jpx7 (12-05-2017), mqt (12-05-2017), UNCBlue012 (12-06-2017)
I want the organizations caught circumventing the rules to be punished in proportion to their crime. Voiding these contracts is tantamount to millions of dollars in fines as the Braves are out the money and the prospects.
Also, I don't think it's right at all that a player can be a party to circumventing the rules, keep his signing bonus, and then go get a second one. I understand a lot of these players are young and have no power. I'm not saying take their original bonus away. On the contrary, make these guys live up to the contracts they signed. Those contracts are just assigned to a different team.
jpx7 (12-05-2017)
We need to send them the other $1M in spending ability in a separate deal.
Then, Maitan back to ATL for Kelly in June...FTW.
And assigning the players contracts to another team wouldn't punish them. It just prevents them from getting a second signing bonus. Right now, players have a huge incentive to induce teams to break the rules, roll on them, get declared a free agent, and then get a second signing bonus.
I don't think declaring these guys free agents was smart. Baseball should be assigning their contracts to the highest bidder.
Personally, I think baseball should decide an amount to fine an organization, take the prospects, sell their contracts, and if there's anything in excess of the fine, it's returned to the offending organization.
jpx7 (12-05-2017)
Wasn't Maitan signed for 4 million originally?
It's not a fine. The braves already paid the money some time ago. Those bonuses have nothing to do with their finances going forward because they are off the books. A fine would impact their ability to spend or profit.
You are essentially arguing that they should get the money they spent illegally back as a windfall. That's remarkably stupid.
Abrahan Gutierrez signs with the Phils for $550k.
This thread is depressing.
clvclv (12-06-2017)
Some of these signings came through pretty quick. Be a real shame if any of these teams jumped the gun discussing terms.
Managuarantano's Volunteers (12-07-2017)