I do not like the random order of FA Drafts.
Why? If you are in a very competitive league, and you have a team with a crummy record, you should receive a higher pick. This is done in MLB for obvious reasons. When you are struggling through a re-building effort, you should not be further handicapped by a poor random pick.

Case in point: One of my teams the SF Solons in 98RT3 finished 2002 at 64-96, the 4th worst record in the league. I ended up with the 13 FA pick in a 24 team league, so the flip after the first round was a wash. Needing starters just to fill innings who did I get?

Jeff Austin.

Who then set some sort of dubious record for HR's or runs allowed over three starts, I don't remember anything more about him besides cutting him. Neagle and Elarton were subsequent first and second round busts as well.

Not that there was a whole lot better after Austin, though I did miss on Podsednik who went in round two, and possibly Tejera who ended up in Long Relief anyway.

Randomness may be fun in picking Powerball numbers, but when it comes to FA drafting order in RT it is simply unfair.

Now for my analysis of who got the first four picks in 98RT3 in the FA Draft of 2003, their teams W-L in 2002, and where they ended up W-L in 2003, and how their drafted players performed.

My intention is to show that randomness, overly benefits good teams when they end up in favorable FA draft positions. This situation hamstrings re-building owners and diminishes interest in keeping mediocre teams, and IMO, will lead to an increse in un-managed teams in general.
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Number 1 FA 2003 Pick: Oak Forest

2002 Record: 68-92--tied for the 6th worst record.
2003 Record: 97-63 and a trip to the LCS

Player Drafted: Gil Meche, who became Trot Nixon, and later Trot was part of a trade that became Guillen and Burnett who is then tucked away on the farm while he heals for '04. Guillen plays in 91 games, hits .305, with 543. Slg. And while Oak Forest is swept in the LCS Playoffs, they have Burnett possibly ready sometime in 'O4 and Guillen in a potent Angel lineup in '04 as well.

Not bad for Meche, and the 6th worst record in the league.
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Number 2 FA Pick: Burbank

2002 Record: 89-71---7th worst record.
2003 Record: 89-72---Wins a playoff for the WC.

Player Drafted: Esteban Loiaza, who is worth
246 IP and 15 wins. Definitely a factor in the WC drive, as he pitches 6 innings in the WC playoff game, which Burbank wins 10-4. 2004 prognosis somewhat unknown as '03 was possibly a one season abnomality.
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Number 3 FA Pick: Lee County

2002 Record: 86-74---9th Best Record Overall
2003 Record: 61-99

Player Drafted: Adam Bernero, simply a bad choice given that Dmitri Young and Jake Westbrook went at numbers 4 and 8 respectively. Young could have been traded and Westbrook appears to have more upside than Bernero, who spent much time in the pen honing his craft, as he suffered against lefty's. Westbrook had very even splits in '03 and being a GB pitcher has a better upside than Bernero. Bernero goes 3-9 pitches 104 medicore INN for Lee County and is cut. He ends up being drafted by pitching rich Glen Ellen in round 5 of the monthly FA draft where he goes 4-1 with a 2.67 era in 27 innings. '04 prognosis iffy. Overall a bad pick by Lee County ownership.

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Number 4 FA Pick: Glenn Ellen

2002 Record: 80-80---10 Best Record Overall
2003 Record: 85-75 Divisional Winner

Player Drafted: Dmitri Young. Young yielded a fine season for Glenn Ellen. 459 PA, .311 RS avg. while cove