What the Free Agent Class Might Have Looked Like

[rcankosy]

Somehow, I can't help but wonder how loaded this FA class would have been if we had the same rules in place as the major leagues.  Guys like Cliff Lee, Gollardo, Prince Fielder, and Jayson Werth would probably have been FAs.  Sorry guys, I still believe that we should not allow teams to trade or re-sign their expiring contracts after the season.

[MillerTime]

The ironic thing is that your Rangers would not have a chance at a single guy on this list.  I am of the other opinion, it is more fun this way.   

[lp815]

I'm really on the shelf about this, as I can see both sides.

On Roy's side, allowing expiring contracts to be traded is essentially a 'get out of jail free' card for a team, as it removes any real risk for teams with star players.

On the other side, does the league want to allow more freedom to teams, and not restrict teams because of the varied salary caps.  Obviously, I could not afford to keep a Pujols type player on my Nationals team, but an Angels or Cubs team could.  At least, keep them and compete.

I guess the bigger question could be long term: are all of our free agencies each year going to be this shallow?  They could be, as any smart owner would get value out of their star players, rather than get nothing from them.

[Dan Wood]

As usual, I agree with Roy. I feel he has a very valid point. I think our time period needs to be shorter for how long we can hold on to players until they become FAs. Also in the rules, we have 24 hours to get our salary cap straightened out until we incur a penalty. Therefore , by our rules, a team could do a sign and trade once a deal is in place. But I think having players for 2 months on our rosters is a little un-real life like. Since that is what we strive for in this league. I think it needs to be reduced to about two weeks, given that people are more involved with their Fantasy Football Teams, making deal harder to make. I believe in MLB it is 24 hours.

[Mr.TradeKing]

I have agreed with Roy from the very beginning on this point. I don't think it is fair for a team to compete with a star player for the full season on an expiring contract and then trade him to another team in the offseason to be resigned. That team should have to make the tough decision of holding onto him and RFA'ing him in the offseason OR trading him at the trade deadline. Just like in real life.

~MTK

[Colby]

1) A change is not happening this year.
2) I agree with Rob that is more fun this way.
3) Perhaps we can find some way to balance how this league works and MLB by giving a shorter period as Dan suggested?

[Mr.TradeKing]

I'm unsure by what ya'll mean as "more fun." Do you mean making trades including those guys? If so, I just want to point out that I have been apart of several bidding processes and they can be just as fun if not more fun than trades. It is also a way to get most of the league (the teams that have available funds) on and active during the offseason. By the way, that is the "TradeKing" talking. 

~MTK

[lp815]

1) A change is not happening this year.
2) I agree with Rob that is more fun this way.
3) Perhaps we can find some way to balance how this league works and MLB by giving a shorter period as Dan suggested?

I wouldn't necessarily recommend absolving trading expiring contracts, but would agree with your third (Dan's) proposal of shortening to time frame to move those contracts.  I can't remember what Dan said, was it two weeks after the season?

[Mr.TradeKing]

But I think having players for 2 months on our rosters is a little un-real life like. Since that is what we strive for in this league. I think it needs to be reduced to about two weeks, given that people are more involved with their Fantasy Football Teams, making deal harder to make. I believe in MLB it is 24 hours.

Found it 

~MTK

[Colby]

Found it 

~MTK

Shortening the period would be a good idea... it doesn't change the fundamentals of the leagues rules, but it has a dampening effect on the number of sign and trades and extensions.