Pre-Reserve Clause contracts

venflaalachi · 11-10-2017, 12:10 AM

The reserve clause was introduced in 1879 in response to player movement. What would be the setting in OOTP to reflect this pre-reserve clause era? it seems like players moved around often in some of the leagues. Would 1) no arbitration, 2) players being free agents after 1 year of service and 3)an unrestricted length of allowable extension years mimic this era well?

Under this system players would become free agents after their first contract is over.

joefromchicago · 11-10-2017, 09:06 AM

That seems like a good way to approximate the situation, although it may be more appropriate to the National Association than to the National League. Players, especially star players, were notorious for "rotating" among teams in the NA. That doesn't seem to have been as common once the NL came onto the scene, and I'm not sure why. It's possible that there was some collusion among the NL owners to discourage rotating, but I've never seen any actual evidence of that.

I'd be very interested in hearing about your results if you decide to go forward with your plan.

11-10-2017, 12:10 AM	#1
venflaalachi Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 313	Pre-Reserve Clause contracts The reserve clause was introduced in 1879 in response to player movement. What would be the setting in OOTP to reflect this pre-reserve clause era? it seems like players moved around often in some of the leagues. Would 1) no arbitration, 2) players being free agents after 1 year of service and 3)an unrestricted length of allowable extension years mimic this era well? Under this system players would become free agents after their first contract is over.

11-10-2017, 09:06 AM	#2
joefromchicago Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 3,725	That seems like a good way to approximate the situation, although it may be more appropriate to the National Association than to the National League. Players, especially star players, were notorious for "rotating" among teams in the NA. That doesn't seem to have been as common once the NL came onto the scene, and I'm not sure why. It's possible that there was some collusion among the NL owners to discourage rotating, but I've never seen any actual evidence of that. I'd be very interested in hearing about your results if you decide to go forward with your plan. __________________ American-Ethnic (and Canadian) Namesets Historical Minor League Schedules 1870s City/Team Nickname Randomizers "It's Usually Sunny in Philadelphia" weather mod Negro League Schedules