New Flash: Discussion of 60 Day No Trade Referendum

[Flash]

GMs,

As I travel to various sites and eateries in London, Rome, Lucca, and Florence, I have been contemplating the following on various trains and planes.  Please forgive the length of this post, but I see no other way to address the issue without a full explanation—so please read, contemplate, and respond.

I am posting this announcement to solicit the support of 7 other GMs to co-sponsor a referendum to abolish, or change, the present 60 day no trade rule that is currently in place.  As a backdrop, the stated goal of Franchise GM is to mirror MLB as much as possible, while maintaining some unique qualities that distinguishes FGM from other fantasy baseball leagues.  Over the years we have initiated some changes to adapt with the ever changing landscape of MLB, while maintaining the integrity of our league as conceived.  As a result, from my vantage point, I believe we have a very strong and viable league.

The 60 day rule has been a part of FGM from its inception, but, it would seem, that the time has come to think about implementing a change to facilitate a better fantasy experience.  During the course of our existence, we have experienced several changes in leadership, but as stated, throughout it all, we have maintained the integrity established by the founder of the league.  With that, we have also come to understand that change is not something to fear, it is sometimes a necessity required by the ever changing landscape of our league.  From my perspective, we have grown stronger as a league by dealing with a variety of issues in a positive and direct way.  Through league wide communication and involvement, we have found amicable solutions to trade approval issues, MiLB roster use, compensation for Type A free agents, and streamlined our governing rules so they can be more easily referenced.

So, I believe the time has come to discuss the ramifications of our 60 day rule regarding signed free agents.  As a league moderator, I am seeking league wide input that goes beyond my recent post regarding a “tweaking of the rule”.  From my perspective, to preserve the integrity of our league, and for the benefit of all, the time has come for the subject to be fully discussed.  As it stands, here is how the rule is written (with my recent request to tweak the rule):

“Item AX B(1)-5.0
Free Agent signings cannot be traded until 60 days after they have signed.  This date will be shown per each player in the official rosters section.  In addition to our 60-day NTC rule, any players signed to extensions as well as FA contracts in the offseason cannot be traded until June 1st the following year.”

In the recent replies to my post regarding our 60 day, no trade rule, there were no objections to tweaking the rule to remove the June 1st provision for off-season free agent acquisitions.  However, within the posted responses, there were some inquiries regarding the merits of the rule—with the central issue being whether it was necessary, in light of the fact,  that there is currently no such provision in MLB.  There was one response alluding to maybe having a 30 day rule, with a concern related to flipping a newly acquired free agent right away, but even there,  it should be pointed out that trading players is a fluid process in MLB, as evidenced by the multitude of trades the MLB Seattle Mariners completed during the 2017 offseason (eleven if I recall correctly).

So, although I previously posted that this issue would be revisited after the 2018 season, I have come to believe that maybe it’s time to see if there is enough interest in discussing the issue now.  We currently have the following provision in our governing rules to institute change through a league wide referendum, with no regard to timing or implementation.  Last season, through a referendum, we changed our compensation rules to align our league operations with the new MLB CBA just after its approval, and implemented it in accordance with the articles of the newly adopted CBA. In this instance, however, we have no such guidelines regarding implementation other than what we choose to do.  Here is the rule we have regarding a referendum:

“8.) Any GM in the league may propose a general referendum to be considered by the entire league if at least eight (8) member co-sponsor the referendum.  A referendum must receive at least 16 votes to be implemented—this would be a simple majority of 15 + 1.”

So, my intent here, is two fold:
1:  To gauge the sentiment of the league regarding our present 60 day, no trade rule; and
2:  To see if there are seven other GMs who wish to join me in support of a referendum to do one of the following:
      A) Keep the rule as written (with the June 1st provision deleted);
      B) Adjust the rule to 30 days; or
      C) Abolish the rule in its entirety and mirror MLB.

If there is enough support for a referendum, then it would be presented to league members for a vote as outlined above.

Please post your views so that we can know how to proceed as a league.

[papps]

First off Flash, you sound like you are on a dream vacation.  I am extremely jealous.  Hope you are enjoying yourself!! 

I would like to show my support of the referendum to take a look at the 60 day real and come to a league wide consensus on what we can do to improve.  I have been very vocal the last couple years in wanting more league activity and I think this is a good thing for a lot of new members to come in and voice their opinions on how our league can be run in the future. 

I don't see the 60 day rule as something helps our league, especially in the off-season.  I don't see harm in signing a free agent and being able to trade him right away.  If a team is willing to give up fair market value for any player I believe it doesn't matter when you acquire him.  I believe this should go for extensions as well.  If I extend a player he still should be able to be traded at any time. 

I'm really happy Flash decided to have a conversation now about this.  With the season about to start I think this is a great way to get new members involved in the league discussion, no matter what we decide to do.  No opinion is a bad opinion.  Leadership has done a great job in the last few years in listening to the league and implementing new rules they feel will be best.  Hopefully lots of GMs get involved here and with their input and we come up with a possible tweak that make sense. 

Thanks again Flash for opening up the forum for conversation. 

[Paul S.]

I believe the 60 day rule is necessary for signings and extensions to prevent large market teams from signing players and immediately trading them.  The June 1st date should be eliminated in both cases as it serves no useful purpose.

[Anthony]

I support either getting rid of it, or just moving it to 60 days, and eliminate the June 1st date.

[dedreger]

I support either getting rid of it, or just moving it to 60 days, and eliminate the June 1st date.

I feel the same.

[Sea_Max]

Cleveland would support any of the proposals but especially (C):   Abolish the rule in its entirety and mirror MLB.

[JimmySmithers]

Cleveland would support any of the proposals but especially (C):   Abolish the rule in its entirety and mirror MLB.

I fully agree

[kidd5jersey]

I think 60day rule makes teams compete. So often, people completely punt and punt early disrupting the flow of things. I also see sign and trades an issue. Additionally, it gives big market clubs even more power because they can sign, retain, and trade to help teams with cap problems. I like the 60day rule.

Kevin TB

[BHows]

I have no problem getting rid of the June 1 rule but I think we need to keep 60 day rule on Free Agents

[jpmanchester]

I'd be for removing the June 1st rule, but don't really care on the 60 day rule. Could go either way on that one. I think it might make sense to remove the 60 day rule for in season FA signings since needs change quicker. But leave the 60 day rule for off-season FA signings to avoid hasty decisions while the lengthy FA process takes place.

Things change rather quickly in FA too depending how bidding goes so I could see removing it there too. Although it seems like the intention is for a more deliberate FA market in FGM, so that may be a good reason to leave it in place in the off-season.

Either way though, the in season 60 day rule on FAs seems unnecessary.