Relief Pitcher minimums
Based on 2 years of play, it's apparent that relief pitchers are used a
little differently than they were about 5 years ago (probably more change with
the set-up men rather than the closers). Most teams this season did not
meet the minimum values for relief pitchers. After some tweaking and
checking the stats for 2001, here's a new breakdown. We'll see how well
this works and perhaps fine tune again after 2002.
| Relief
Pitchers Used |
Current Minimum
IP |
New Minimum
IP |
Reduction |
| R1 |
3.3 |
2.7 |
-0.6 |
| R1-R2 |
7.0 |
5.7 |
-1.3 |
| R1-R3 |
11.3 |
10.0 |
-1.3 |
| R1-R4 |
14.3 |
13.0 |
-1.3 |
| All 5 |
17.0 |
16.0 |
-1.0 |
See the Scoring Formula for more details on how
this is used.
Maximum Cash Balances
Intentionally or unintentionally, it is possible for owners to carry over
large sums of cash into the next season. Over the course of a few years,
that could lead to a huge imbalance and allow an owner in a given year to
assemble a "super team". One week before the beginning of a new
season, all teams that have cash balances over $10 million will have those
balances reduced to $10 million. In 2003, after the expansion teams have
another year of play, that figure might be dropped even further.
Owners can still accumulate cash after that time - with the $2 million
Opening Day cash distribution, salary rebates, and financial gains through wins
and position in their division.
The spirit of this rule is to attempt to maintain competitive balance.
Multi-year Contracts
There is no change in the process of signing players to multi-year contracts,
but currently signing a rookie to a 5-year contract is just too good of a deal
that carries little relative risk. Thus, the minimum signing values will
change to the following:
| Player
signed for: |
Cost: |
Old Minimum
Salary |
New Minimum
Salary |
Contract
Total (minimum) |
| 2003 |
2002 Salary |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
| 2004 |
2003 + 25% |
$500,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$1,250,000 |
| 2005 |
2004 + 25% |
$1,000,000 |
$1,750,000 |
$3,000,000 |
| 2006 |
2005 + 25% |
$1,500,000 |
$3,000,000 |
$6,000,000 |
| 2007 |
2006 + 25% |
$2,500,000 |
$4,000,000 |
$10,000,000 |
Note that there is no change for a 1-year contract extension.
Entry Fees
With the cost for the web site, the stat service, and the post-season
trophies, I need to increase the entry fee slightly to attempt to break
even. I might also be able to make a little money for my own time, but
probably something like a penny an hour. If I am ever able to expand this
into a multiple-league operation, I may be able to lower the fees for this
original league and keep it at a lower level.
There is a $10 increase for the 2002 season, making the entry fee $35.
However, I will continue the idea of early payment discount. If you pay
before February 1, you get a $10 discount, making the total only
$25. Further details to come on getting me the money.
Late Payment of Entry Fees
Beyond the early-payment discount, I need to encourage everyone to pay
quickly so that I'm not attempting to collect money throughout the summer.
Thus, if you do not pay by certain times, there will be roster penalties:
| If entry fee is not received by: |
You may not... |
| April 1, 2002 |
Make roster changes (signings, drops, trades, contract
extensions). |
| May 1, 2002 |
Make roster changes or lineup changes (batting order,
pitching rotation, etc.) |
Once payment is received, full rights are restored.
|
|
