Welcome to the SB Nation Winter Meetings Simulation Preview Thread. We are conducting a simulation with 30 GMs negotiating with free agents and conducting trades. For a look at last year's simulation, see here.
This year we have 30 GMs taking over teams from the end of the 2013 regular season.
The timeline:
Monday, November 4, 9am ET - Simulation begins - teams can trade, negotiate/sign free agents
Monday, November 4, noon ET - Qualifying offers on free agents, silent bid on Masahiro Tanaka and Seung Kwan Oh for posting
Tuesday, November 5, noon ET - All club options for players must be picked up or declined. Declined options go into the free agent pool.
Wednesday, November 6, 5pm ET - All arbitration-eligible players must be tendered or non-tendered. Non-tendered players go into the free agent pool.
Friday, November 8, 1pm ET - Simulation ends
Some ground rules:
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We rewind to the end of the regular season.
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The assumption is your GM has resigned and been replaced. The new GM is free to set their own organizational philosophy.
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We're not concerned with the 40 man roster.
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Players with no-trade clauses cannot be traded (this includes players with 10-5 rights). Players with limited no-trade clauses can be traded, but I reserve the right to veto it if I think the player would not accept the trade.
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Minor leaguers can be traded, but must be specified. No Players to be named Later. Cash may be dealt, but the amount must be specified.
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You are free to frontload or backload contracts, although player preferences are for contracts not to be backloaded. Anything ridiculous will not be accepted. You can offer player, club, mutual, and vesting options.
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Top offer will typically be taken, although there may be exceptions if a player has a preference on where he wants to play (NY over Pittsburgh; older vet may want to play for a "winner.")
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I am not going to negotiate long-term deals for players that are not free agents.
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Derek Jeter and Wandy Rodriguez have picked up their player options. Joe Nathan and Ubaldo Jimenez have declined theirs. Joe Saunders has picked up his half of the mutual option, leaving it to Seattle.
Feel free to post team needs, who's on the trading block, what you're looking for. Don't feel like you have to though. Trades should be conducted in private via email. Free agent negotiations with me won't begin til Monday.
Please post your team name and PRESENT so I know you're still with us and participating. We begin on Monday! Best of luck!