Well, we're still waiting for Bobby Hucul to select a team name. I can't imagine that my temporary name of 'Hollywood Hucul' would be acceptable. I sent him a message today reminding him that the JBL fanatics are anxiously awaiting his decision...
It looks like the new Free Agent system will go through. Technically we need 10 YES votes to pass the rule. However, it's 8 yes votes so far - no one has been opposed to the new rule - so it's safe to say it will happen. I think it will be good for the league. It makes signing Free Agents quite easy now when the bids are under $10 bucks. It will also give those teams near the $300 salary cap some flexibility to bring in some players when needed. I like it - glad the JBL boys agreed. Thanks to Timmy for coming up with the idea - all I did was tweak it.
We still have to work out a new protection system. It was discussed several times during the summer but nothing was ever solidified. I think the actual number of keepers per team based on where you finish in the standings is perfect. I like that rule a lot as it keeps those teams near the bottom of the league interested as they try to gain more keeper spots. The Idaho situation this past season was a great example of how it works. Tuna made 2 deals that netted him 2 potentially great keepers in Lopez and Jennings. However, he couldn't avoid the 12th place finish and doesn't get to keep anyone. So, you can dump all your talent to get cheap guys - but make sure your team doesn't fall to the basement in the standings.
So, what will the new keeper system look like??
Currently, we have a 3 year system with $5 dollar bumps in salary each season.
Other suggestions have been a 4 and 5 year keeper system with varying bumps in salary.
In the recent JBL podcast, we discussed reviving the Restricted Free Agent type system where players go back into the auction but the last team has the right to match any salary demands. Its been years since we used this system. I kind of like it...
Let me throw this idea out there then...
How about a 4 year keeper system (with $5 dollar bumps) and then, after the 4th season, the player goes back into the auction but his previous team retains his rights and has the ability to match the winning auction bid? This would be very similar to the NBA's Restricted Free Agency rules in theory.
An example....John Wall gets drafted for $20 bucks this season by Bangkok (he always gets the good rookies). He is protected for $25 (year 2), then $30 (year 3) and then $35 (year 4). After that, he goes back in the auction and goes for $42 dollars to Seoul. (This is the offer sheet in NBA terms). So at this point, Bangkok now has to decide whether he wants to match the offer or give him up. Bangkok can keep Wall for $42 or let him go to Seoul for $42.
My proposal would be to incorporate this idea immediately (if approved by the league). So, it would be applied to all current protected players as well as all players being drafted this season. If a player was in year 3 of his contract, he could be protected a 4th year. Pretty simple I think.
I think the biggest concern of extending the length of time that players can be protected is the concern that one team ends up with 4 super duper keepers at cheap prices. I think this was a valid concern when the league had the Rob Nelson, Jeremy Wilson, and Dave Davies of the world. In other words, the uneducated NBA followers. I think with the passionate group we have now that it would be less and less likely that one or two owners could grab all the bargains. So, in summary, I am OK with extending the keeper length to a 4th season as well as re-instituting the RFA-type of matching system. What do you guys think? Like it?
So when should the final roster cuts be made?? I think the most fair is one week before the JBL draft. So, that would be Saturday, October 16th. Why this date?? Because it give owners a chance to see some players in the pre-season as well as be able to drop players that get injured in the pre-season. JBL teams shouldn't have to protect a player if he's out for the season with an injury sustained in the pre-season. I know we're trying to mirror the NBA as much as possible, but I think the NFL system/rule (where a NFL team can cut a player and not have to pay him) is more applicable here. After the Oct. 16th date - then I say the rosters are locked and you MUST keep the player through the draft. Your thoughts?
And finally, it looks like Vegas could be a huge success! We have 9 owners coming now so it should be amazing. (Gong show might be a better term). All JBL owners must bring their laptops as we will attempt to use the online auction draft system again (same as last season). Hopefully it will work and we'll be able to have 9 owners on the hotel line...if not, we'll have to revive the live auction and use MSN messenger for the 4 teams not in Vegas (French, Juan, Arctic, Belgrade). We'll have to test this out asap once we get there and put the other owners on notice of what we'll be doing.
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