Things That Make You Go Hmm

I've been looking around the leagues i've been in lately. I started taking a closer look at the international market, the oversignings, the value signings and i've noticed a pattern that just doesn't make sense to me.

This being that some teams seem to "throw away" payroll. What i mean by this is that they will take $50,000-$1,500,000 and sign some international free agent who by and large could have the same ratings as a lower tier draft pick, only with the draft pick that bonus is around the $17,000-$30,000 price range.

So my question is why waste the payroll when you can get the same thing or better much cheaper in the draft? I believe the answer to my question lies in the nature of the international free agent signing system itself. That is to say that it's set up almost like a lottery or a Ebay auction.

You see the same basic thing as every one else, you then throw your name into a hat & by luck of the draw hope you win. With the lottery you win money, Ebay an item you want, in HBD you "win" the rights to a player of your desire.

It's certain GM's way of giving the draft system the finger. "I don't have a high enough pick to choose that player so i'll sign him in the market."

Which is all fine and dandy if the player is indeed worth it. It has been shown the value of a great IFA can be upwards of $35,000,000 in some worlds(which is to me flat out ridiculous) but everytime i see a 60 overall projected pitcher with poor core numbers sign for $1,300,000 it just makes me go hmm.

Just makes me think of those people who would go and max out their credit cards, re-mortgage their homes & surround themselves in debt before the current credit crisis all because they were sure it'd never come back to haunt them.

Thing of it is, you sign enough of those lower rung guys & you won't have a shot at landing the big fish then they come around.

But hey that's just my 0.02.