I’ve been kinda following this, although I always get bored by the legal minutae (which is no doubt important, but I just don’t understand a lot of it).  I can see how this is potentially important and I do agree that these kids should be allowed legal representation.

I do question TCM’s assumption that the Rule IV deprives the drafted player of bargaining power.  (If I understand him correctly)  I see this POV often expressed.  The notion that amateur players would reap bigger benefits if they could negotiate with all 30 clubs.  Perhaps that is true for most of the amateur players who enter the pro ranks but I question if that is true for the elite players.  Elite amateurs, i.e. Alvarez, have enormous leverage negotiating with the club that drafts them.  If the club doesn’t sign that player, yes they are compensated in the next draft, but that stunts the organization’s progress and the clubs REALLY need to sign these high picks (high school players have the option of playing college and re-entering the draft)...The inflationary effects (affects?, #### grammar)of the Rule IV (damn it Craig, I still like IV) are often cited as one of the reasons that more players are coming from countries not subject to it (although with Inoa et al this past year…) 

Anyway, all that to say that these elite amateurs might reap less money if all 30 clubs could negotiate with any and every amateur instead of only the amateurs they draft.

The Rule IV is an important subject.