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« on: February 07, 2010, 02:25:34 AM »
I think we're also getting too wrapped up in the verbige of what constitutes a prospect versus a standard contract. I simply look at it as signing a prospect and spreading or pro-rating his signing bonus. It would be simpler if we classified it as a prospect contract from the beginning with an ending year such as Ryan Wheeler (P-2011). That way we identify the player as a prospect and clearly identify when his signing bonus ends. After 2011, his signing bonus has been paid off, and his salary goes down to 500K. He loses prospect status 3 years after pitching 40 innings or playing 50 games. From a records standpoint, it's no harder than tracking other prospects. The only tricky part would be if he passed the 40 IP or 50 games played prior to the end of the 2011 season when his signing bonus would have been paid off. If that happened, he would still cease to be a prospect exactly 3 years after the season in which that occurred. The real question is whether anyone cares whether the signing bonus is paid off in 1 year or multiple years. I liked Colby's ruling, because it allowed a small market team like mine to be able to sign good prospects wihout having to shell out the entire amount in 1 year.