It's NOT Service Time: The Mets' Cold-Blooded McLean Strategy.

The reason the Mets waited so long to call up Nolan McLean wasn't about saving a year of team control or being cheap, as many have speculated. It was a calculated move by David Stearns to secure a potential extra first-round draft pick. Under the new CBA, a top-100 prospect who qualifies as a rookie and wins Rookie of the Year or finishes in the top three for MVP or Cy Young can earn their team a compensatory pick. By delaying McLean's call-up until he had only 44 days of service time, the Mets ensured he would still qualify for rookie status in a future season, giving the organization a shot at this valuable incentive. While some argue that waiting for a draft pick is a "crock" and that the team should have prioritized winning now, it's clear this strategic decision was all about building for the long-term future.