2005 AL-NL Theme: Draft Completed, Ready to Start

[mhpine]

I'm fine with keeping players from the 6 non-selected franchises out of play and getting rid of waivers.

What we'd ideally like to do is get rid of the 20% penalty for roster moves (maybe this can be a league option next year). The $100 million cap will only do this if there a rule that only $80 million can be spent on one's roster at any one time with the rest held in reserve.

Otherwise, it will simply be like any other $100 million league (more platoons, more value from expensive players etc...) However, I'd be fine with that as well, since the worst aspect of $100 million leagues is the fact that you can't recover from a bad auto-draft because of the slim pickings on the waiver wire. Since the auto-draft/waiver system wouldn't apply here, I don't see a reason not to use a higher cap.

[hendrix08]

I like keeping the undrafted 6 teams off limits.

I'd prefer the $80M cap

We're using tonights Pick-3 numbers, correct?

[MoCrash]

Lotto numbers from tonight will determine draft order.

A lot of issues have been bandied about, especially about trades and FAs, with a number of very good points. Here is my reasoning for setting it up the way I did.

Non-franchise FAs were meant to fill holes in rosters, but it has been suggested their either be outlawed or a cap of six be placed on them and/or that there be a two-round live draft of non-franchise FAs before the auto-draft. There is also a recommendation to ban trading franchise players.

I doubt if a resolution of these issues can be made which will satisfy all, but I'll try. [b:8e39dc9632]What if we have a four-round draft of non-franchise FAs after the teams are drafted -- with the new serpentine drafting order determined by the lotto numbers on the night following the completion of the team draft -- then skip waivers? Afterwards the only allowable transactions would be by trades, except for acquiring FAs only from each team's two franchises -- hence there would be no frenzy, and. So that the minor leagues could be successfully used, we raise the salary cap to $100 million.[/b:8e39dc9632]

This option would give teams opportunity to fill glaring holes in their lineups, which should be few if teams are drafted with an eyetowards balance, while still essentially retaining the "purity" of their teams. There usually aren't so many trades that the teams would be altered much and, if they are, well trades are a part of real baseball. At least they would be the product of innovation.

We have a couple of days to decide these issues while we go through the team draft, but let me know what you think.

[vince0501]

I still prefer leaving the players from the 6 undrafted teams out of the mix. I think Mhpine's idea of a $100 mil cap, but only allowed an 80K max on active roster is a good one. Allows flexibility with your " minor leagues", which essentially would be useless with a 20% cap hit on an 80 mil cap.

That being said, I would also be OK with the mini-draft, but I would suggest just a two round draft. Again it will keep more of the purity of the league. I realize there may not be 24 quality players on the excluded teams, but the potential is there to have 25% of your team from outside the theme.

[Mr Groundhog]

I prefer an [b:01ac60de25]$80 mil cap[/b:01ac60de25], I think that levels the playing field especially with the serpentine draft. I guess I could live with a $100 mil cap if you could use only $80 mil. Of course, that would have to be monitored. Why would you need to go to your "minor league" so much? I also agree that we should keep the 6 undrafted teams out of the mix.

[cummings2]

I like the way you put it up there mo. I think it strikes a good balance of all issues. Either way this will be fun and I am game for whatever you guys decide 8)

[MoCrash]

1. MoCrash - MO - 765
2. Bunbury - TX - 916
3. Novie - PA - 797
[b:e7d87e59c3]4. genevajack- IL -
5. Fillies 2 - CA - [/b:e7d87e59c3]
6. Vince0501- MI - 392
7. mhpine- NJ - 382
8. cummings2- WA - 755
9. AF Dickie-NY - 766
10. Mr Groundhog - DE - 310
11. Hendrix08 - FL - 950
12. elmrogers - GA - 887

[elmrogers]

At the risk of admitting I'm not up to speed on SOM as others are ( I admitted to being a newbie) can someone sum up some of the rules being bantered about, especially the "extra" rules beyond the 1AL/1NL team concept?

I understand the basic premise of the league and realize whoever gets say the Red Sox or Yankees is in a lot better shape than say someone who might have TB or KC etc from the AL, but what exactly are "non'franchise" FA's, or more to the point, assuming we have some type of draft from teams who are not selected, what exactly would be the definition of a "franchise" FA?

I "think" I like the idea of type of draft from the non-drafted clubs (to hopefully be able to fill in a glaring weakness) but I'll go along with whatever you vets agree to due to inexperince. If we do draft players from "non-drafted" teams, are we allowed to draft them only prior to the season? Seems thats what has been planned?

Offhand seems to me as managers in this league we are managing against the 2004 records of the 2 teams we draft vs each other. Anyone care to admit who one thinks are the power teams? In no particular order offhand seems the Red Sox, Yankees & Cards are obviously strong and whichever owner gets one of those teams is almost certain to finish ahead of an owner who as an example picks 10th and gets a "middle of the order" type franchise. Thoughts?

I guess I'm just looking for some late advice so I dont get buried ...

elm

[MoCrash]

The following is the order of the team draft:

1. Hendrix08 - FL - 950
2. Bunbury - TX - 916
3. elmrogers - GA - 887
4. Novie - PA - 797
5. AF Dickie-NY - 766
6. MoCrash - MO - 765
7. cummings2- WA - 755
8. Fillies 2 - CA - 558
9. Vince0501- MI - 392
10. mhpine- NJ - 382
11. Mr Groundhog - DE - 310
12. genevajack- IL - 254

I think I've hit upon a solution:

Following the team draft, a four-round player draft on non-franchise FAs (free agents from the six teams not chosen in the team draft) will be held based on the lotto numbers from the night following the completion of the team draft. Those who elect to skip their draft position should enter "skip" before the end of their turn. There will be no waivers, but non-franchise FAs become ineligible after the live draft. Trades are allowed at any time without restriction. However, in order to retain the essence of the theme, [b:fcb74065d0]each team will be required to maintain at least 20 franchise players on their rosters at all times.[/b:fcb74065d0] This will not only keep the franchises intact, but will be easy to monitor. The salary cap will be $80 million, with the standard $60 million minimum at the time of the AD, so select your team wisely.

I tried to strike a balance between the varied interests. I'll await feedback before codifying this into league rules.

[genevajack]

Might be good-Ill get to match two teams back to back.