NCAA baseball coaches and MLB officials on Monday came to a "general agreement on a July 1 draft and July 15 signing deadline," according to MLB Network's Peter Gammons (TWITTER.com, 1/21). YAHOO SPORTS' Mark Townsend notes the new date would push the draft back "until after the College World Series, which usually wraps up in mid-June." While "that's only one step," it "could prove to be a big one if both sides stick to their guns." They would also "have to gain the approval of the MLBPA and add it" to the CBA. That is a "potentially bigger hurdle, but at least they would form a united front should that battle take place." There are likely "more details both sides would like to iron out before finalizing such an agreement or moving forth with a proposal, but it's clear that the NCAA coaches are looking to eliminate the ill-timed distraction players face with the early June draft coinciding with regionals and the College World Series" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/22).
TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE: CBSSPORTS.com's Mike Axisa wrote moving the draft "would create a lot of logistical issues for professional baseball leagues." Short season Single-A teams "usually have a ton of recent draftees on their rosters" and "begin play in late June, so a July 1 draft means they will either have to start with depleted rosters or begin the season later." Unless "moving the draft is a precursor" to an int'l draft, it is "hard to see what MLB gains" with the move (CBSSPORTS.com, 1/21).
