2014 Offseason SIM 1 Complete - Next SIM Tues 1/5

[Hank]

I agree Matt. I think there was a lot of stuff out of whack in the past and these changes will certainly make it tougher to stockpile a plethora of weapons.

But I must say, not being able to extend until the 3rd arbitration hearing is certainly going to have me turn gray early, haha.

There are some guys who are going to kill me in a couple of years with their arbitration demands.

[mike]

I must be missing the part where he threatened to run over your dog with his police car for you daring to mention budgetary concerns?

Based on your response, surely he must have said something along those lines in his reply to you.

No sir. New year new me. I'm going to be on my best behavior and not cause any of problems

[Z]

But I must say, not being able to extend until the 3rd arbitration hearing is certainly going to have me turn gray early, haha..

It's necessary but I agree it is unfortunate.

[umd]

Everything should level out down the line. If it doesn't we will fix it.

[BDub]

Sure, players contracts will go down but will GMs be patient enough to wait?

[Z]

If we want a league where Pawtucket can't easily sign 7 of the league's top market players to long-term contracts, I don't see an answer other than making guys ask for more money.

Avoiding that scenario is my biggest concern.

If it means some guys get more than some GMs think they're worth, I don't have a problem with it. In real sports leagues, bad teams often must overpay to sign good players.

[umd]

If we want a league where Pawtucket can't easily sign 7 of the league's top market players to long-term contracts, I don't see an answer other than making guys ask for more money.

Avoiding that scenario is my biggest concern.

If it means some guys get more than some GMs think they're worth, I don't have a problem with it. In real sports leagues, bad teams often must overpay to sign good players.

I also think this rewards profitable teams. That $10m cash reserve is a huge deal now. Also, I think managing your scouting and PD budgets is more important now and how you handle personnel contracts

[Z]

I also think this rewards profitable teams. That $10m cash reserve is a huge deal now. Also, I think managing your scouting and PD budgets is more important now and how you handle personnel contracts

It does. I'd even be interested, in a season or two, exploring what would happen if we raised the cash maximum to $15 million or something, and how it might impact rebuilding teams who want to save a little extra to later spend on a free agent.

[Ryan]

Sure, players contracts will go down but will GMs be patient enough to wait?

Let's hope not.

[BDub]

I know this league had one at one time but what about bringing back a salary cap?

[umd]

It does. I'd even be interested, in a season or two, exploring what would happen if we raised the cash maximum to $15 million or something, and how it might impact rebuilding teams who want to save a little extra to later spend on a free agent.

Drafting becomes more important as minimum salary contributors and beginning arbitration starters/stars will be your most cost effective players. Missing on draft picks means you're either going to have to trade assets for more expensive veterans or spend more $ in FA to plug those holes.

My only real concern is if guys won't take any offer below value and decide to sit whole seasons because they are stubborn. Other than that, I think we're going into a more fiscally responsible franchise model that's not based on exploiting player demands and value in the game. That's a plus.

[umd]

I know this league had one at one time but what about bringing back a salary cap?

I actually think there's a natural cap now and we will see this in not only how payrolls are built and managed, but in investing in player development, scouting and personnel. The way GMs build teams could become more diversified - especially when it comes to player salaries by position.

[Ryan]

Drafting becomes more important as minimum salary contributors and beginning arbitration starters/stars will be your most cost effective players. Missing on draft picks means you're either going to have to trade assets for more expensive veterans or spend more $ in FA to plug those holes.

My only real concern is if guys won't take any offer below value and decide to sit whole seasons because they are stubborn. Other than that, I think we're going into a more fiscally responsible franchise model that's not based on exploiting player demands and value in the game. That's a plus.

I keep thinking there has to be a way to filter those players that sit out due to demands back into the league, but it would have to be manually done. And at that point, are we just going to wait around until whatever that process is, and not make offers during Free Agency?

I suppose you could take whoever's left over, and do a silent auction for them, on a one year deal. But again, I don't want everyone waiting around. Plus, we'd either have to have someone that didn't want any of the players take the bids, or a third party.

I suppose we should just wait and see what happens.

[Hank]

I keep thinking there has to be a way to filter those players that sit out due to demands back into the league, but it would have to be manually done. And at that point, are we just going to wait around until whatever that process is, and not make offers during Free Agency?

I suppose you could take whoever's left over, and do a silent auction for them, on a one year deal. But again, I don't want everyone waiting around. Plus, we'd either have to have someone that didn't want any of the players take the bids, or a third party.

I suppose we should just wait and see what happens.

Does anyone have any experience with how these players may react?
Is it possible that a player would be willing to sit out a whole season to get what they want?
And how frequent could that happen?

[BDub]

Does anyone have any experience with how these players may react?
Is it possible that a player would be willing to sit out a whole season to get what they want?
And how frequent could that happen?

Ive never experienced a player sitting out. Usually the salary demends will go down as Spring Training approaches. It depends on the player though on how much less they might ask for.