Possible Rule Amendment - In season re-signings

[Dan Wood]

Plus the decision to sign or trade  a player is part of baseball. The Rays held on Crawford, knowing they needed him for the playoff run, and eventually the playoffs. The Twins dealt Santana knowing they couldn't afford him. Same with the Rangers/Braves with Texiera. Same with the Padres with Agon. It is a hard fact of life in MLB. That is not to say those teams gave up. The Rangers got two very good pieces in the deal for big Tex, which led to them being a playoff team a few years later. The Padres might end up being better without Agon, and with Rizzo, Kelly, and Fuentes. I just think resigning players during the season and having the salary kick in the following year, might help small market teams keep players while their value is on the rise, as opposed to when their value has reached it's echelon. With the way we correlate contracts to performance in this league, sometimes it is just about timing.

[lp815]

If we can keep track of money changing hands from year to year, then I think we can keep track of upcoming contracts. IMHO.

I'll skirt the debate on whether extensions kick in current year and next year, but I will pose a question to Dan/Ben...can you give me an idea of how a team would prepare for 'variable' salaries year to year?

I guess a more specific question would be, 'How do we know that managers in FGM will be fiscally smart about variable salaries year to year?'.  My concern is that this could absolutely ruin some teams with irresponsible managers.  What is the league's defense for a team that may be millions over the cap next season?

[Dan Wood]

The contract(s) would be voided and the player(s) would become free agents. Or we could also give a team a certain amount of time to get to their cap, like we do with trades.

I am just realizing this now, but this would also give teams a loop hole, to get around the sign/trade. So I would also like to add that anyone under a new contract cannot be dealt until 6/1 of the year that contract starts. Same as with free agents.

[lp815]

The contract(s) would be voided and the player(s) would become free agents. Or we could also give a team a certain amount of time to get to their cap, like we do with trades.

I know many members have made a point to say that FGM is trying to 'emulate the real MLB'...I don't believe this would be emulating it.  Plus, I'm not sure if we want members chomping at the bit and hoping we do have bad GM's, so others can pounce on their bad management and chase prospective FA's.

I'd much rather give the GM an opportunity to come under the cap.

[Colby]

The contract(s) would be voided and the player(s) would become free agents. Or we could also give a team a certain amount of time to get to their cap, like we do with trades.

I am just realizing this now, but this would also give teams a loop hole, to get around the sign/trade. So I would also like to add that anyone under a new contract cannot be dealt until 6/1 of the year that contract starts. Same as with free agents.

There definitely is a loop hole which just messes with the rules even further.

[bravesfan4]

The contract(s) would be voided and the player(s) would become free agents. Or we could also give a team a certain amount of time to get to their cap, like we do with trades.

I am just realizing this now, but this would also give teams a loop hole, to get around the sign/trade. So I would also like to add that anyone under a new contract cannot be dealt until 6/1 of the year that contract starts. Same as with free agents.

So again, if you resign a guy in the middle of season say July you must keep him until the next June 1st.... not good

[lp815]

I feel that the 60 day rule we have in effect on in-season signings and draftees would be sufficient for free-agents and re-signs.  Do we not have this already?  I'm not sure.

[Colby]

I feel that the 60 day rule we have in effect on in-season signings and draftees would be sufficient for free-agents and re-signs.  Do we not have this already?  I'm not sure.

It currently does not exist for extensions.

[Dan Wood]

We have a 60 day rule for draftees. I think the 6/1 rule should be in place for re-signees because they are in essence free agents. My point being, is if it is 60 days, they can still be moved during the off-season - probably before free agency starts . I don't think they should be able to change teams until the season starts.

[lp815]

I don't think they should be able to change teams until the season starts.

Why do you think that?  I'm not against it, just want to know your rationale behind it.