Promotion/Relegation: Reserve Clause vs. Free Agency

Bayvann · 05-08-2015, 10:50 AM

I am running a 5-tier promotion/relegation league, loosely based on English Football.

I have separated the levels through both League Reputation (10-8-6-4-2) and through diminishing financial levels from top to bottom. I am seeing fairly good movement (both through trades, free agency, and emerging talent) over the first two seasons as the leagues attempt to normalize both salaries and overall team cash flows.

I have the leagues set up so that new talent emerges through the use of International players and teams international complexes. I do not use a draft.

My concern is the use of Free Agency vs. Reserve Clause era contracts. During my first two season, I have used free agency (set to 4 years) with all players initially set to minimum contracts... after season 1 there was a pretty big scramble to sign players... after season two, there was an increase in trades and free agency seemed to regulate itself to some degree. I am wondering if for the purpose of long term stability and the ability of teams that get relegated to better manage their rosters, using reserve clause with a low cost (10% of remaining contract) for releasing players would assist successful teams in keeping their players longer and allow the relegated teams to release big salaried players in lieu of signing more players at appropriate salary and talent levels to their new league level.

thoughts?

05-08-2015, 10:50 AM	#1
Bayvann Bat Boy Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 15	Promotion/Relegation: Reserve Clause vs. Free Agency I am running a 5-tier promotion/relegation league, loosely based on English Football. I have separated the levels through both League Reputation (10-8-6-4-2) and through diminishing financial levels from top to bottom. I am seeing fairly good movement (both through trades, free agency, and emerging talent) over the first two seasons as the leagues attempt to normalize both salaries and overall team cash flows. I have the leagues set up so that new talent emerges through the use of International players and teams international complexes. I do not use a draft. My concern is the use of Free Agency vs. Reserve Clause era contracts. During my first two season, I have used free agency (set to 4 years) with all players initially set to minimum contracts... after season 1 there was a pretty big scramble to sign players... after season two, there was an increase in trades and free agency seemed to regulate itself to some degree. I am wondering if for the purpose of long term stability and the ability of teams that get relegated to better manage their rosters, using reserve clause with a low cost (10% of remaining contract) for releasing players would assist successful teams in keeping their players longer and allow the relegated teams to release big salaried players in lieu of signing more players at appropriate salary and talent levels to their new league level. thoughts?