For those who follow the Atlanta Braves' farm system and prospects, the name Alfredo Sena is very well known. Sena is widely considered to be the best prospect in the upcoming international free agent class, and there is a real chance that he ends up as a generational talent. The Braves signing the teenage shortstop would be enormous for the future of the organization, but that deal is currently under threat from the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement talks.
Among the many issues set to be hashed out in CBA negotiations during the upcoming lockout is whether or not to create an international draft. While that in itself isn't necessarily a problem, the timing of an international draft is a big deal, and MLB and the owners are apparently trying to institute a draft to govern this year's international free-agent class.
If that happens, the Braves can kiss Sena goodbye.
NEWS: On Wednesday, MLB presented a new International Draft proposal to front offices at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas.
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) November 11, 2026
The ramifications would be massive.
No Shoki Oda
No Alfredo Sena
No Mairon De La Rosa
The proposal, analysis, and what it means going forward:
👇STORY👇 pic.twitter.com/AGITgwMHJH
MLB is pushing for an international draft immediately after the signing of a new CBA, but the Braves shouldn't worry too much just yet
Make no mistake. If MLB gets their wish with their demands for an international draft this year, the Braves will not get a chance to sign Sena. There is (almost) no version of an international draft, given where the Braves finished the 2026 season, that would net Atlanta the No. 1 overall pick, which would be necessary to bring Sena into the fold.
However, a closer look at the details shows the accelerated timing is likely just a negotiating ploy from the league. Given the governments, agencies, and teams involved, there is little chance all of the involved parties will agree on a format in time to actually have a draft in place this year. In these sorts of talks, everything is up for negotiation, and the league is clearly trying to establish their leverage early.
The question now is how MLBPA will respond. Unlike other issues on the table, both sides have previously agreed that an international draft would be in the best interest of baseball going forward. However, the odds that MLBPA will agree to immediately change the current system and upset an entire class of new members and their handlers are basically zero. The only real question is just how hard they are willing to fight it.
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