***Official 2011-12 MLB HOTSTOVE OFF-SEASON THREAD***

Draft ONLY!

 

These are the new rules for INTERNATIONAL...

• The international signing limits won't affect the posting system for players from Japan, according to Knobler (on Twitter).
• Cubans under 23 years old with less than three years of professional experience will be considered amateurs and count against international spending limits, according to Passan (on Twitter). 26-year-old Yoenis Cespedes won't be subject to these limits.
• Every team will have $2.9MM to spend on international bonuses this offseason, according to Passan. Eventually the limits will be in the $1.8-5MM range, according to Passan. Starting in 2013-14, teams will be able to trade money from their spending allowance for international players, according to Passan (all Twitter links). However, teams can only boost their original spending limit by 50% through trades.

Again, not seeing a problem since Japan's not impacted (the most mature PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE outside the USA), Cubans over 23 not impacted the way I read it, and its only a a cap on the BONUSES for INTERNATIONAL players - not contracts, plus teams can trade this INTL BONUS$ and acquire more if they need it.

Again, what is the issue?

 

I strongly disagree with that statement! Slotted draft helps eveyone (just like NFL with QB and 1st pick signing contracts now under control and more reasonable). It doent help the richer teams....its helps the LEAGUE.

heck, even being able to offer a 1 year contract based on average of 125 top contracts is nice (dont know if its like a franchise tag) but by offering it, you get a draft pick. Again, its all for the longevity of the league.

Also, you need to drink a V-8 and stay awake with the details

 

maybe they have problems with the whole true age thing???

did texas spend these INTL bonuses on NON-Japanese leaguers?

 

Nope, he just said HELL YEAH, 5 more years of labor peace! now, do that crazy "we love the CBA labor peace" dance Mr. Odrick!

 

I respect Jonah, and lots of other folks are currently coming out against it at first blush too (frankly, I think thats the easier side to take - emotion vs research of actual facts which will take time - so coming out against it is easier to fill a column up, etc.)....we will all see what it means for the game in the long run....I think some minds will change and they will admit (I hope) that they jumped to conclusion without giving it a chance, etc. I just dont think it will end up as bad as being made out...

Now, sure, I too could swap sides in the future if harm is found, I will tell you I was wrong if the facts bear it out, but right now, I dont see these changes as significantly damaging to how teams go about putting a winning product on the field.

 

small news:

The Marlins have traded catcher John Baker to the Padres for left-hander Wade LeBlanc, according to a press release from the Padres.

 

Love the HOTSTOVE and RUMOR MILL....

WEDNESDAY, 10:55am: Gio Gonzalez trade talks haven't really started, reports ESPN's Buster Olney, who notes that the A's did not ask for Logan Morrison in brief check-in talks with the Marlins.

 

FA Arbitration Deadline @ Midnight EST

American League

Updated team decisions:

• The Royals offered Bruce Chen (B) arbitration, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
• The White Sox announced they've offered arbitration to Mark Buehrle (B) and not Juan Pierre (B).
• The Athletics announced David DeJesus (B) and Josh Willingham (A, will not cost signing team a draft pick) were offered arbitration.
• The Rangers announced C.J. Wilson (A) will be offered arbitration. Modified Type B free agent Darren Oliver does not require an offer.
• The Orioles announced they will not offer arbitration to Vladimir Guerrero (B).
• Twins GM Terry Ryan said today on a conference call that he will offer arbitration to Michael Cuddyer (A, will not cost signing team a draft pick) and Jason Kubel (B), and noted that no arbitration offer is necessary for modified Type B free agent Matt Capps.

Teams with decisions still due:

• Red Sox: Jonathan Papelbon (A, already signed with Phillies), David Ortiz (A), Jason Varitek (B), Dan Wheeler (B)
• Blue Jays: Shawn Camp (B), Frank Francisco (B), Kelly Johnson (A, will not cost signing team a draft pick), Jose Molina (B), Jon Rauch (B)
• Athletics:
• Tigers: Wilson Betemit (B), Magglio Ordonez (B)
• Yankees: Freddy Garcia (B)

National League

Updated team decisions:

• The Cardinals offered Edwin Jackson (B) and Albert Pujols (A) arbitration, but declined to make offers to Rafael Furcal (B) and Arthur Rhodes (B), according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (on Twitter). That leaves Octavio Dotel (modified B, no arbitration offer necessary).
• The Mets offered Jose Reyes (A) arbitration, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff (on Twitter).
• The Phillies have announced that they are offering arbitration to Raul Ibanez (B), Ryan Madson (A, will not cost signing team a draft pick), and Jimmy Rollins (A), according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com (via Twitter).
• The Padres will offer arbitration to Heath Bell (A, will not cost signing team a draft pick) and Aaron Harang (B), tweets Corey Brock of MLB.com.
• The Brewers offered Prince Fielder (A) and Francisco Rodriguez (A, will not cost signing team a draft pick) arbitration. They declined to offer Yuniesky Betancourt (B) arbitration. Takashi Saito (A), contractually cannot be offered arbitration.
• The Braves did not offer arbitration to Alex Gonzalez (B), according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Teams with decisions still due:

• Cubs: Carlos Pena (B), Aramis Ramirez (B), Kerry Wood (B)
• Giants: Carlos Beltran (A, contractually cannot be offered arbitration), Pat Burrell (B), Cody Ross (B)
• Phillies:Brad Lidge (B), Roy Oswalt (A)
• Pirates: Ryan Doumit (B, already signed with Twins), Derrek Lee (B), Ryan Ludwick (B), Chris Snyder (B)
• Dodgers: Rod Barajas (B, already signed with Pirates), Hiroki Kuroda (B)

Teams with automatic decisions only:

• Reds: Francisco Cordero (modified B, no arbitration offer necessary), Ramon Hernandez (modified B, no arbitration offer necessary)
• Astros: Clint Barmes (B, already signed with Pirates)
• Rockies: Mark Ellis (B, already signed with Dodgers)

 

I dont have insider

While driving last night, I listened to Scott Boras XM MLB radio, go thru similar. I can appreciate the concern over DRAFT changes, and somewhat on the INTL signings rules, but even Boras says aside from those two, many other positives were reached.

Even he said his concern on the DRAFT and INTL is speculation about FUTURE drafts where the TALENT may exceed these limits thus a team wouldnt be able to MAXIMIZE that draft in comparison to other drafts where their SCOUTING DEPTS may deem one draft RICHER than another.

I get that concern, but again, he said it was some what speculation that such a problem could exist. He said similar concern over INTL issues, where the TALENT POOL a given year exceeds the $$ available. However, when asked when was the last time such a draft or INTL FA year of TALENT exceeded the resources (using these new levels as the imaginary cap) he pointed out that its case by case for a given franchise. He did point out TB, KC, PIT as big spenders this past draft, etc. He also said, TB, KC, PIT could still invest over the limits, but they would pay the fine (lose the next drafts picks) so to speak.

The other person on the show was Joel Sherman (from NYPOST?) and he asked Boras, "but dont you think the CREAM of the CROP will find loop holes and account for the next 5 years under these rules and find ways to still maximize what the CLUB is trying to accomplish". Boras agreed, and said yes, but these teams shouldnt have to.

Well, thats why I dont see a problem RIGHT NOW. Lets see how it plays out, I get that lower $$ for Draft and INTL FA exist...but thats not a bad thing. And speculating on TEAMs not being able to succeed via Draft or INTL FA as only 2 possible TOOLS to them is premature. But I can see why many are concerned....but I say again, if Owners wanted this...they got it (even with MLBPA agreeing) and these same owners could find out from their GM and scouting depts that things may be impacted...but they may also find out other avenues to improving their club.

In 5 years (or sooner I suppose) they could change it back, etc.

 

P.S. Boras did mention that in Latin America markets his concern is that the current system is broken where these young kids (13, 14, etc) are being taken out of schools and exploited on the DREAM of American League baseball over education, and said many of the CAMPS have fallen into disrepair where proper food, nutrition, excerise, medical and sometimes even clothing isnt provided, and the Owners of these camps simply want to churn and burn in the hopes of striking it rich on the backs of these young potential ballplayers.

Once injured or deemed to not have it, they are then kicked out and not even taken back to the towns they were taken from.

so, perhaps these financial limits will create a positive change and even create a GLOBAL database of kids with proper age records, and affiliations with agents, etc so they can stop being exploited in the name of American MLB!

 

For the main reason - its just a CAP - and soft at that...its not a MAX. They simply suffer consequences if they choose to exceed T&Cs. I have no problem with them trying to reign in some costs but also allowing MAVERICKS to be MAVERICKS.

Since its not a HARD CAP (which I think all sports should have for competitive balance) MLB is still allowing teams to give them anything they want. Its not RESTRICTED if you accept the consequences.

 

While this CBA still doesnt allow the trading of ALL draft picks.......I believe I read that the rights of a drafted player can be traded (perhaps if they dont sign with original team leading up to the next years draft, etc), and the 6 COMPENSATION/LOTTERY picks awarded to these small Revenue teams can be traded.

Perhaps that will make for additional HOTSTOVE fun!

 

Part of me guesses that a Salary CAP and FLOOR is coming - is inevitable, and this is MLB Ownership and MLBPA creating a stepping stone in someway. Baby steps?

 

Fine as insurance option....but we need insurance for this insurance option.