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Elendil · 10-09-2007, 10:27 PM

Crisis in the Small Markets

The owners met again in mid-September to try to resolve a festering dispute over financial support for small-market clubs. The owners of Bethel, Kodiak, Sitka, and Whitehorse were threatening to take their teams "on strike" and refuse to play in 2016 if the league did not meet their demands, which included:
1) A management-friendly salary arbitration system similar to MLB that would allow teams to retain rights to professional players for up to six years before they became eligible for free agency;
2) An increase in the away team gate share;
3) A reduction in the cash maximum to increase revenue sharing;
4) A reduction in the league minimum salary to $5000 per year.

Items 1 and 3 were the most controversial and faced heavy resistance from a number of clubs. Salary arbitration could reduce players' incentive to sign up for the Alaskan League draft in the first place. Item 4 would have the same sort of effect, but less strong perhaps. In the end, the owners adopted by majority vote a Commissioner proposal to adopt items 2 and 4 above (away team gate share was increased to 30%), as well as an amended schedule for 2016 that reduced the number of doubleheaders and gave small-market clubs a disproportionate share of weekend home games. Kodiak voted with the majority to accept the compromise, while the Glacier Pilots voted against, thinking the deal too friendly to the complaining clubs.

Bethel, Sitka, and Whitehorse kept up the resistance campaign, still threatening to pull out of the 2016 season. In response, the Commissioner's office would eventually resort to the threat of contraction.

Danger: The Canadian League of Baseball

On October 8, the Anchorage Daily News ran a bombshell of a story: the Anchorage Glacier Pilots were in negotiation with the Canadian League of Baseball to join that league.

The Canadian League had already organized teams from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, London, Kitchener, Hamilton, Mississauga, St Catharines (Niagara), Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, and Halifax. A franchise in Anchorage would give the league an even 16.

If the Glacier Pilots were to jump leagues, they would lose all rights to their players. However, they would retain stadium, advertising, merchandising, and broadcasting rights, as well as all their intellectual property.

By the end of October, word got out that the negotiations between the CLB and the Glacier Pilots were bogged down. The CLB issued a press release announcing that they were now seeking negotiations with the Anchorage Bucs and, if those failed, would consider establishing a new franchise in Anchorage.

Obviously, any of these options would be devastating for the Alaskan League. The departure of a traditional franchise would be a blow, but the direct competition from the league would probably be too much to sustain. The very existence of the Canadian League was threatening enough as it was: they could expect some of the best Alaskan players to leave for more money in the Canadian League if the league was a success.

Major Retirements

Bob Horton and Doug Beard retired after the 2015 season. Horton's final career numbers included 143 HR, 478 RBI, 519 runs, 835 hits, and a .319 batting average. He had spent 5 1/2 of his 9 years with the North Pole Nicks. He was an All-Star five times and Hitter of the Year twice.

Beard finished with 132 HR, no mean feat considering that he was rarely a full-time starter. He also had 442 RBI, 476 runs, 773 hits, and a .290 batting average. He was a five-time All-Star and once won a Glove Wizard in right field. He spent time with six different teams but was best known for his work with Juneau from 2007-2010 and again in 2014.

Jack Hatt and John Lynn were the most important pitcher retirees. Hatt finished his career with an 89-64 record and a 3.58 ERA. He was a six-time All-Star, once a Pitcher of the Year, and spent every season but one (2011) with the Anchorage Bucs. He finished his career on a bit of a down note, with a 5.12 ERA but a 10-7 record.

Lynn was equally impressive, finishing with a career 83-53 record and 3.56 ERA. He was a three-time All-Star and was best known for his work with Ketchikan-Whitehorse from 2007-2012. His last year was a bit subpar, as he posted a 4.89 record for the Nicks.

Team Offseason Moves & Grades

The Bucs lost second baseman John Hauk (career .265/.343/.412, 2015 Glove Wizard) to free agency, and he eventually signed with the rival Glacier Pilots.

They nearly lost promising young pitcher Herb Prat (career 3.99 ERA) but signed him to a 2-year contract after he had filed.

Otherwise, the team managed to improve significantly. They brought in outfielder Harry Harkness (career .305/.384/.457) on a rather generous 3-year deal (loss for Kodiak), and more importantly young Juneau SP Cisco Pena (career 4.37 ERA) on a reasonable 2-year, $34,000 per year contract, less than what Prat - an equally talented pitcher at best - would make.

The Bucs also pulled off a nice trade with the Glacier Pilots, sending them SP Jeremy House (career 4.34 ERA, age 25) for infielder Tom Arnold (career .270/.361/.437, age 32).

More was to come. Before October was out, they had also signed OF Aaron Ladner (career .298/.373/.548 but known for being injury prone) (loss for Whitehorse) and infielder Jonathan Bertrand (career .259/.366/.502, age 38) (loss for Chugiak). Bertrand, who had started at every infield position at different times in his career, would play third for the Bucs, while Arnold would move over to second.

In November, the team made another big deal, sending CF Jimmy Williams (career .291/.362/.543, age 36, 2015 CPOY) to the Miners for SP John Dewitt (career 4.02 ERA). Dewitt had spent most of his career with the Miners, and quite a few fans in the borough were grumpy about his departure.

Finally, the Bucs made a few more signings and a minor trade with Chugiak that brought in former Peninsula star Tommy Lambert (now almost washed up) and enhanced the team's depth.

Overall grade: A-. The only concern is that player payroll has increased by almost $80,000. The Bucs have been down this road before: overspending on veterans and underperforming. They weren't a contender in 2015 but will have to contend this year to stay financially healthy. I think they can do it.

More team evaluations to follow...

10-09-2007, 10:27 PM	#160
Elendil Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the dynasty forum Posts: 2,318	2015-16 Offseason Crisis in the Small Markets The owners met again in mid-September to try to resolve a festering dispute over financial support for small-market clubs. The owners of Bethel, Kodiak, Sitka, and Whitehorse were threatening to take their teams "on strike" and refuse to play in 2016 if the league did not meet their demands, which included: 1) A management-friendly salary arbitration system similar to MLB that would allow teams to retain rights to professional players for up to six years before they became eligible for free agency; 2) An increase in the away team gate share; 3) A reduction in the cash maximum to increase revenue sharing; 4) A reduction in the league minimum salary to $5000 per year. Items 1 and 3 were the most controversial and faced heavy resistance from a number of clubs. Salary arbitration could reduce players' incentive to sign up for the Alaskan League draft in the first place. Item 4 would have the same sort of effect, but less strong perhaps. In the end, the owners adopted by majority vote a Commissioner proposal to adopt items 2 and 4 above (away team gate share was increased to 30%), as well as an amended schedule for 2016 that reduced the number of doubleheaders and gave small-market clubs a disproportionate share of weekend home games. Kodiak voted with the majority to accept the compromise, while the Glacier Pilots voted against, thinking the deal too friendly to the complaining clubs. Bethel, Sitka, and Whitehorse kept up the resistance campaign, still threatening to pull out of the 2016 season. In response, the Commissioner's office would eventually resort to the threat of contraction. Danger: The Canadian League of Baseball On October 8, the Anchorage Daily News ran a bombshell of a story: the Anchorage Glacier Pilots were in negotiation with the Canadian League of Baseball to join that league. The Canadian League had already organized teams from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, London, Kitchener, Hamilton, Mississauga, St Catharines (Niagara), Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, and Halifax. A franchise in Anchorage would give the league an even 16. If the Glacier Pilots were to jump leagues, they would lose all rights to their players. However, they would retain stadium, advertising, merchandising, and broadcasting rights, as well as all their intellectual property. By the end of October, word got out that the negotiations between the CLB and the Glacier Pilots were bogged down. The CLB issued a press release announcing that they were now seeking negotiations with the Anchorage Bucs and, if those failed, would consider establishing a new franchise in Anchorage. Obviously, any of these options would be devastating for the Alaskan League. The departure of a traditional franchise would be a blow, but the direct competition from the league would probably be too much to sustain. The very existence of the Canadian League was threatening enough as it was: they could expect some of the best Alaskan players to leave for more money in the Canadian League if the league was a success. Major Retirements Bob Horton and Doug Beard retired after the 2015 season. Horton's final career numbers included 143 HR, 478 RBI, 519 runs, 835 hits, and a .319 batting average. He had spent 5 1/2 of his 9 years with the North Pole Nicks. He was an All-Star five times and Hitter of the Year twice. Beard finished with 132 HR, no mean feat considering that he was rarely a full-time starter. He also had 442 RBI, 476 runs, 773 hits, and a .290 batting average. He was a five-time All-Star and once won a Glove Wizard in right field. He spent time with six different teams but was best known for his work with Juneau from 2007-2010 and again in 2014. Jack Hatt and John Lynn were the most important pitcher retirees. Hatt finished his career with an 89-64 record and a 3.58 ERA. He was a six-time All-Star, once a Pitcher of the Year, and spent every season but one (2011) with the Anchorage Bucs. He finished his career on a bit of a down note, with a 5.12 ERA but a 10-7 record. Lynn was equally impressive, finishing with a career 83-53 record and 3.56 ERA. He was a three-time All-Star and was best known for his work with Ketchikan-Whitehorse from 2007-2012. His last year was a bit subpar, as he posted a 4.89 record for the Nicks. Team Offseason Moves & Grades The Bucs lost second baseman John Hauk (career .265/.343/.412, 2015 Glove Wizard) to free agency, and he eventually signed with the rival Glacier Pilots. They nearly lost promising young pitcher Herb Prat (career 3.99 ERA) but signed him to a 2-year contract after he had filed. Otherwise, the team managed to improve significantly. They brought in outfielder Harry Harkness (career .305/.384/.457) on a rather generous 3-year deal (loss for Kodiak), and more importantly young Juneau SP Cisco Pena (career 4.37 ERA) on a reasonable 2-year, $34,000 per year contract, less than what Prat - an equally talented pitcher at best - would make. The Bucs also pulled off a nice trade with the Glacier Pilots, sending them SP Jeremy House (career 4.34 ERA, age 25) for infielder Tom Arnold (career .270/.361/.437, age 32). More was to come. Before October was out, they had also signed OF Aaron Ladner (career .298/.373/.548 but known for being injury prone) (loss for Whitehorse) and infielder Jonathan Bertrand (career .259/.366/.502, age 38) (loss for Chugiak). Bertrand, who had started at every infield position at different times in his career, would play third for the Bucs, while Arnold would move over to second. In November, the team made another big deal, sending CF Jimmy Williams (career .291/.362/.543, age 36, 2015 CPOY) to the Miners for SP John Dewitt (career 4.02 ERA). Dewitt had spent most of his career with the Miners, and quite a few fans in the borough were grumpy about his departure. Finally, the Bucs made a few more signings and a minor trade with Chugiak that brought in former Peninsula star Tommy Lambert (now almost washed up) and enhanced the team's depth. Overall grade: A-. The only concern is that player payroll has increased by almost $80,000. The Bucs have been down this road before: overspending on veterans and underperforming. They weren't a contender in 2015 but will have to contend this year to stay financially healthy. I think they can do it. More team evaluations to follow...