This has been in the works for a week or so now, but I have fully tested it and it is ready for implementation. It was not the first option, but Nick and I feel at this point it is the best option available to keep a viable and active league moving forward.
1. There will be a CONTRACTION of teams from 30 to 28.
-The Astros and the Angels are getting the axe.
-David (current Angels GM) will be moving to the Boston Red Sox effective immediately (well, once Nick gets him switched over)
-The Indians will remain open for a new owner, so please remain diligent finding one! I originally planned on going down to 26 teams, but there were major issues with that I did not have the time to consider.
2, The divisions will be as follows:
AL East
Same
AL Cen
Same
AL West
OAK
SEA
TEX
________? First volunteer to move from the NL West. If no volunteer, Nick will randomly select an NL West team to move. Keep in mind, you gain a DH, but will play in a more hitter friendly league. The NL West has 5 teams, and to balance, we need one to move here. Keep in mind West to West also makes most sense geographically.
NL East
Same
NL Central
STL
CHN
PIT
MIL
CIN
(Astros removed)
NL West
Same, minus whichever team volunteers or is reassigned to AL West.
3. The schedule will remain 162 games, with interleague play. The amount of interleague may change a bit, but it is tested and is working after MUCH work. The playoff setup will remain the same, as well as drafts, allstar games, spring, etc.
4. There will be a contraction draft involving the rostered players from the Angels and Astros.
Contraction Draft:
1. Draft order will be set in the form of a lottery.
a. Teams will be ranked 1-28 based on reg season win % over last two seasons, lowest win% gets 28 tickets, highest gets 1.
b. Teams will be ranked 1-28 based on total payroll over last two seasons, lowest payroll gets 28 tickets, highest gets 1.
c. The max amount of lottery tickets is 56**, minimum is 2 for any given team.
d. Tickets will be inserted into hat by me, drawn at random by Heath (St Louis) which will determine the order 1 to 28.
Other IMPORTANT draft issues!
1. Any cash on hand for the two remaining teams will disappear.
2. As a contraction draft 'bonus' all teams will receive 5 million, whether picking first or last, to help pay for players or to build up savings if minor league players are selected.
3. The draft will take place the day AFTER players file for free agency. I will post a SPECIFIC list of players available, as well as their salary for the following year.
Before the draft takes place, any player on these teams with a team or mutual option will be declined and will be a free agent, hence not available for the contraction draft. The players available for arbitration will be assigned new contracts by the computer and will be draftable. All minor league players will be draftable.
4. I will also post a SPECIFIC list of what amount each team EXACTLY have to spend on the draft (you will not be able to spend more than 10 million over your available owner budget regardless of cash on hand, so if your owner offers you 120 million budget and you're at 125 before the draft, you will have 5 million 'capped' spending and will be unable to select players making more than that) There are only a handful of very expensive players on these rosters, so there should not be a major issue regarding money. The most expensive is Dan Reed at 18 some mil on Houston, then 11 some mil for the next player on the Angels. If you are a cash negative team, I would HIGHLY advise taking a minor league player, hoping I don't have to explain why. Teams CAN elect not to select a player. The draft will continue until either all players have been drafted from eligible list or all teams have passed on further picks. Any remaining players will be released to the free agent pool.
5. Any MLB players drafted MUST go on your 40 man roster. Therefore, after the draft, you will have to make room before they will be reassigned to your roster. Any minor league players will be transferred to the minor leagues.
A lot more info and clarifications to come I'm sure, but you get the general idea. Please let me know comments, concerns, etc.
EDIT 1: David will also get a reset on Boston's finances (given they are nearly 10 mil in the red) like any new owner would. Therefore, he will keep the payroll and budget assigned, but will have $15 million in the green for startup cash (plus the 5 that all franchises will receive before the contraction draft)
EDIT 2: ** Changes from 42 to 56 as I apparently cannot add 28+28.
1. There will be a CONTRACTION of teams from 30 to 28.
-The Astros and the Angels are getting the axe.
-David (current Angels GM) will be moving to the Boston Red Sox effective immediately (well, once Nick gets him switched over)
-The Indians will remain open for a new owner, so please remain diligent finding one! I originally planned on going down to 26 teams, but there were major issues with that I did not have the time to consider.
2, The divisions will be as follows:
AL East
Same
AL Cen
Same
AL West
OAK
SEA
TEX
________? First volunteer to move from the NL West. If no volunteer, Nick will randomly select an NL West team to move. Keep in mind, you gain a DH, but will play in a more hitter friendly league. The NL West has 5 teams, and to balance, we need one to move here. Keep in mind West to West also makes most sense geographically.
NL East
Same
NL Central
STL
CHN
PIT
MIL
CIN
(Astros removed)
NL West
Same, minus whichever team volunteers or is reassigned to AL West.
3. The schedule will remain 162 games, with interleague play. The amount of interleague may change a bit, but it is tested and is working after MUCH work. The playoff setup will remain the same, as well as drafts, allstar games, spring, etc.
4. There will be a contraction draft involving the rostered players from the Angels and Astros.
Contraction Draft:
1. Draft order will be set in the form of a lottery.
a. Teams will be ranked 1-28 based on reg season win % over last two seasons, lowest win% gets 28 tickets, highest gets 1.
b. Teams will be ranked 1-28 based on total payroll over last two seasons, lowest payroll gets 28 tickets, highest gets 1.
c. The max amount of lottery tickets is 56**, minimum is 2 for any given team.
d. Tickets will be inserted into hat by me, drawn at random by Heath (St Louis) which will determine the order 1 to 28.
Other IMPORTANT draft issues!
1. Any cash on hand for the two remaining teams will disappear.
2. As a contraction draft 'bonus' all teams will receive 5 million, whether picking first or last, to help pay for players or to build up savings if minor league players are selected.
3. The draft will take place the day AFTER players file for free agency. I will post a SPECIFIC list of players available, as well as their salary for the following year.
Before the draft takes place, any player on these teams with a team or mutual option will be declined and will be a free agent, hence not available for the contraction draft. The players available for arbitration will be assigned new contracts by the computer and will be draftable. All minor league players will be draftable.
4. I will also post a SPECIFIC list of what amount each team EXACTLY have to spend on the draft (you will not be able to spend more than 10 million over your available owner budget regardless of cash on hand, so if your owner offers you 120 million budget and you're at 125 before the draft, you will have 5 million 'capped' spending and will be unable to select players making more than that) There are only a handful of very expensive players on these rosters, so there should not be a major issue regarding money. The most expensive is Dan Reed at 18 some mil on Houston, then 11 some mil for the next player on the Angels. If you are a cash negative team, I would HIGHLY advise taking a minor league player, hoping I don't have to explain why. Teams CAN elect not to select a player. The draft will continue until either all players have been drafted from eligible list or all teams have passed on further picks. Any remaining players will be released to the free agent pool.
5. Any MLB players drafted MUST go on your 40 man roster. Therefore, after the draft, you will have to make room before they will be reassigned to your roster. Any minor league players will be transferred to the minor leagues.
A lot more info and clarifications to come I'm sure, but you get the general idea. Please let me know comments, concerns, etc.
EDIT 1: David will also get a reset on Boston's finances (given they are nearly 10 mil in the red) like any new owner would. Therefore, he will keep the payroll and budget assigned, but will have $15 million in the green for startup cash (plus the 5 that all franchises will receive before the contraction draft)
EDIT 2: ** Changes from 42 to 56 as I apparently cannot add 28+28.
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