But the hammer swings both ways. Because the Phillies lost Jayson Werth to the Nationals via free agency, the Phils received a pick in the compensation round that follows the first round and Washington's second-round pick.
In simple terms, because they signed Lee and lost Werth, the Phils' first pick isn't until No. 39.
The baseball draft is less about helping the big club next year and more about stocking the shelves of the farm system for the years beyond. Marti Wolever, Phillies director of scouting, identified a few holes he's hoping to fill.
"We try to look at the deficiencies in the organization or places we'd like to add some strength to," Wolever said. "Certainly, lefthanded pitching, catching and middle infield - a shortstop or two - would be great to have. We've kind of focused on that. As we go through [the draft], we'll see how it plays out. That may or may not happen, but we'll see."
Drafting late is nothing new for Wolever, who joined the Phils in 1992 and has been scouting director since 2001. The general manager, whether it's been Ed Wade, Pat Gillick or Ruben Amaro, hasn't been afraid to sign free agents (such as Lee, Jim Thome, David Bell, Raul Ibanez and Jon Lieber), but it's Wolever and his staff who must pay the tab in June.
There have been three drafts since 2003 in which the Phils haven't had a first-round pick and the early selections haven't been good. In 2003, the Phillies' first pick was forgettable second baseman Tim Moss in the third round. In 2005, third baseman Mike Costanzo was a second-round pick and lefthanded pitcher Matt Maloney was picked in the third. In 2009, outfielders Kelly Dugan and Kyrell Hudson were picked in the second and third rounds, respectively. Not exactly an Utley, Rollins, Howard or Hamels in that group.
