Don't agree with elimating the drafting system.
Look at European football. The only real chance you have at getting elite talent (if you don't have an oil tycoon for an owner) is if you sign a kid when he's like 12 years old into your academy... And then the chances of that kid being sold 2-3 years into his professional career are sky high if he's any good. The end result is that the same 10 teams dominate the continent for eternity.
There is no Tampa Bay Rays in the EPL, Serie A, La Liga, Budesliga, etc. where a savvy GM can do the things that Friedman does.