EC DISCUSSION: Hometown Discount and Post-Trade D

[Copperfields]

This came out of the discussions about the attempted HTD boondogle (buy free agents in September (so they have a B contract), waive them, the reclaim them in an attempt to get their HTD). We all agreed that that shouldn't be allowed, but the issue was raised if HTD should be granted for any B-contract players claimed on waivers following the trading deadline. The reasoning is that the HTD rule is there to prevent dumping. After the trading deadline, there's no longer the danger of dumping, so HTD rights shouldn't be granted if you claim a B-contract guy on waivers.

LINK TO ORIGINAL DISCUSSION
cfcl.proboards19.com/index.cgi?board=ec&action=display&thread=1127307466

[Copperfields]

I think that Nick's interpretation of the Home Town Discount rule at the end of the original thread is correct -- namely that all B contract players carry Home Town Discount rights, regarless of the team that owns them or how they are acquired (with the exception of guys acquired in Sept. or Oct.). Those HTD rights travel with the contract (and player) from team to team, it's just that some teams end up not having a HTD budget to use on those players. So technically, I currently own the HTD rights for Adam Dunn, but since I don't have a HTD budget I can't exercise those rights.

Since we already have an exception for players acquired as free agents in Sept/Oct, we could easily extend that exception to cover ALL B contract players claimed during the entire post-trade deadline period. As Teddy pointed out, there's no danger of B contract players being dumped after the deadline, so why still give HTD rights.

However, while discoraging dumping is the main goal of the HTD rules, it's not the only one. The whole concept of the budget is to encourage non-contending teams to try to finish as high as possible (and maximize their budget) and to stay involved in running their team.

If a 10th place team is going to be on the ball enough to snag a waived B contract player in Sept. so he has a wider pool of players to use his budget on, I say more power to him. It helps ensure competition for resources late in the year while half the league may be coasting to the finish.

If someone can present a strong reason against giving HTD rights for B contracts acquired after the trade deadline, I can very, very easily be convinced. But right now, I think we're fine as-is (in addition to remaining consistent with Nick's explanation of the HTD rule).

David

[Nick's Picts (archived)]

I like being right!

I'm still of the opinion that HTD rights should go along with B contract players picked up via waivers, no matter when this occurs during the season. I am also of the opinion that the B contract awarded to players picked up after September call-ups are of a special sort that preclude assignation of HTD rights. It's more that B contract was used as shorthand for saying must be released at the end of the season for these sorts of players than to indicate they were of the same class as a player who is playing out the final year of a contract.

** to clarify: we may as well award a Q or S or whatever letter we decide on to players who are called from the FA pool during September call-ups. They are different than B contracts in all respects other than the player must be released at the conclusion of the season. That we do call these contracts B contracts is merely a convenience. If it helps clarify this point to the league, then I propose we include a new contract type in the Constitution.

[MGrage]

So would that mean that I have topper rights to Ryan Zimmerman? I'm sorry but I've been in LA the last week and all this smog and bleach has conspired to kill off many of the few brain cells I have left .... Mahalo

Matt

[Copperfields]

mgrage said:

So would that mean that I have topper rights to Ryan Zimmerman?

No, Zimmerman was acquired as a free agent on the first Friday in Sept. As such, his B contract never had the HTD rights attached. As Nick put it:

"The B contract awarded to players picked up after September call-ups are of a special sort that preclude assignation of HTD rights."

David

[Demreb]

And the winner is . . . . . . .. . Nick and David! I agree with all that was said so I won't regurgitate except to specify my agreement that B contracts in September/October are not the same classification of B contract players from Draft Day.

[Nick's Picts (archived)]

I originally added this as an edit, but realize I should make this a new post since it does contain new commentary...

** to clarify: we may as well award a Q or S or whatever letter we decide on to players who are called from the FA pool during September call-ups. They are different than B contracts in all respects other than the player must be released at the conclusion of the season. That we do call these contracts B contracts is merely a convenience. If it helps clarify this point to the league, then I propose we include a new contract type in the Constitution.

[Copperfields]

Loath though I may be to add yet another contract designator, I think this may be a good idea, Nick. You're right that FA signings in after August 31 were given the contract status of B simply to designate them as automatic releases at the end of the season. Other than that, the contracts signed by those players have nothing else whatever in common with "regular" B contracts.

A September (or S) contract would basically be a one-month, non-renewable deal (or slightly more than that if the season bleeds into October). Does anyone object?

[Demreb]

It looks like Nick is right twice in the same thread. Well done, Nick! I think the S contract is a brilliant way of identifying how the player was acquired.

And I would like to interject here (and I don't want to have this come off as condescending) but Nick has been a terrific addition to the EC. His ability to look at things fresh and objective (if not in multiple languages) has been inspiring. The CFCL would do well to keep Nick around on the EC for a few more turns (at least).

[Nick's Picts (archived)]

I am Nick Hansen, and I stand by the previous message.

_{This message was paid for by the committee to re-elect Nick Hansen}



Thanks, Rich. I dunno if I deserve all that. I'm just trying to live up to the stellar precedent set by the two anchors of the EC.

[Demreb]

You've learned well from the anchors, Nick. And by anchors I assume you are referring to David (the anchor or Rock Of Gibraltor of the CFCL) and Chris Berman, long-time anchor of ESPN.

[Copperfields]

We interrupt this meeting of the CFCL Executive Commitee Mutual Admiration Sub-Committee to say:

EC Recommendation: We suggest the creation of a new contract designation, S, which will be given to all players acquired as free agents after August 31. If this measure is adopted, we also suggest that we continue to grant Hometown Discount Rights to all B contract players, regardless of when the team that owns them at the end of the season acquired them.

We now return you to your regular programming...
now, tell me again how wonderful I am...