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For the third year in a row, I have gathered 30 participants for a week-long activity to simulate the off-season. Each participant will represent a General Manager and negotiate trades with each other, and try to out-bid each other for free agents. For a look at last year's simulation, look here.
The 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. Each team has a "recommended" budget.
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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. Teams up against the luxury tax threshold (Red Sox, Phillies, Yankees) will have their contracts average annual value (AAV) applied to their budgets.
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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 (big market over small market; 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.
The timeline:
Sunday, November 9, 7pm CT - Simulation begins - teams can trade, negotiate/sign free agents
Monday, November 10, 9am CT - Qualifying offers on free agents due.
Monday, November 10, 5pm CT - All club options for players must be picked up or declined. Declined options go into the free agent pool.
Tuesday, November 11, 9am CT - All arbitration-eligible players must be tendered or non-tendered. Non-tendered players go into the free agent pool.
Wednesday, November 12, noon CT - Simulation ends
Negotiate for all free agents by emailing me at sbnationbaseballsim@gmail.com. All official transactions will be listed here (try to keep back-and-forth conversations out of this thread so we the transactions don't get cluttered, thanks).
Good luck!