The Elias ranking of free agents in order to determine compensation is comprised of a mostly ridiculous formula that's rooted in the 1850s and badly needs updating. It's not going to happen anytime soon.
The great part about the medieval formula is how often the Type As are players you want no part of regardless of the loss of a draft pick.
Type As:
Bobby Abreu, Doug Brocail, A.J. Burnett, Pat Burrell, Orlando Cabrera, Juan Cruz, Ryan Dempster, Adam Dunn, Brian Fuentes, Brian Giles, Trevor Hoffman, Bobby Howry, Orlando Hudson, Raul Ibanez, Derek Lowe, Damaso Marte, Jamie Moyer, Mike Mussina, Darren Oliver, Oliver Perez, Andy Pettitte, Manny Ramirez, Edgar Renteria, Francisco Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Russ Springer, Mark Teixeira, Jason Varitek and Kerry Wood
Notable on the list of Type Bs is Arthur Rhodes, who, as it turns out, might have netted us more hanging on to him. C'est la vie.
Also, hey Randy Johnson and Mike Cameron who would be possible great bargain pick ups.
Type Bs:
Jeremy Affeldt, Moises Alou, Garret Anderson, Luis Ayala, Joe Beimel, Casey Blake, Casey Blake, Milton Bradley, Paul Byrd, Mike Cameron, Alan Embree, Eric Gagne, Jon Garland, Luis Gonzalez, Ken Griffey, Mark Grudzielanek, LaTroy Hawkins, Jason Isringhausen, Randy Johnson, Jeff Kent, Paul LoDuca, Braden Looper, Mark Loretta, Brandon Lyon, Greg Maddux, Brad Penny, Denny Reyes, Arthur Rhodes, Ivan Rodriguez, Rudy Seanez, Brian Shouse, John Smoltz, Frank Thomas, Salomon Torres, Juan Uribe, David Weathers, Randy Wolf and Gregg Zaun.