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amead17 · 12-13-2025, 08:59 AM

December 31, 2022

On the Eve of the Draft: Raiders Enter the Unknown

Tomorrow, the San Jose Raiders stop being an idea and start becoming a roster.

The inaugural PBA draft opens on New Year’s Day, a sprawling, marathon event that will stretch across 180 rounds, designed not just to stock major league clubs but to populate the entire professional and minor league ecosystem that comes with this newly formed association. By the time it ends, every franchise will look very different than it does tonight.

Right now, the Raiders’ depth chart is empty.

By this time tomorrow, it won’t be.

A Financial Reality Check

While owner Jeff Cherry has shown a willingness to spend since taking control of the franchise, assembling the financial foundation necessary for this draft has proven difficult. The Raiders are expected to enter the process with approximately $150 million to work with—an amount that places them near the very bottom of the league.

To put that in perspective, league whispers suggest the Los Angeles White Hawks could be operating with as much as $350 million at their disposal.

This is the new reality of life in the Pacific Division: different markets, different margins for error, and very different room to recover from mistakes. Every decision made tomorrow will matter more for San Jose than it will for some of their rivals.

Enter Emanuel Black

That responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of Emanuel Black, the Raiders’ newly appointed general manager. Black is largely unknown in baseball circles, an unproven quantity stepping into one of the most demanding jobs in the sport at a moment when there is no precedent to lean on.

Those familiar with Black describe him as sensible, not flashy. Historically, he has shown a preference for veterans over younger players, valuing experience and reliability. Whether that tendency survives contact with the Raiders’ budget is an open question.

There are also clear philosophical leanings:

Hitting over pitching

Offense over defense

Speed and batting average as prized traits

In theory, that approach can shape a competitive, entertaining team. In practice, it requires precision—especially when dollars are limited and the draft board is deep, chaotic, and constantly shifting.

Pressure Without Precedent

The challenge for Black isn’t just finding talent—it’s finding value, repeatedly, over the course of 180 rounds. This draft won’t be won at the top alone. It will hinge on identifying players others overlook, managing resources carefully, and resisting the temptation to chase names the Raiders simply can’t afford.

Tomorrow will offer the first real glimpse into how this front office intends to operate.

Is Black flexible enough to adjust his preferences?
Can he balance experience with necessity?
Will philosophy bend to budget—or break under it?

The First Test

By this time tomorrow night, the Raiders will have a foundation. It may not be flashy. It may not be expensive. But it will be theirs.

The inaugural draft is the first true test of this franchise’s leadership, and for Emanuel Black, it’s the opening chapter of a career that begins under immediate scrutiny.

The picks start tomorrow.

The evaluation starts immediately after.

12-13-2025, 08:59 AM	#3
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,175	December 31, 2022 On the Eve of the Draft: Raiders Enter the Unknown Tomorrow, the San Jose Raiders stop being an idea and start becoming a roster. The inaugural PBA draft opens on New Year’s Day, a sprawling, marathon event that will stretch across 180 rounds, designed not just to stock major league clubs but to populate the entire professional and minor league ecosystem that comes with this newly formed association. By the time it ends, every franchise will look very different than it does tonight. Right now, the Raiders’ depth chart is empty. By this time tomorrow, it won’t be. A Financial Reality Check While owner Jeff Cherry has shown a willingness to spend since taking control of the franchise, assembling the financial foundation necessary for this draft has proven difficult. The Raiders are expected to enter the process with approximately $150 million to work with—an amount that places them near the very bottom of the league. To put that in perspective, league whispers suggest the Los Angeles White Hawks could be operating with as much as $350 million at their disposal. This is the new reality of life in the Pacific Division: different markets, different margins for error, and very different room to recover from mistakes. Every decision made tomorrow will matter more for San Jose than it will for some of their rivals. Enter Emanuel Black That responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of Emanuel Black, the Raiders’ newly appointed general manager. Black is largely unknown in baseball circles, an unproven quantity stepping into one of the most demanding jobs in the sport at a moment when there is no precedent to lean on. Those familiar with Black describe him as sensible, not flashy. Historically, he has shown a preference for veterans over younger players, valuing experience and reliability. Whether that tendency survives contact with the Raiders’ budget is an open question. There are also clear philosophical leanings: Hitting over pitching Offense over defense Speed and batting average as prized traits In theory, that approach can shape a competitive, entertaining team. In practice, it requires precision—especially when dollars are limited and the draft board is deep, chaotic, and constantly shifting. Pressure Without Precedent The challenge for Black isn’t just finding talent—it’s finding value, repeatedly, over the course of 180 rounds. This draft won’t be won at the top alone. It will hinge on identifying players others overlook, managing resources carefully, and resisting the temptation to chase names the Raiders simply can’t afford. Tomorrow will offer the first real glimpse into how this front office intends to operate. Is Black flexible enough to adjust his preferences? Can he balance experience with necessity? Will philosophy bend to budget—or break under it? The First Test By this time tomorrow night, the Raiders will have a foundation. It may not be flashy. It may not be expensive. But it will be theirs. The inaugural draft is the first true test of this franchise’s leadership, and for Emanuel Black, it’s the opening chapter of a career that begins under immediate scrutiny. The picks start tomorrow. The evaluation starts immediately after. Last edited by amead17; 12-13-2025 at 09:00 AM.