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Before we settled on the current RFA system, I pushed for an Arbitration system. At the time we didn't have a good foundation for valuing players, but the current contract rules would certainly do the trick. The only problem is the RFA tags are meant to help smaller markets more than large markets, and arbitration doesn't necessarily accomplish that.
I agree. I like the RFA for the simple reason of helping smaller market clubs. Going to a 2 week period at the end of our season would be a huge win for the league. Here is the only downside. You will be forced to make moves on players without knowing there current real life situation. However the positives outway the negatives. It would be more like the real mlb and improve FA.
Here is my hesitation - you think it should improve FA, but would it? I can tell you that even with only one or two weeks, I still would have traded all of the big names listed in the OP (Fielder, Lee, Werth, Gallardo). I may have received less in return with less time to shop around, but I would not have shipped them before the deadline last year (had championship aspirations), and they would still not have reached FA this year...
I agree you would have been able to move them. But others would not have been moved. The class would be a little deeper. Thus more talent and less bad contracts. Your situation last year is why I believe we should have a little time after the season. If we do away with it, and allow all guys to be FA after the year, then in theory your team would have been screwed. Im sure you gave up some good specs to acquire some of those guys and you shouldnt be punished in the long run for making a run at it. Thus you should definately be allowed to resign or trade them. Just not 2 months worth.
MLB clubs do not retain a players rights once the season has ended, just the right of an exclusive negotiating window, which I believe is five days. Just my two cents.
As a result, mediocre or aging players will wind up getting contracts on par with some of the stars, which in the long-term will affect many teams ability to compete or move these bad long-term deals should they try to do so down the road