Free Agent Problems - remember Halladay?

viper · Post by **viper** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 10:59 am

History is a great learning tool. The WCOFB has added a rule to maintain competitive balance that the NFBC should consider.

In one WCOFB league, Roy Halladay was dropped after week 4. Everyone knew this was likely a huge mistake and one team acquired a top quality pitcher for very little. Stupidity is hard to legislate against but what if some team at the bottom decided to release AROD in week 10. Whoever has the most free agent dollars left is now a league favorite and an overall favorite through no efforts of his own. The possibility of collusion is even possible. The WCOFB limited this problem to some degree by stating that if a player drafted in the first 5 rounds is dropped, the player is essentially removed from the game for that league. The other 14 teams do not get an unfair advantage so they have no gripe. The team that drops this stud cannot get him back either so who cares. This has no impact on the overall standings and all teams in the league are equally effected in a positive way.

Just something to consider. The National Leaderboard group may be able to chime in on this post as they were there.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:30 pm

I will chime in on that because I saw what was happening last year and called to give my two cents of advice, stating that I hoped that move wouldn't be allowed. It would have thrown off the integrity of the whole high stakes contest and that would have hurt everyone. The WCOFB made the right call and DIDN'T let that guy cut Halladay. I'm not sure they needed to implement the rule this year that doesn't allow anyone in the Top five rounds to be cut, but they at least took what they feel is appropriate action.

What we are doing is stating that every move has the right to be denied by the commissioner of the NFBC, which is me. If I see a move like that, I will deny Halladay from being dropped and being picked up the next week because it would be unfair to the 19 other leagues that don't get a chance to pick up a second round pick for free. There may likely be other moves not as obvious that don't meet the discretion and we'll play that as we go along. I'm willing to take any heat that is necessary to make sure this competition is fair to everyone involved.

Now if at the all-star break someone has had it with a Top 100 pick who really has been hurt all year or is horrendous, maybe that player should and will be dropped into a league's free agent pool. And it's possible that will be allowed. That's why I don't want to put a limit on what round players can't be dropped or at what point in the draft those guys have to stick on your roster. I understand the intent, but we will take a hands-on approach to make sure every transaction is fair.

If a top pick is struggling, put him on your six-man reserve roster and hope that he busts out later without hurting your team. That's the best advice I could give.

Hope that answers your question.

viper · Post by **viper** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:30 pm

This seems fine to me. Never did know the final outcome in WCOFB but I do know that it raised quite a stink at the time.

a · Post by a » Sat Feb 14, 2004 4:03 am

That was in my league last year, I am glad WCOFB stepped in a reversed the decision and i hope NFBC will monitor (actually, I'm sure a league will complain first) transactions for fairness. Of course, I did submit my FA transaction along with 13 other teams to acquire him

Now, is it coincedence or just me???? I was in the league with the Halladay drop... In the league with the drunk guy (sat right next to him).... This year???????? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: