Dear League Members,
As many of you know, Rick and I are in the midst of our third year of being Co-Commissioners of FGM. We have tried to do a variety of things to stablize the league, and hopefully, those things have made your fantasy experience an enjoyable one. We have several members who have been in the league a number of years, some of whom are former Commissioners and Trade Committee members, and some who have been in the league since it's inception. Our "Founding Father" is a member of the is league and we are fortunate to have a variety of knowledgeable GMs who have raised the competitive value of the league.
I believe that we have a league which has been responsive to the every changing landscape in the world of MLB and our hope is to remain on the cutting edge of what is needed for the good of the league. We also understand that there are some things which have clung to historical ties, but for the most part, Rick and I are proud of what is operating as the 2017 edition of Franchise GM.
With that, we all know that the longevity of a league is always affected by commitment and participation. Turnover is always an issue in any league such as ours--where success is predicated on a commitment to year round participation. We presently have two teams who have been abandoned by their GMs--the Nationals and the Marlins. I have been searching for replacements by contacting virtually everyone who signs onto the ProFSL board, but I have been unable to find anyone interested in taking over either of those two franchises. As a Commissioner, it is my sincere belief that it is counterproductive to sit by and let either of these teams continue their slide into oblivion.
The Marlins are actually in pretty good shape with the 13th best record in the league, good for second in the NL East. They are within shouting distance of a Wild Card spot, but given we are in the final weeks of the season, they are not likely to make up an eight game deficit. Nonetheless, the Marlins possess some quality players that make it an attractive enough team for someone looking to join our league. The dilemma facing that franchise is whether to extend several players whose contracts expire at the end of the season. If a new owner has not been found by the end of the season, the decision as to who to extend will obviously be something for Rick and I to consider. More on that later if the situation requires our intervention.
Washington, on the other hand, is a complete disaster. It has many, many holes and those holes could have been filled through free agency, but in spite of my encouragement, the present GM failed to utilized his available cap to add productive players to his roster. He has logged on a few times during the season, but his team remains a disaster and, without some intervention, is a team that no one would want to take over. Therefore, in the interest of the league, and in an effort to make the Washington franchise a viable part of the league, we are placing the Nationals into a receivership and removing the present GM from further association with the team. This is not to say that either of us is a fantasy guru who can magically transform the team, it is only a further commitment on our part, as Co-Commissioners, that we recognize that there is a problem and the solution for resolution rests on our shoulders.
We have not done something like this previously, but again, with the condition of the franchise being what it is, we have to do something to try and improve it's standing. As a team in receivership, the Nationals will not be allowed to trade with either the Giants or the Dodgers. Our sole intent is to improve the roster to a point where it is attractive to entice a new owner.
As always, we hope you understand that we are committed to making sure that FGM remains a viable league, from top to bottom. That said, if anyone has an alternative solution to our present dilemma with the Washington franchise, please, feel free to post your suggestion--otherwise, we shall proceed with the receivership post haste.
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Post Script: After sending out a leaguewide PM, GeofftheScout has reaffirmed his commitment to being the GM of the Marlins and will continue to be a part of the league.
