2010 Salary Cap Debate

[Colby]

I have received several questions about the workings of the variable salary cap.  I am open for it to change, but I do want the variable cap to stay so large and small market teams can be differentiated.  I think before money starts to be tossed around in free agency (especially offseason), we should get people's thoughts on the cap for 2010 and beyond.

I saw this setup in another 30-team franchise league, and I think it may suit us better than using one number at the top for the Yankees and then dropping by X amount for each franchise....

• Tier 1 – Yankees
• 2008 Salary Cap Amount for Tier 1 - $140 million
• 1 Franchise Option

• Tier 2 – Red Sox, Mets, Angels, Tigers, Cubs
• 2008 Salary Cap Amount for Tier 2 - $120 million
• 1 Franchise Option
• 1 Restricted Option

• Tier 3 – Astros, Dodgers, Mariners, White Sox, Braves, Phillies
• 2008 Salary Cap Amount for Tier 3 - $100 million
• 2 Franchise Options
• 1 Restricted Option

• Tier 4 – Blue Jays, Rays, Brewers, Twins, Reds, Rangers, Royals, Indians, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Giants, Cardinals, Orioles,
• 2008 Salary Cap Amount for Tier 4 - $90 million
• 2 Franchise Options
• 2 Restricted Options

• Tier 5 – Athletics, Pirates, Nationals, Marlins, Padres
• 2008 Salary Cap Amount for Tier 5 - $80 million
• 3 Franchise Options
• 3 Restricted Options

Now, we would have to use different numbers, but maybe a setup like this would work...

Tier 1 - Team with #1 ranked max salary of previous season has cap of $250m, one RFA tag
Tier 2 - Next 2 teams, cap of $200m, one RFA tag
Tier 3 - Next 3 teams, cap of $150m, one RFA tag
Tier 4 - Next 4 teams, cap of $125m, two RFA tag
Tier 5 - Next 5 teams, cap of $100m, two RFA tag
Tier 6 - Next 5 teams, cap of $90m, two RFA tag
Tier 7 - Next 4 teams, cap of $80m, three RFA tag
Tier 8 - Next 3 teams, cap of $70m, three RFA tag
Tier 9 - Next 2 teams, cap of $60m, three RFA tag
Tier 10 - Bottom team, cap of $50m, four RFA tag

This enables the small market teams to at least get a shot to match some contracts (most likely small ones), and it cleans up the enormous amount a cap room that the mid and large market teams have right now compared to the small market squads.

Currently, the cap room from #1 to #30 looks like:
 $33.0
 $96.5
 $91.5
 $59.5
 $90.5
 $83.5
 $93.0
 $76.5
 $64.3
 $94.0
 $74.5
 $45.5
 $69.0
 $78.5
 $63.0
 $45.5
 $22.5
 $35.5
 $70.0
 $53.5
 $48.5
 $8.0
 $26.5
 $8.0
 $13.0
 $(11.5)
 $8.4
 $2.0
 $(1.5)
 $0.5

My recommended system would change it
 $33.0
 $53.5
 $55.5
 $1.5
 $11.5
 $11.5
 $3.0
 $7.5
 $16.3
 $18.0
 $(5.5)
 $0.5
 $3.0
 $(8.5)
 $4.0
 $4.5
 $2.5
 $8.5
 $8.0
 $5.5
 $4.5
 $(8.0)
 $3.5
 $6.0
 $(6.0)
 $(9.5)
 $3.4
 $1.0
 $11.5
 $(3.5)

[JMGC]

I like your recommended salary cap, it is better than the one we currently have.

[Padres GM]

I don't mind the RFA thing, however, if I keep some RFAs I won't be able to sign ANY free agents because I'd be over the cap...

[Colby]

I don't mind the RFA thing, however, if I keep some RFAs I won't be able to sign ANY free agents because I'd be over the cap...

You may be over the cap with your inherited team.  See the Nationals as an example.

[Padres GM]

and that makes no sense....

[Colby]

and that makes no sense....

I am not going to fault what you inherit.  The caps keep teams within a market status, and the more I think about it, the more I think this tiered cap will be used for the 2009 season.  I will publish it tomorrow just in time for free agency.

[firehawk19]

your way sounds good to me... doesnt matter tho,   more big bucks for me to spend the other way.  lol

[Colby]

your way sounds good to me... doesnt matter tho,   more big bucks for me to spend the other way.  lol

VERDICT: Well, I may be blasted by some for this and it may be well received by others, but I decided to change the cap for 2009.  There was going to be such a high influx of cash available for teams that was imaginary and wouldn't stick around for the new caps of 2010.  This would cause a lot of salary cap hits that were unintentional.

Please check the rules with the new tiers, and the caps for everyone.  Free agency has begun, so you may start bidding on players now.

[lp815]

I am satisfied with the new rules.  :-)  Good job Colby.