Official RC Vote on Clearing Extension Loopholes

[Dan Wood]

Alright, so where are we with all of this.  I think we are generally leaning toward allowing extensions less than current salary only in the last year and extensions greater than current salary at any point?

 :iatp:

[rcankosy]

That's correct with a 2 year limit on salary reduction extensions.  Let's put this all to bed, so we can change the pitching scoring.

[Colby]

That's correct with a 2 year limit on salary reduction extensions.  Let's put this all to bed, so we can change the pitching scoring.

 :iatp:

That's four approvals for this one last line item... now we have to discuss timing.

[Dan Wood]

Like everything else we discussed, I think we should put it in play immediately. That way we can see how it works out, rather than sit on it until next year, and then have problems arise.

[h4cheng]

I am ok with instant implementation. I dont think any team would be affected negatively by these changes (unless it was planning on snagging up Bruce or another pending FA).

[rcankosy]

Make it 3 votes for instant implementation.  I also want to confirm that teams will get the market discount for prospect extensions after the season even if the contract has ended.  Consider it the unofficial Jay Bruce rule.

[Canada8999]

 :iatp:

[Colby]

I am going to summarize all of this one last time as we have agreement on rules, language, and timing (instantly)...

Rule #1 - Future Cap Management inspired by the 2010 Angels: Management of salary caps for not just current year but future six 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.  Future salary caps will have a buffer of 30% but no more than $20m.  For example, if the Pirates’ cap in 2013 is expected to be $62m then the 30% buffer allows the team to have a projected salary based on current contracts of $80.6m in 2013.

This rule has been APPROVED

Rule #2 – Signing window for expired prospect contracts: Prospect extensions on expired prospect contracts will be the only type of extensions allowable for expired contracts in the offseason.  Therefore, a P-2011 contract after the 2011 regular season is over is still eligible for the prospect extension.  This window for prospect extensions is open until one week prior to the beginning of offseason free agency.

This rule has been APPROVED


Rule #3 – True Extensions: Extensions are being changed, so that they are true contract extensions that take place after the current contract expires. The extension is added on in future years, and can be given to a player at any time during their current contract.  For example, a 2011 contract could get a three year extension starting in 2012 and ending in 2014.   We still have minimum and maximum years protecting this new contract status, so the total number of years may not increase more than six.

This rule has been APPROVED

Rule #4 - Prince Fielder Rule: Contract extensions on expired veteran contracts not be allowed after the regular season ends.  It really isn't feasible to have this for such a realistic league.  This puts more onus on the trade deadline and free agency.  Players signed to an extension cannot be traded for 60 days.

This rule has been APPROVED

Rule #5 – June 1st window: In addition to our 60-day NTC rule, any players signed to extensions and FA contracts in the offseason cannot be traded until June 1st the following year.

This rule has been APPROVED

Rule #6 – Extending players less than MV: A player may be given an extension that is less than their current salary.  However, such an extension has two restrictions. 
1) The eligibility period for granting a player an extension below their current salary is only in the last year of their contract.
2) On top of the minimum and maximum years for contracts, the longest this type of extension can be is two years.

This rule has been APPROVED

[Dan Wood]

#6...discount can be no more than 30%

[rcankosy]

# 1.  Did we really agree to 30%.  I said no more than 10-20%.

#2 should contain some language about the market discounts being available after the contract ends.  That was a major problem no too long ago, so it should be spelled out in clear terms.