Position Rankings for Free Agents and Extensions

[rcankosy]

This question pertains to Jose Bautista, but it could apply to other players as well.  It is also pertinent for free agent signings as well as extensions.  Will Bautista be considered a CI or OF for extension purposes?  he is currently ranked # 1 in both positions, but the contract dollars are quite different.  At CI, the # 1 ranked player would make $27.5M.  At OF, the # 1 ranked player would make $22.5M.  I would propose that the player be classified based on where he played the most games in the most recent season.  In this case, it would be the OF.  The rules (see below) don't seem to address this type of situation.

Contract extensions are based on looking up the player's highest ranking by position in both the current season and the last season.  If an extension is done during the season and before the trade deadline, then the previous TWO seasons and the current season must be looked at.  In the off-season, the last two seasons will be used.

[Colby]

Players with multiple positions require multiple lookups... Plain and simple.

[rcankosy]

Maybe I am missing something very obvious.  I will re-phrase the question in a more direct manner.  Assuming that Bautista ends the year as the # 1 ranked player at both CI and OF and the extension values don't change, would he make $27.5m or 22.5m per year in his next contract?

[Needle Juice]

I believe we default the higher of the two, the word highest is used below. 

Extensions
You may extend a player's contract in any year, but if it is during the contract, then the new contract must be no less and no shorter than the current remaining contract.  Any player signed to a new contract in the off-season after the original contract ends must be signed to at least 50% of what they made before, rounded to the nearest $0.5m.  Teams have rights to players (whose contracts just ended) in the off-season  until either the player is prematurely released or off-season FA starts.

Contract extensions are based on looking up the player's highest ranking by position in both the current season and the last season.  If an extension is done during the season and before the trade deadline, then the previous TWO seasons and the current season must be looked at.  In the off-season, the last two seasons will be used.  Therefore...

OFFSEASON (2010-2011): 2009 and 2010 rankings are used
REGULAR SEASON, PRE-JUNE 1ST (2011): 2009, 2010, and 2011 rankings are used
REGULAR SEASON, AFTER JUNE 1ST (2011): 2010 and 2011 rankings are used
OFFSEASON (2011-2012); 2010 and 2011 rankings are used

The salary information will be compiled in a spreadsheet calculator that is updated at the beginning of each regular season.  Contract extensions follow the contract maximum lengths as shown above as well as their own minimum standards.

[Colby]

Correct... the higher of the two.  After all, being eligible at multiple positions is quite a benefit.  As a GM, if it appears a player will lose that extra position the next year, and that is the position that deems the higher salary then it may not be worth it to sign said player.

[rcankosy]

Correct... the higher of the two.  After all, being eligible at multiple positions is quite a benefit.  As a GM, if it appears a player will lose that extra position the next year, and that is the position that deems the higher salary then it may not be worth it to sign said player.

The rules specifically state the "player's highest ranking by position...".  I just pointed out a case where the rankings are the SAME for the player.  Bautista will most likely be an OF going foward, because the Blue Jays have Lawrie.  For the final time.  Does that mean he must be re-signed for $27.5m per year or $22.5m?  The rules don't say anything about using the highest salary amount.  They only refer to rankings, and in Bautista's case it is the SAME. 

[Needle Juice]

The rules specifically state the "player's highest ranking by position...".  I just pointed out a case where the rankings are the SAME for the player.  Bautista will most likely be an OF going foward, because the Blue Jays have Lawrie.  For the final time.  Does that mean he must be re-signed for $27.5m per year or $22.5m?  The rules don't say anything about using the highest salary amount.  They only refer to rankings, and in Bautista's case it is the SAME.

There are two ways to read it.  A players highest ranking, defaults to the highest salary. 

[Colby]

The intention of the rule is to say highest salary per positional rankings.  I will update that and the ambigious June 1st split.  Thanks for pointing that out.

[MOLI643]

The intention of the rule is to say highest salary per positional rankings.  I will update that and the ambigious June 1st split.  Thanks for pointing that out.

"Intentions"  Nice