Rule changes - Minor League Years Expiration

[ex-Pittsburgh Pirates]

Let's make it official. I will be posting the afore-mentioned rule changes in the next couple of days. Let's start with the "minor league expiration of years" change.

Please feel free to comment. Poke holes in the rules if you can. I'm interested in closing any perceived loopholes or inconsistencies as early as possible. At some point in time, I will consolidate all of the rules in one easy-to-reference place.

Rule Change
The franchise tag is being eliminated. Starting with players drafted in 2011, when a minor league player's years expire, you will have the option to sign him to a major league contract in order to retain his rights. Special rules govern these players until they achieve major league status (50/150) as follows:

• At no point in time can you own more than 2 of these types of players. This includes these types of players that were acquired via trade.
  
• A Major League roster spot must be used on these players (they will count against your 25 man active roster unless they are placed on the DL), even if they are not in the Yahoo system.
  
• These players cannot be placed on the waiver list until they achieve 50/150.
  
• These players cannot be cut until they achieve 50/150.
  
• These players can be placed on the DL subject to the same rules as regular major league players.
  
• These special conditions follow the player to his new team if he is traded.
  
  Prospects drafted in 2010 and before are subject to the rules in place when they were drafted, even if traded.
  

[Deleted]

i sign a player who's minor league contract expires to a major league contract for $600K for 5 years. if he's included on the yahoo game he automatically is included on your game roster? if he happens to stay in the minors(yahoo NA) for the first 3 years of that contract does that mean he wastes a spot on my final roster at the end of each year? i have to keep him then? 'cause he hasnt reached 50/150?
what if he gets injured in the minors? can you place a minor leaguer(yahoo NA) on the major DL? he's an "NA" according to yahoo. not sure if you can place an NA on the DL.

[Deleted]

For the DL, if he is injured in the majors then he will be put on the DL in the majors, but if he is injured in the minors then there is no way to put him on the DL in yahoo.

I thought if a player was in the majors even for his first start, he no longer is an "NA"?

[ex-Pittsburgh Pirates]

Responding to Chicago's questions:

Question: i sign a player who's minor league contract expires to a major league contract for $600K for 5 years. if he's included on the yahoo game he automatically is included on your game roster? if he happens to stay in the minors(yahoo NA) for the first 3 years of that contract does that mean he wastes a spot on my final roster at the end of each year? i have to keep him then? 'cause he hasnt reached 50/150?

Answer: If your player is listed in the Yahoo database, he automatically is included on your Yahoo game roster, even if he is listed as NA. Yahoo lists a large number of MLB ready prospects in their database so there is a good chance these guys will be in there. If he is NOT in the Yahoo database, you will be required to keep a spot open for him on your roster UNTIL HE REACHES 50/150 OR HIS MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT HAS EXPIRED. Once he reaches 50/150, you can treat him as any other player. If his major league contract expires without him reaching 50/150, then he becomes a minor league free agent subject to the MiLB draft.

In order to enforce the roster requirement for players not in the Yahoo database, I will add a 'dummy' player (Yahoo lists a number of retired players) to your roster to reserve that spot. You do not technically own this dummy player. It is merely used as a roster spot place holder until your prospect/player is added to the Yahoo database.

Remember, this rule is intentionally restrictive and risky to employ in order to avoid anyone using their major league team to stockpile minor league talent. But I felt it was necessary to allow teams to protect their PREMIER prospects. This rule enhances the value of prospects and draft picks and protects against unusual circumstances such as a closer who takes 2 years to reach 50 IP or a player suffering a major injury just short of the 50/150 requirements.

Question: what if he gets injured in the minors? can you place a minor leaguer(yahoo NA) on the major DL? he's an "NA" according to yahoo. not sure if you can place an NA on the DL.

Answer: Keep it simple. If Yahoo allows you to put your player on the DL, then you can put your player on the DL. That means that if your player is NOT in the Yahoo database, you cannot put him on the DL. Keep in mind that I don't believe Yahoo respects the minor league DL. So if he is not on the real life major league DL, it is not likely Yahoo will give him the DL designation.

[ex-Pittsburgh Pirates]

Responding to Boston:

For the DL, if he is injured in the majors then he will be put on the DL in the majors, but if he is injured in the minors then there is no way to put him on the DL in yahoo.

I thought if a player was in the majors even for his first start, he no longer is an "NA"?

I don't think Yahoo respects the minor league DL. (I am not in charge of Yahoo and therefore cannot guarantee that will not change.) Therefore, a player will likely have to be on the major league DL in order for Yahoo to grant him the DL eligible designation.

The NA designation is given to players who are not on the 25 man roster. The amount of playing time or experience has no bearing on whether or not a player is given the NA designation. Besides, the NA designation is meaningless with regard to this rule. If the player is listed in the Yahoo system, he will be placed on your roster. If he is not in the Yahoo system, you will be given a 'dummy' player to occupy the roster spot.

[Deleted]

stupid question - These players cannot be cut until they achieve 50/150.

what if they don't achieve 50/150, you could have a roster spot tied up for 5 years. you can not even release the player at the end of season - final rosters?

[ex-Pittsburgh Pirates]

Let me try to say it with fewer than 500 words...

Yes.

[Deleted]

As far as Yahoo! an minor league players, once a player is demoted his status become NA. I'm sure minor league players who get injured but are on your Major league roster will have to be DL on the spreadsheet and tracked this way.

I kinda agree with Pitt that you should have the option of releasing that player at the end of the season before final rosters are due and like MLB players, get stuck with 50% of salary for 1st year and 25% for remaining years.

[ex-Pittsburgh Pirates]

RE: Kansas City

So you DISAGREE with me. The rule as stated says that you cannot cut them under any circumstances until they reach 150/50. ANY circumstances.

Also, you can only place these guys on your DL if Yahoo allows it. There will be no special spreadsheet designation for them. They will consume an active roster spot unless you can actually put them on the DL at your Yahoo team webpage. Once on the DL, they will then consume only a DL spot until they are again activated. All the normal Yahoo rules apply.

[Deleted]

Hey Pitt, just because I DISAGREE with you doesn't mean I don;t still love you.

[ex-Pittsburgh Pirates]

I'm a little weirded-out now.

[Deleted]

You shouldn't be

[Deleted]

I will agree to this new rule, it is nice to be able to protect someone who hasn't quite made it to the majors on a really stacked team (like yankees) it could be a high risk, high reward.