Best way to cut dead salary weight

KurtBevacqua · 05-16-2005, 01:50 PM

Gotta problem here. After signing on with a new team I see the old GM locked us into a fading closer for about $6M per year for the next 4 years. The guy is 35 and his ratings are dropping fast. I'm not sure how the game plays out all the options, but I know if I hang onto him he'll make me go the full distance until he retires, tying up about 15% of my budget on a dying, uselss arm. I'm also fairly certain no one will be dumb enough to trade for him or pick him up off the waiver wire. So, if I simply cut the guy, and assuming no one picks him up, I suspect he'll get the hint and have to retire well before the 4 years are done. If he does retire after getting cut, am I still obligated for the full contract? If I am still obligated, does it still count against my budget annually or will it all come in one burst?

Scott Vibert · 05-16-2005, 01:54 PM

It'll come in one burst when you release him. You'll still have to pay the full amount.

Joshv02 · 05-16-2005, 01:56 PM

If you can waive him and put him in the minors, he may retire early. He likely has the right to refuse an option to the minors, however.

Gastric ReFlux · 05-16-2005, 01:58 PM

Put him in a game that you're going to lose. Keep pitching him til his arm falls off, by intentionally walking all batters who come to the plate. Eventually, the injury code will take him out.

Credit for this idea goes to Spielman in this post

MizzouRah · 05-16-2005, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gastric ReFlux

Put him in a game that you're going to lose. Keep pitching him til his arm falls off, by intentionally walking all batters who come to the plate. Eventually, the injury code will take him out.

Credit for this idea goes to Spielman in this post

Now that's funny.

Todd

dsvitak · 05-17-2005, 10:35 AM

Spielman, you're a genius. I have a couple of guys who are going to have a significant emotional event later on today....

Wilson · 05-17-2005, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshv02

If you can waive him and put him in the minors, he may retire early. He likely has the right to refuse an option to the minors, however.

I'm sitting on a couple contracts that I'd love to be rid of so I'm curious if anyone has actually been able to do this successfully?

rem · 05-17-2005, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilson

I'm sitting on a couple contracts that I'd love to be rid of so I'm curious if anyone has actually been able to do this successfully?

Yes, people do it. I believe if you put a player in Single-A he's much more likely to retire. Some, like myself, would have ethical issues with it.

JDOldSchool · 05-17-2005, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remangiii

Yes, people do it. I believe if you put a player in Single-A he's much more likely to retire. Some, like myself, would have ethical issues with it.

Will you still have an issue with it when the Yankees do this to Giambi in August?

There are a few tricks. One is with the DL. If your guy gets hurt, even if it's just a DTD injury, put him on the DL. 60-day, if possible. Leave him there. Sometimes they'll retire during the offseason, but if not, I'm sure a full year on the DL will do the trick.

rem · 05-17-2005, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

Will you still have an issue with it when the Yankees do this to Giambi in August?

Giambi's not walking away from 80M.

Wilson · 05-17-2005, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remangiii

Yes, people do it. I believe if you put a player in Single-A he's much more likely to retire. Some, like myself, would have ethical issues with it.

I do find the ethical angle of this to be interesting. For myself, I'd consider pitching someone into an injury, or leaving someone to rot on the DL as unacceptable options. I haven't made my mind up yet about sending them to A-ball. If I were the well-past-my-prime player with the huge contract at least I'd have a choice: to "ride the bus" in A-ball for a couple years and collect my checks, or If I'd already stashed away plenty of money it might not be worth the player's time / trouble / insult. At least the choice in theory would belong to the player. Also if the player has deteriorated to such a point, league rules permitting, shouldn't they really be demoted to make room for a more productive player?

Dan Theman · 05-17-2005, 11:44 PM

JD's right about Giambi. I also like the notion of embarassing a player into retirement. A-ball seems a little extreme, but using the pitcher for mopup duty or putting him on waivers and sending him to AAA works for me.

You MAY be able to package him with some younger talent in a salary dump move. I once traded such a player to an AI team for the absolue worst player in professional baseball, straight up. I just put him on my "involved players" list and went, team, by team, by team ... until at last I found a team that would make the deal.

KurtBevacqua · 05-18-2005, 07:49 AM

The A-ball option won't work with my guy. He's refusing minors. I'm pretty well stuck with him. This is why I never ever sign guys 34 and older to contracts more than years. Unfortunately I inherited this guy when I took the team. I'm guessing in a year all his ratings will be down to ones and twos.

ctorg · 05-18-2005, 08:50 AM

One little trick you can do is this:

Let him sit on the DFA list for the max amount of time, and bring up a scrub rookie with options left. When you have to bring him back, do so for one game and send the rookie down. After the game, put him back on the DFA list and bring the rookie back up. Just keep doing this. Hopefully he'll get the hint and retire.

William4192 · 05-18-2005, 01:29 PM

A horrible problem to be stuck with. Try the DL or pitch till injured.

KurtBevacqua · 05-18-2005, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William4192

A horrible problem to be stuck with. Try the DL or pitch till injured.

If it was a solo league I could try the pitch till injured gig, but being online it can't work that way. I can only hope the guy gets hurt and I can DL him forever and a day.

teak88 · 05-19-2005, 01:14 PM

When I have this situation, I package the veteran up with two or three very minor prospects (2-3 blue star guys) in the "Trade" menu; I then shop him to each team; usually a couple will offer something in return; often one of their overpriced washed up dogs... but one who has a lower salary or shorter contract. Sometimes I just go into the other team's roster; find some 39 yr old 1-star catcher making $1.1 million and offer the above package; almost always works.

If you want to cheat, change the "AI Trading Preference" to "Heavily Favor Veterans"; you'll probably get a 5-star prospect back

thomamon · 05-19-2005, 01:53 PM

Sometimes if you offer a decent spec or pick and cash to pay for some of his salary for someone to take him that has the cap room, you'll get a few offers.

KurtBevacqua · 05-19-2005, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teak88

When I have this situation, I package the veteran up with two or three very minor prospects (2-3 blue star guys) in the "Trade" menu; I then shop him to each team; usually a couple will offer something in return; often one of their overpriced washed up dogs... but one who has a lower salary or shorter contract. Sometimes I just go into the other team's roster; find some 39 yr old 1-star catcher making $1.1 million and offer the above package; almost always works.

If you want to cheat, change the "AI Trading Preference" to "Heavily Favor Veterans"; you'll probably get a 5-star prospect back

Would work in a solo league, but this is an online league. Not bloody likely to find another owner gullible enough to eat this contract under any circumstances.

kingcharlesxii · 05-19-2005, 03:54 PM

You'd have to give him away with a good prospect before someone would think about accepting it. However, if his contract is hurting you more than the prospect could help you eventually, it might not be a bad idea.

05-16-2005, 01:50 PM	#1
KurtBevacqua Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,968	Best way to cut dead salary weight Gotta problem here. After signing on with a new team I see the old GM locked us into a fading closer for about $6M per year for the next 4 years. The guy is 35 and his ratings are dropping fast. I'm not sure how the game plays out all the options, but I know if I hang onto him he'll make me go the full distance until he retires, tying up about 15% of my budget on a dying, uselss arm. I'm also fairly certain no one will be dumb enough to trade for him or pick him up off the waiver wire. So, if I simply cut the guy, and assuming no one picks him up, I suspect he'll get the hint and have to retire well before the 4 years are done. If he does retire after getting cut, am I still obligated for the full contract? If I am still obligated, does it still count against my budget annually or will it all come in one burst? __________________ "The type and formula of most schemes of philanthropy or humanitarianism is this: A and B put their heads together to decide what C shall be made to do for D. The radical vice of all these schemes, from a sociological point of view, is that C is not allowed a voice in the matter, and his position, character, and interests, as well as the ultimate effects on society through C's interests, are entirely overlooked. I call C the Forgotten Man" - William Graham Sumner

05-16-2005, 01:56 PM	#3
Joshv02 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: , " Posts: 3,082	If you can waive him and put him in the minors, he may retire early. He likely has the right to refuse an option to the minors, however. __________________ Brookline Maccabees. RIP

05-16-2005, 01:58 PM	#4
Gastric ReFlux Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Member #3409 Posts: 8,350	Put him in a game that you're going to lose. Keep pitching him til his arm falls off, by intentionally walking all batters who come to the plate. Eventually, the injury code will take him out. Credit for this idea goes to Spielman in this post Last edited by Gastric ReFlux; 05-16-2005 at 02:01 PM.

05-18-2005, 07:49 AM	#13
KurtBevacqua Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,968	The A-ball option won't work with my guy. He's refusing minors. I'm pretty well stuck with him. This is why I never ever sign guys 34 and older to contracts more than years. Unfortunately I inherited this guy when I took the team. I'm guessing in a year all his ratings will be down to ones and twos. __________________ "The type and formula of most schemes of philanthropy or humanitarianism is this: A and B put their heads together to decide what C shall be made to do for D. The radical vice of all these schemes, from a sociological point of view, is that C is not allowed a voice in the matter, and his position, character, and interests, as well as the ultimate effects on society through C's interests, are entirely overlooked. I call C the Forgotten Man" - William Graham Sumner

05-18-2005, 08:50 AM	#14
ctorg Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 9,848	One little trick you can do is this: Let him sit on the DFA list for the max amount of time, and bring up a scrub rookie with options left. When you have to bring him back, do so for one game and send the rookie down. After the game, put him back on the DFA list and bring the rookie back up. Just keep doing this. Hopefully he'll get the hint and retire. __________________ My music "When the trees blow back and forth, that's what makes the wind." - Steven Wright Fjord emena pancreas thorax fornicate marmalade morpheme proteolysis smaxa cabana offal srue vitriol grope hallelujah lentils

05-16-2005, 01:54 PM	#2
Scott Vibert Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: My Computer Posts: 8,254	It'll come in one burst when you release him. You'll still have to pay the full amount.

05-17-2005, 10:35 AM	#6
dsvitak Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 5,409	Spielman, you're a genius. I have a couple of guys who are going to have a significant emotional event later on today....

05-18-2005, 01:29 PM	#15
William4192 All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 1,625	A horrible problem to be stuck with. Try the DL or pitch till injured. __________________ What is this about Rhode Island? It is neither Road or Island. Come check out the PBA. http://www.pioneerbaseballassociation.com Or email at pbacommish@pioneerbaseballassociation.com

05-19-2005, 01:14 PM	#17
teak88 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 209	Trade him When I have this situation, I package the veteran up with two or three very minor prospects (2-3 blue star guys) in the "Trade" menu; I then shop him to each team; usually a couple will offer something in return; often one of their overpriced washed up dogs... but one who has a lower salary or shorter contract. Sometimes I just go into the other team's roster; find some 39 yr old 1-star catcher making $1.1 million and offer the above package; almost always works. If you want to cheat, change the "AI Trading Preference" to "Heavily Favor Veterans"; you'll probably get a 5-star prospect back

05-19-2005, 01:53 PM	#18
thomamon Global Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 5,274	Sometimes if you offer a decent spec or pick and cash to pay for some of his salary for someone to take him that has the cap room, you'll get a few offers. __________________ Thomas A. Montalto Please check out my Stupid Little Blog - http://www.stupidlittleblog.com

05-19-2005, 03:54 PM	#20
kingcharlesxii Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,731	You'd have to give him away with a good prospect before someone would think about accepting it. However, if his contract is hurting you more than the prospect could help you eventually, it might not be a bad idea. __________________ Formerly in the OTBA - Stockholm Royal Squirrels of Sweden OOTP Grand League Champion 2015