Moneyball Free Agent Signings 2023

Oops. I had a senior moment too. It’s in the rule

Didn’t we also tie being able to participate in the prospect draft to being under the cap?

Yes.

The rule states that banning my arb player(s) puts me back into compliance. It also says I can’t participate in FA signings or prospect draft until I am. Confusing. As it relates to FA signings, it seems like a horse before the cart situation. The arb decisions aren’t determined until after the FA signing period ends, right? So if I understand things correctly, at the moment (even if I sign Velazquez) I’m still in compliance and can fill my 40 man with a couple more signings, wait for Strat to release the salaries, at which point one or the other of my arb guys gets banned. Am I in compliance at that point or is the banned guy’s salary still on my books such that I MUST trade away additional player(s) to get under? If it’s the later, fine, but the rules should be edited to clearly state this. And I definitely need a reminder as to the timing of the prospect draft!

Nelson Velazquez OF 2 years @ $3,150,000 for a total of $6,300,000 by ggyuppie on Feb 1 @ 1:14 PM EST--SIGNED

Robert Stephenson RP 2 years @ $1,700,000 for a total of $3,400,000 by mykbr1 on Feb 2 @ 10:42 AM EST
Hector Neris RP 1 year @ $1,000,000 for a total of $1,000,000 by oldmansmith on Feb 2 @ 10:35 am EST
DJ Stewart OF 1 year @ $500,000 for a total of $500,000 by teamnasty on Feb 2 @ 10:55 am EST

Madal is up.

Robert Stephenson RP 2 years @ $1,700,000 for a total of $3,400,000 by mykbr1 on Feb 2 @ 10:42 AM EST
Hector Neris RP 1 year @ $1,300,000 for a total of $1,300,000 by paul long on Feb 2 @ 1:33 pm EST
DJ Stewart OF 1 year @ $500,000 for a total of $500,000 by teamnasty on Feb 2 @ 10:55 am EST

Madal is up.

The prospect draft prohibition until under cap is what gives the cap true teeth.

Robert Stephenson RP 2 years @ $1,700,000 for a total of $3,400,000 by mykbr1 on Feb 2 @ 10:42 AM EST
DJ Stewart OF 1 year @ $500,000 for a total of $500,000 by teamnasty on Feb 2 @ 10:55 am EST
Hector Neris RP 2 years @ $1,300,000 for a total of $2,600,000 by mykbr1 on Feb 2 @ 1:48 pm EST

Madal is up.

Robert Stephenson RP 2 years @ $1,700,000 for a total of $3,400,000 by mykbr1 on Feb 2 @ 10:42 AM EST
DJ Stewart OF 1 year @ $500,000 for a total of $500,000 by teamnasty on Feb 2 @ 10:55 am EST
Hector Neris RP 2 years @ $1,500,000 for a total of $3,000,000 by oldmansmith on Feb 2 @ 2:05 pm EST

Madal is up.

Robert Stephenson RP 2 years @ $1,850,000 for a total of $3,700,000 by paul long on Feb 2 @ 2:15 AM EST
DJ Stewart OF 1 year @ $500,000 for a total of $500,000 by teamnasty on Feb 2 @ 10:55 am EST
Hector Neris RP 2 years @ $1,500,000 for a total of $3,000,000 by oldmansmith on Feb 2 @ 2:05 pm EST

Robert Stephenson RP 2 years @ $1,700,000 for a total of $3,400,000 by mykbr1 on Feb 2 @ 10:42 AM EST
DJ Stewart OF 1 year @ $500,000 for a total of $500,000 by teamnasty on Feb 2 @ 10:55 am EST
Hector Neris RP 2 years @ $1,500,000 for a total of $3,000,000 by oldmansmith on Feb 2 @ 2:05 pm EST

Madal is up.

I put up Neris, I think it's yuppie

The rule states that banning my arb player(s) puts me back into compliance. It also says I can’t participate in FA signings or prospect draft until I am. Confusing.

Banning the players, and being prohibited from participating in the draft, is the penalty for being out of compliance. Once you get back under the $140 million cap you are considered back in salary compliance and can participate in the draft. The reason you cannot participate in the draft is that you do not have the salary space to add draft picks.

The banned players remain on your roster but are ineligible for the seasons. That penalty remains in effect for the full season.

As it relates to FA signings, it seems like a horse before the cart situation. The arb decisions aren’t determined until after the FA signing period ends, right? So if I understand things correctly, at the moment (even if I sign Velazquez) I’m still in compliance and can fill my 40 man with a couple more signings, wait for Strat to release the salaries, at which point one or the other of my arb guys gets banned.

That is correct. You would not be able to sign a free agent if you didn't have the salary space. The problem arises with the arbitration settlements. If you spent too much on the free agent market and end up with big arb settlements, you will be over the cap.

Am I in compliance at that point or is the banned guy’s salary still on my books such that I MUST trade away additional player(s) to get under?

Yes.

If it’s the later, fine, but the rules should be edited to clearly state this. And I definitely need a reminder as to the timing of the prospect draft!

The language about not being able to participate in the FA draft was left over from when we had two FA signing periods with one between the two seasons. We got rid of the summer period after the first season. I will clean up the language to eliminate any reference to the FA participation penalty.

If you make a trade before the arbitration settlement period, you may be able to create space and avoid any suspensions.

Hope this helps.