A couple of questions

[Green]

This should be obvious to me but it isn't. If Jermaine Dye retires, does his salary come off my books? How is it that Jermaine Dye doesn't have a contract in Baseball but has one on my team? (I worry about the answer to that one...)

[Canada8999]

I'm not sure if we have a rule that explicitly handles this, but IMO if the player retires you're still on the hook as our contracts are independent of MLB contracts (after the initial league startup).

[Canada8999]

How is it that Jermaine Dye doesn't have a contract in Baseball but has one on my team? (I worry about the answer to that one...)

He had an option for 2010, but we do not have the concept of option years in FGM.  The White Sox bought him out http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091106&content_id=7631464&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb, but in our league that's not an option.

[Green]

I'm not sure if we have a rule that explicitly handles this, but IMO if the player retires you're still on the hook as our contracts are independent of MLB contracts (after the initial league startup).

I am not sure how that is fair if I didn't give him the contract and he retires from baseball. Two points. In reality, if a player signs a four year contract and retires after two the team doesn't have to pay him the remaining two years why should I have to? I don't mind the option year ruling but that is if he is going to another team I still have control. Did the Angels franchise have to keep Adenhart on their payroll? This contract is not independent of MLB contracts, it was based on it and was based on initial league setup. If I bid on him I could half understand that but I still don't think I would have to pay a player if it is his choice to retire.

I would like a ruling from the Rules Committee. I will go with the result obviously.

[Canada8999]

And what if he signs with another team and plays all of 2010?  At what point should his contract be terminated?  If/when he announces his retirement?

[Green]

And what if he signs with another team and plays all of 2010?  At what point should his contract be terminated?  If/when he announces his retirement?

I think that is the counterpoint to my argument and is a good point. In the case of Jermaine Dye (or Brett Favre) he probably won't turn in any papers and if he pulls a Pedro to be ready for a contender. I guess the case for my situation is that having chosen to retire and then un-retire that would be the definition of a free agent. I realize the sentiment is to stick it to me because it limits me. It's just another bad contract that was inherited

[Dan Wood]

Seattle is on the hook for Kenji Johjima and he left MLB. Any contract before the league started (inherited), you are accountable for. Also any contract handed out - Billy Wagner I believe he was signed for 3 years (Ben was that you?), you are also responsible for. Adenhart died prior to the league starting. But at the time he was a prospect, and would have been able to be dropped without a cap hit. So I believe there was a ruling on this prior to my becoming the Commish, I will let Colby chime in on that. But as it looks right now, from previous history, you do not lose the contract once the player retires, or goes and plays elsewhere such as Japan.

[Lucas Lima #52]

My two cents here...

First.. If the player officialy sign retirement papers at the real MLB, then the owner here should have the right to release the player without paying any buyout, as the player left baseball... If the player then plays a Favre and comeback, then he would be a FA just like any other free agent...

But if it's like you mentioned, a player that goes abroad or doesn't officialy retire and is without team, I think you could create a special "buyout" rule, seting the percentage lower than the normal buyout... Something like 50% for the first year, 25% the next and then 10% for each other year...

However, this type of release would be valid only during the regular season, to make sure the guy is without team...

Again, if the player later on comeback, his old team would have no rights on him, he would be a normal FA...

[Canada8999]

Billy Wagner I believe he was signed for 3 years (Ben was that you?)

He was only signed for 2, but there is of course a risk that he doesn't pitch in 2011... same idea with Magglio who I just signed for 3 years, but is getting old and declining so he may not play all 3.

With respect to FA bidding, if we knew when a player retired we could freely drop them, old players would be signed to unrealistically long contracts just to bid up the total value.  Personally, I think if you bid up the value you're on the hook for that money, even if the player retires.

With that said, things happen in real life and players retire earlier than expected, and MLB teams are off the hook.  Maybe we can consider allowing a special, early contract termination on a case by case basis, where a specific set of criteria must be met, for example: player has officially filed for retirement, the FGM team did not have clear warning signs of this happening when the contract was signed, etc..  Maybe a player like Dye would be eligible for this if he signs the paperwork, but then someone like Wagner would not since I should realize he could retire any year now.  This type of rule could be problematic when drawing the line, but its just an idea.

[Canada8999]

First.. If the player officialy sign retirement papers at the real MLB, then the owner here should have the right to release the player without paying any buyout, as the player left baseball... If the player then plays a Favre and comeback, then he would be a FA just like any other free agent...

This is a good suggestion, my only concern would be if we get into a situation where teams are abusing the fact that they get a free pass if someone retires (see my comments above).  If we can ensure that the rule would not be abused, I'd have no problem with a rule that keeps teams from getting screwed by something out of their control (an unexpected early retirement).