Official RC Vote on Clearing Extension Loopholes

[Colby]

These are all rule adjustments concerning the timing of extensions.  Each rule change line will have the voting option of having the rule change effective immediately (2011-12 offseason) or for the 2012-13 offseason.

1) Management of salary caps for not just current year but future 5-6 years.  This is something we are doing in New Era and is much more realistic for a franchises' books.  It also prevents GMs from financially ruining future years with cash exchanges.
2) Should prospect extensions be the only type of extensions allowable for expired contracts in the offseason?  If so, should we adopt a short window to do this such as two weeks?  I say we allow expiring prospect contracts to be signed to regular extensions after the season ends, but not to prospect extensions per our current rules.
3) I am suggesting a rule change that says contract extensions can be done one of two ways.  The first is a traditional extension which is only allowable in the last year of the current contract.  The extension is added on in future years.  For example, a 2011 contract could get a three year extension starting in 2012 and ending in 2014.   The second is our current type of extensions which is essentially a new contract overwriting the old one.  We have minimum and maximum years protecting this new contract status.
4) Should regular extensions on expiring contracts not be allowed AFTER the season?  For example, an extension in November 2011 for what was a 2011 contract. It really isn't feasible to have this for such a realistic league.  This puts more honus on the trade deadline and free agency.

The big issue with rules #2 and #4 are when they would be made effective.  I don't see an issue with rules #1 and #3 being effective immediately although rule #1 would make several rosters illegal in 2012, so perhaps it is better to wait on that one until the offseason as well.  In general, rule changes should be made one year in advance.

Please votes YES or NO to all four of these with a timeline.  We are not going backwards and changing contracts based on new rules.  What is done is done.  Let's keep this simple, fair, and realistic.

[rcankosy]

These are all rule adjustments concerning the timing of extensions.  Each rule change line will have the voting option of having the rule change effective immediately (2011-12 offseason) or for the 2012-13 offseason.

1) Management of salary caps for not just current year but future 5-6 years.  This is something we are doing in New Era and is much more realistic for a franchises' books.  It also prevents GMs from financially ruining future years with cash exchanges.

I am not sure what this means.

2) Should prospect extensions be the only type of extensions allowable for expired contracts in the offseason?  If so, should we adopt a short window to do this such as two weeks?

Yes.  Deadline is January 1st of the following year.  Dollars take effect the following year.

3) I am suggesting a rule change that says contract extensions can be done one of two ways.  The first is a traditional extension which is only allowable in the last year of the current contract.  The extension is added on in future years.  For example, a 2011 contract could get a three year extension starting in 2012 and ending in 2014.   The second is our current type of extensions which is essentially a new contract overwriting the old one.  We have minimum and maximum years protecting this new contract status.

Allow extensions any time prior to the expiration of the contract as long as they are governed by the minimum and maximum years rules.  Dollars and length (min/max) take effect the following year.

4) Should regular extensions on expiring contracts not be allowed anymore?  It really isn't feasible to have this for such a realistic league.  This puts more honus on the trade deadline and free agency.

Yes.  Keep extensions.  They are realistic and allow some semblance of team stability in the league.

The big issue with rules #2 and #4 are when they would be made effective.  I don't see an issue with rules #1 and #3 being effective immediately although rule #1 would make several rosters illegal in 2012, so perhaps it is better to wait on that one until the offseason as well.  In general, rule changes should be made one year in advance.

Please votes YES or NO to all four of these with a timeline.  We are not going backwards and changing contracts based on new rules.  What is done is done.  Let's keep this simple, fair, and realistic.

[Colby]

Roy,

Re: 1) Salary caps and total salary would be shown for not just this year but also future years.  This requires extra cash management, but would currently make some rosters illegal in the future such as Cincy and Pittsburgh.

Re: 4) I wasn't saying to remove extensions.  The issue is about extensions on expiring contracts after the season has ended.

[Colby]

1) Yes.
2) Yes, Current extension deadline works for me as well.
3) Yes, have new contracts as well as real contract extensions that take effect after original contract expires.  Such extensions (not the overwriting new contracts) are only allowed to take place in the last year.
4) Do not allow extensions on non-prospect extensions after the season ended. Start this rule two weeks after the end of the 2011 season.  This is fair.

[rcankosy]

In that case, I would vote YES to #1.  As long as the 2 week rule for # 4 involves deciding whether or not to RE-SIGN the player or make him a FA, I would say YES.   I would NOT be in favor of any scenario that involved trading the player's rights after the season ended like when Prince Fielder was traded for Hosmer.

[Canada8999]

I'm on the road this weekend and won't have time to read up one everything and vote until Sunday or Monday.  I don't want to vote without reading things carefully.

[Colby]

Agreed Roy.  The player would have to be signed in order to be traded.  Also, this two week window would only apply for this offseason.  Future years, normal contracts would expire at the end of the regular season.

[Needle Juice]

I just want to be clear on Item #1 if it passes.  If I have a player that another team has helped with the contract for the next two, but not beyond, and that means that my teams exceeds the Cap in 2013 and 2014, would my roster in 2011 be illegal?

[Colby]

I just want to be clear on Item #1 if it passes.  If I have a player that another team has helped with the contract for the next two, but not beyond, and that means that my teams exceeds the Cap in 2013 and 2014, would my roster in 2011 be illegal?

Correct.  Adjustments would need to be made.  It is only right to enforce that rule starting in the offseason.  Once all teams are under all caps then there is no reason a roster should become illegal.

[Needle Juice]

Correct.  Adjustments would need to be made.  It is only right to enforce that rule starting in the offseason.  Once all teams are under all caps then there is no reason a roster should become illegal.

This limits small market teams ability to leverage and compete.