The Overspending Debate

There has been some discussion lately about whether or not it is okay for a team to intentionally overspend (i.e. spend money they don't yet have) to match a free agent. This is quite the hot topic right now, and i felt that each side deserved an honest look. i will try to not include any opinion here, just make a case for each side, in order to create a forum to further discuss this issue.

The Spending argument: Why it is okay to overspend.

Teams are given $50 at the beginning of each season to spend in trading, draft picks, and free agency. The use of this money is used soley at the disgression of the GM. There are also penalties in place in case a team was to spend more than their allotted money, resulting in less money given out at the beginning of the next season. Teams are also allowed to forward money from previous seasons, so how is that any different than borrowing from the next season? This is obviously not against the rules then...to choose to overspend. Each GM is aware of the penalties, and if they choose to overspend, they must be willing to face the penalty. It is the same as the person who chooses to speed on the highway. They are aware that if they get caught, they will be faced with a penalty...something he or she does not dispute. No one would question the intentions or morality of the driver. They new the deal up front. Why, then, can a team not choose to overspend and face the penalty?

The Counter argument: Why it is Not okay to overspend.

Since teams are given $50 at the beginning of each season, and know the rules that they must have a full roster at the end, it is up to them to fulfill this demand with the money they are given. It has already been stated that teams cannot bid on players if they have no money or have a negative balance. It follows, then, that team should not be able to match for more than the minimum bid of $3. There is a reality that teams must fill their rosters, even if they go over. However, this should be limited to paying the minimum for players, not going further into the red to match a player that is more than the minimum. If this is allowed, where is a team to stop? If a team has no money, and one of their great players, Reggie Jackson for example (or whoever), brings in a $35 bid, and they were to match him, thus going $70 in the hole and starting even after their $50 initial money at -$20, it would get ridiculously out of hand. Other GM's make bid in free agency based on what they think another team will match, or in some cases, what a team has the ability to match. They may intentionally not bid higher, when they could have, counting on the fact that a team cannot match because the funds are not there. The bidding team then gets the shaft for the matching team breaking the rules.

End of Season Award Winners

The votes have been counted up and tallied. Here are your winners...

MVP

National League

1. L. Gehrig CIN 69

2. B. Ruth FLA 43

3. D. Parker LA 22

American League

1. H. Aaron TEX 89

2. R. Jackson NYY 28

3. O. Cepeda NYY 22

Cy Young

National League

1. J. Kennedy LA 68

2. A. Eaton PHI 62

T3. D. Harren NYM 15

T3. V. Mizzell FLA 15

American League

1. N. Ryan SEA 100 Unanamous

2. J. Gobble BOS 23

3. T. Livingston BOS 19

Rookie of the Year

National League

1. R. Weeks PGH 98

2. K. Lofton NYM 50

3. W. Earys COL 13

American League

1. J. Encarnacion TOR 79

2. S. Renko TOR 55

3. C. Shaffernoth BAL 23

Fireman of the Year

National League

1. R. Soriano HOU 68

2. D. Wheeler PHI 42

3. R. Face LA 26

American League

1. J. Bong BOS 73

2. C. Bradford SEA 51

3. D. Riske MIL 23

General Manager of the Year

1. Jim PHI 60

2. Glenn OAK 34

3. Arvin SEA 32

Bull Markets and Deflation in Habla Free Agency

We are knocking on the door of free agency again and it looks to be an exciting year. Presigns are in and the newest batch of Franchise Players have been tagged. But this year is a bit different. As we head into Free Agency, few teams have sufficient money to do what they would like to do. Teams are finding themselves with 9 open roster slots and $21, with a fairly big free agent to try and match. The fact is, there are more Free Agents this year and less money. This will create an interesting dynamic in the FA bidding. It could be a Bull market for the few teams who have money to spend, as there should be good players going for far less than they would in a typical year. Deflation has occurred this offseason in Habla. I think there are at least 3 main reasons why this has happened.

1. Good, deep draft class.

This is one of the better, deeper draft classes in a few years. What result does this have on cheaper free agents? More owners want to hold onto and use their picks, which creates less money for them to use on Free Agents. It it was a meager year for the draft, we would see less picks used and more revenue available for the Free Agents (by all means, not a complaint, just an observation).

2. Meager carry over from last year.

A quick read of the money carried over from last year shows how competitive and pricey last years offseason was. In a given year, a handful of teams generally carry over the maximum ($35) or close to it. This year, the most carried over was $24 and only 4 teams carried over $20 or more. A record 5 teams came into this year with a negative carry over. What is perhaps most astonishing, 17 teams carried over between $0 and $10. That is a very low carry over, which gives teams less money to work with this season.

3. More and Better Free Agents.

This isn't scientific, but doesn't it just feel like there are more free agents available this offseason? That there are so many that not all can get what they are worth? I think we are seeing the results of the good drafts we had 6-10 years ago. Those players are getting older and becoming free agents, and our economy is adjusting.

In conclusion, it looks to be a very exciting year. If you have money...bid away. You won't have much competition and will likely not get matched. If you are short on money...do your best to fill you roster and maintain those precious players you want to keep. We may see this happen again next year.

Owl’s Power Rankings-July

He's Back. He never sleeps.

1. Texas- Rangers still the team to chase but can’t
have a lapse.

2. Minnesota- Twins made a move and should the whole
season

3. Philadelphia- Losing Frank Robinson really shows
his value.

4. Pittsburgh- It’s finally coming together.

5. Seattle- still chasing Texas but they won’t go
away.

6. Oakland- In the middle of the Playoff race where
they can’t afford to lose.

7. Florida- Pushing the Phillies in the NL East

8. San Francisco- Giants hanging tough.

9. Dodgers- Making annual playoff run

10. Chicago (A)- still in the hunt. Don’t think they
will go away

11. Milwaukee- Another surprise team that can make the
playoffs

12. Boston- Just needs the hitting to be consistent

13. Cleveland- Pitching staff struggling

14. New York Yankees- Reggie and Orlando keep this
team in it.

15. Montreal- Team spinning it’s wheels. Will they
get traction?

16. Cincinnati-Pitching needs to come around

17. Houston- Roller coaster season so far.

18. Detroit- still close enough to win the AL East

19. St. Louis- injuries have been a factor in this
down year.

20. Colorado- 8 game losing streak will be tough to
overcome. There’s still time

21. Baltimore- recent winning streak due to pitching.

22. New York Mets- Improved play offers help.

23. Chicago (N)- Pitcher Jim Slaton needs some help

24. Atlanta- The rebuilding effort has begun

25. Anaheim- Bender is the real deal. Angels showing
signs of life

26. Kansas City- they still have Clemens and that’s
good foundation.

27. San Diego- 1B Greg Brock is having a good season
but the young Pitchers aren’t ready

28. Toronto- Pitching in a dome is tough. Ask any
Blue Jay pitcher.