Reserve Clause Question

reds1 · 09-02-2007, 03:59 AM

What's the best way to simulate the reserve clause scenario in OOTP2007? I would like to have finanicals on but with free agency restricted to released players and so forth.

I searched through other threads but couldn't find the info I was looking for. It sounds like OOTP may have limitations in this regard, but I would like to be sure.

Thanks!

Charlie Hough · 09-02-2007, 01:39 PM

It's very simple. Go into your league setup and select the rules tab. You can leave financials on and set the minimum service years for free agency to "no free agency". You may also want to eliminate the minimum service years for minor league free agency as well.

But please be aware that the American League did not honor the reserve clause during its first two seasons of 1901 and 1902. Also, the reserve clause was not written into the contracts of AL players who were signed in those years. So, even though the AL and NL reached an agreement after 1902 that included honoring the reserve clause of NL contracts, it is unclear to me when all AL players officially fell under the reserve clause. It may have been grandfathered in the AL, since many existing player contracts wouldn't have included the clause.

Also, it should be noted that baseball still operates under a reserve clause, though it is different than what it was during the first 100 years of the game. Players are still reserved by the teams that own their rights for up to 12 years, including six in the minors and six more in the majors.

reds1 · 09-02-2007, 02:05 PM

Thanks so much, Charlie! I didn't realize it was that straightforward.
It's for a fictional league on an island country (think Eugene's or DreamTeams' leagues), so it doesn't need to follow the major leagues in the States exactly in this regard. Just to emulate it.

Le Grande Orange · 09-02-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Hough

Players are still reserved by the teams that own their rights for up to 12 years, including six in the minors and six more in the majors.

Just a minor point, but it would actually be seven years in the minors, not six. A player doesn't become a minor league free agent until after seven years of service (the standard minor league contract covers one year and gives the club the right to renew up to six more times — hence, seven years in total).

CONN CHRIS · 09-02-2007, 02:51 PM

If you are going pre 1901, you'll need to look up all the dates. They escape me at the moment but I believe that un-fettered free agency existed until the late 1870s and then the reserve clause came into effect over a period of years. At first, it was a small number per team (loosely like the franchise tag in the NFL) until the RC was standard in all contracts (by the early/mid 1880s I think).

Edir - just NL

09-02-2007, 03:59 AM	#1
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,929	Reserve Clause Question What's the best way to simulate the reserve clause scenario in OOTP2007? I would like to have finanicals on but with free agency restricted to released players and so forth. I searched through other threads but couldn't find the info I was looking for. It sounds like OOTP may have limitations in this regard, but I would like to be sure. Thanks!

09-02-2007, 02:51 PM	#5
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,014	If you are going pre 1901, you'll need to look up all the dates. They escape me at the moment but I believe that un-fettered free agency existed until the late 1870s and then the reserve clause came into effect over a period of years. At first, it was a small number per team (loosely like the franchise tag in the NFL) until the RC was standard in all contracts (by the early/mid 1880s I think). Edir - just NL __________________ Check Out My Cards!

09-02-2007, 01:39 PM	#2
Charlie Hough Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3,640	It's very simple. Go into your league setup and select the rules tab. You can leave financials on and set the minimum service years for free agency to "no free agency". You may also want to eliminate the minimum service years for minor league free agency as well. But please be aware that the American League did not honor the reserve clause during its first two seasons of 1901 and 1902. Also, the reserve clause was not written into the contracts of AL players who were signed in those years. So, even though the AL and NL reached an agreement after 1902 that included honoring the reserve clause of NL contracts, it is unclear to me when all AL players officially fell under the reserve clause. It may have been grandfathered in the AL, since many existing player contracts wouldn't have included the clause. Also, it should be noted that baseball still operates under a reserve clause, though it is different than what it was during the first 100 years of the game. Players are still reserved by the teams that own their rights for up to 12 years, including six in the minors and six more in the majors.

09-02-2007, 02:05 PM	#3
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,929	Thanks so much, Charlie! I didn't realize it was that straightforward. It's for a fictional league on an island country (think Eugene's or DreamTeams' leagues), so it doesn't need to follow the major leagues in the States exactly in this regard. Just to emulate it.