Free-agent system is no relief to bullpen dwellers

The Elias rankings are out, which is one of those moments in the offseason that seems to become more important every year.

The draft each June seems to take on more importance every year as salaries escalate for the top picks. Scouting has never been better; few prospects fall through the cracks. A first-round pick is now more valuable in many cases than a decent free agent, especially to a rebuilding team. And there's the rub in the current free agent/draft pick system.

Any team that picks a Type A free agent - defined as a player in the top 20 percent of players at his position - loses its first-round draft pick next season. So being defined as a Type A free agent is not as good as it sounds for a player - it means teams that treasure their draft picks are going to think twice about getting involved in free agent bidding.

It only affects half of the teams. Those that finished in the bottom half of the major league standings can't surrender their first-round selection. And a team must offer arbitration to a free agent in order to receive compensation for him.

Now for the top free agents - guys this offseason such as Matt Holliday, Jason Bay and John Lackey - this won't matter much at all. They're legitimate star players, guys who are worth losing the pick. But for some reason, the Elias rankings have a flaw, and middle relievers are overvalued, especially this year.

Juan Cruz was hurt by this last season. He was inexplicably a Type A last year and wasn't signed until after spring training started, agreeing to a two-year deal with the Royals, who as a bottom-feeder didn't have to yield a first-rounder.

Players on that list this year: Rafael Betancourt (Rockies), John Grabow (Cubs), Kevin Gregg (Cubs), Darren Oliver (Angels), LaTroy Hawkins (Astros). Decent middle/setup relievers? Sure. Worth giving up a first-round pick? No way.

Check out: Free agent list - with Type A/Type B breakdowns.