep. We don't want to give up any of our young arms in the starting rotation or one of our young corner outfielders to bring in first baseman or second baseman. every trade we discussed involved one of our young players and I am not willing to fill one hole but create another. Spring training is still a few months away and there is still time to make moves so we will see what happens"
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