New rule idea for 2016

[Fitzy1962]

I'd like to see a debate regarding rules for MLB rosters. I feel that every team should field a full roster of MLB players.

Having an MLB roster of minor leaguers is not in-line with reality.

There are no MLB teams which do not field a team of players on MLB contracts.

This league loves to refer to itself as being about replicating MLB.

As long as teams are allowed to have a roster of players who are not in the Majors, this league is NOT replicating major league baseball.

This "non rule" needs to be heavily revisited by the league.

[chrisetc21]

It doesn't sound like you thought that one out very well. 

[snbts]

In theory yes that would be a good rule but it all depends on how one spends their salary cap.  MLB doesn't really have a cap.  Also teams have signed players up that would normally fill a roster spot and teams next year could not field a full roster.  They have to fill their roster with minor leaguers otherwise they will not accumulate points for the week.

[fperric]

I thought we already had a rule for this?   Not fielding a full lineup is a slap in the face to the teams fighting for playoff spots.  I like a nice blow out win as much as anyone, but the competitive balance in a league like this one, should not be thrown off by tanking.  If you field a lineup and still get your ass handed to you, so be it, but fielding a bunch of guys in the minors or out of baseball altogether (especially when major leaguers are sitting on your bench) should be outlawed.  Period.

thanks,
  frank-brewers

[indiansnation]

I agree with fperic to a point. I dont think a team should be able start a minor league player on a active roster thats not call up. I see in alot of leagues that are allowing it.

[chrisetc21]

I thought we already had a rule for this?   Not fielding a full lineup is a slap in the face to the teams fighting for playoff spots.  I like a nice blow out win as much as anyone, but the competitive balance in a league like this one, should not be thrown off by tanking.  If you field a lineup and still get your ass handed to you, so be it, but fielding a bunch of guys in the minors or out of baseball altogether (especially when major leaguers are sitting on your bench) should be outlawed.  Period.

thanks,
  frank-brewers

It's imposible for 30 teams to field 25 major league players when some teams have full rosters with major leaguers and major league players in their minors.  It's just math.

[indiansnation]

I understand what chrisetc21  is saying but I also see what they are trying. to do. Here it is example. I'll use christec21 and me. Say christec21 is adding players left and right to his team and I know I want to build me team up from minors. I'm not adding players as quick as christec21 is. That's kinda the problem. Im not saying u shouldnt keep minors on your team what I'm saying is a team just can't keep all minors on a team and not go after free agents that's the whole issue. I can see building up from your minors is one thing but not putting a effort in going after fa is another thing. I guess what I'm saying there should be a limit on amount of fa a team should have. But u also can't tell a team owner how to run his team as long as the owner isn't trying to tank his team by getting best prospects year after year. Just got to figure out he's solution out there.

[Jss0062]

Currently the rule is a minimum of 10 major league players active and earning points.  A full roster is difficult for every team, especially rebuilding teams, to fill completely.  Myself as an example, I entered the season with a starting lineup that was not deep.  Cosart who I was expecting to be a solid #3 has been in the minors half the year.  Wandy Rodriguez had a really good spring and looked to be in the Braves rotation only to be released and later picked up and released again.  Buchanan a back end starter has been up and down.  I have 2 young starters (Morgan and Tropeano) in the minors that have made a combined 15 starts this season.  Morgan was a midseason call up and I am choosing not to burn a year of control as I was already out of the playoffs when he came up. 

Possibly the only rule change that could help is changing the free agent status of prospect contracts concerning players with 3 or more years of service.
Making all signings of those free agent players a 1 year deal would make a deeper major league ready free agent pool yearly.

[chrisetc21]

Possibly the only rule change that could help is changing the free agent status of prospect contracts concerning players with 3 or more years of service.
Making all signings of those free agent players a 1 year deal would make a deeper major league ready free agent pool yearly.

This would dramatically damage franchises that are rebuilding.  Not only do they lose three years of arbitration level contracts, they likely lose the three most productive years of that player's career through arbitration.  Just incredibly damaging. 

[Jss0062]

I'm not suggesting that home grown players be a free agent after 3 years.

A guy like Chris Narveson who is a free agent in our league has 4 years of service time. If he were to be signed to a minor league contract he would be property of the signing team indefinitely. I suggested that guys like him who have more than 3 years of service time and are signed to a minor league contract be declared a free agent after 2 years spent in that organization much like maxed out arb guys on a minor league deal is good for only one season. If added to the 40man their contract would be like any other.

Again just a suggestion that would make more replacement level major league players available on a yearly basis for teams needing to fill out a roster.