Boras on the Fan

[TheHurl]

http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand-3/Scott-Boras-with-Joey-Vendetta-jv-20130819-Interview.mp3

 

Early parts where he gives Beeston credit for creating a culture in the 80's where he made Toronto a destination to want to be seemed fake.

 

great comments about PED's, essentially blames the process and governance for years. End point was those that had no true sets of rules shouldn't be chastised in the same way as those that have a set of rules that they are breaking.

 

Comments about the draft are so true, believes that the current system hurts the premium players who will become stars. Believes obviously in free spending, however believes that baring that ability should have a way they can pool funds to get the exceptional talents (cites his $5M signees that have become stars).

 

People can hate this guy but he's really one of the smartest guys out there that truly loves baseball (what he does for fun...watches baseball) and he'd be a better commish than anyone out there.

[TheHurl]

oh yeah and he said that he truly believed that there was something non-monetary behind the non-signing of Bickford.

[DuckDuckGose]

http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand-3/Scott-Boras-with-Joey-Vendetta-jv-20130819-Interview.mp3

 

Early parts where he gives Beeston credit for creating a culture in the 80's where he made Toronto a destination to want to be seemed fake.

 

great comments about PED's, essentially blames the process and governance for years. End point was those that had no true sets of rules shouldn't be chastised in the same way as those that have a set of rules that they are breaking.

 

Comments about the draft are so true, believes that the current system hurts the premium players who will become stars. Believes obviously in free spending, however believes that baring that ability should have a way they can pool funds to get the exceptional talents (cites his $5M signees that have become stars).

 

People can hate this guy but he's really one of the smartest guys out there that truly loves baseball (what he does for fun...watches baseball) and he'd be a better commish than anyone out there.

 

Smart man but, an ******* (which is probably partly a public persona). He's very very good at his job though. He'd make a good commish and the league would benefit having him on the other side of the bargaining table.

[DuckDuckGose]

oh yeah and he said that he truly believed that there was something non-monetary behind the non-signing of Bickford.

 

Would he have any inside info though? Was he Bickford's advisor?

[Dr. Dinger]

http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand-3/Scott-Boras-with-Joey-Vendetta-jv-20130819-Interview.mp3

he'd be a better commish than anyone out there.

 

Probably true. He's the best at exploiting loopholes, so he'd probably be excellent at closing them.

[G-Snarls]

Ben Nicholson Smith did a write up on the interview:

 

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/boras-we-have-a-duty-to-create-boundaries/

[TheHurl]

Would he have any inside info though? Was he Bickford's advisor?

 

Nope he was a Legacy Sports Group guy but he's a local kid for Boras. The way Boras ordered his comments you could read something into it (whether it's correct or not I'm not sure), he stated that his $5M signees have become stars in this league...then words that Bickford was something other than money. Could have been saying that Bickford wasn't worth what he was asking.

[Abomination]

I really think Boras would destroy the game if he was commissioner, but I think there are a lot of things that need to be changed and the league would be smart to consult with him frequently to get an additional viewpoint.

 

Things I would like to see changed or restructured (probably missing a lot):

 

 

1. Schedule, Playoffs -> Knock the regular season down to 150 games and expand the playoffs to 16 teams. (I know a LOT of people here are against that). Restore a balanced schedule. Playoffs are simply top 8 teams from each league, no divisions. All series best of 7.
   
2. Draft -> All players under a certain age subjected to single mlb draft. Fixed slot bonuses, and players must declare whether to enter the draft or not. All players must undergo full standardized league medical tests made available to all teams. If a player is chosen, they automatically become property of the team and can not choose to go to college or play in independent leagues. All draft slots tradeable.
   
3. Free agency, contracts -> No penalties for signing free agents. Free agent contracts limited to a maximum of 4 years. Players without enough service time to qualify for free agency or players who have been with their current team for at least 4 years can sign a contract or extension for more than 4 years, but can not be traded until they have less than the 4 years remaining. No back or front loading contracts. Value is the same for each year.
   
4. Free agent compensation -> Teams automatically compensated for losing players to free agency based on the AAV of the contract the players signs. However, the team can not trade back for that player until his contract expires. Compensation awarded via draft picks at the end of each round. Which round the pick is given to depends on the AAV of the contract.
   
5. Salary Cap -> Slightly more aggressive (and firm) salary cap and floor system (just to stop ridiculous excess rather than have all teams within a few percent of each other). Teams receive an extra 5% allotment a few weeks before trade deadline to help facilitate trades. Teams can not receive more than 100% of their teams payroll in revenue sharing.
   
6. Stadiums -> Special 10% MLB tax on all baseball revenue. When teams wish to build a new stadium, they can request one be built. The new stadium is owned by MLB, but teams receive all baseball related revenue from the stadium above general operating costs. MLB receives all other event revenue. If a team wishes to build something fancier or that costs more than is available, they can choose to delay the construction until sufficient funds have built up. At current baseball revenue, a $750 million stadium could be built each year.
   
7. Umpires -> As soon as the technology is mature enough, give umpires the ability to augment their natural ability. Some kind of google glass technology for balls/strikes for example and tennis style fair/foul/home run/catch system.
   

 

I'm sure I'm missing a lot, these are just a few of my ponderings.

[TheHurl]

[*]Draft -> All players under a certain age subjected to single mlb draft. Fixed slot bonuses, and players must declare whether to enter the draft or not. All players must undergo full standardized league medical tests made available to all teams. If a player is chosen, they automatically become property of the team and can not choose to go to college or play in independent leagues. All draft slots tradeable.

 

There will be a lot of colleges running out of scholarships, you won't have a semi-legitimate high school player after the first 2 rounds. Honestly only way this ever happens is if the arbitration process starts in year 2 instead of 4.

[Abomination]

There will be a lot of colleges running out of scholarships, you won't have a semi-legitimate high school player after the first 2 rounds. Honestly only way this ever happens is if the arbitration process starts in year 2 instead of 4.

 

Is that really a bad thing though? I mean the high school players taken late usually end up spending a few years in short season anyhow. This way teams get a better evaluation of their true talent.

[Nox]

I really think Boras would destroy the game if he was commissioner, but I think there are a lot of things that need to be changed and the league would be smart to consult with him frequently to get an additional viewpoint.

 

Things I would like to see changed or restructured (probably missing a lot):

 

 

1. Schedule, Playoffs -> Knock the regular season down to 150 games and expand the playoffs to 16 teams. (I know a LOT of people here are against that). Restore a balanced schedule. Playoffs are simply top 8 teams from each league, no divisions. All series best of 7.
   
2. Draft -> All players under a certain age subjected to single mlb draft. Fixed slot bonuses, and players must declare whether to enter the draft or not. All players must undergo full standardized league medical tests made available to all teams. If a player is chosen, they automatically become property of the team and can not choose to go to college or play in independent leagues. All draft slots tradeable.
   
3. Free agency, contracts -> No penalties for signing free agents. Free agent contracts limited to a maximum of 4 years. Players without enough service time to qualify for free agency or players who have been with their current team for at least 4 years can sign a contract or extension for more than 4 years, but can not be traded until they have less than the 4 years remaining. No back or front loading contracts. Value is the same for each year.
   
4. Free agent compensation -> Teams automatically compensated for losing players to free agency based on the AAV of the contract the players signs. However, the team can not trade back for that player until his contract expires. Compensation awarded via draft picks at the end of each round. Which round the pick is given to depends on the AAV of the contract.
   
5. Salary Cap -> Slightly more aggressive (and firm) salary cap and floor system (just to stop ridiculous excess rather than have all teams within a few percent of each other). Teams receive an extra 5% allotment a few weeks before trade deadline to help facilitate trades. Teams can not receive more than 100% of their teams payroll in revenue sharing.
   
6. Stadiums -> Special 10% MLB tax on all baseball revenue. When teams wish to build a new stadium, they can request one be built. The new stadium is owned by MLB, but teams receive all baseball related revenue from the stadium above general operating costs. MLB receives all other event revenue. If a team wishes to build something fancier or that costs more than is available, they can choose to delay the construction until sufficient funds have built up. At current baseball revenue, a $750 million stadium could be built each year.
   
7. Umpires -> As soon as the technology is mature enough, give umpires the ability to augment their natural ability. Some kind of google glass technology for balls/strikes for example and tennis style fair/foul/home run/catch system.
   

 

I'm sure I'm missing a lot, these are just a few of my ponderings.

 

I'm not trying to be a dick just for the sake of being a dick, but I really, really dislike almost every idea there.

[Boxcar]

http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_demand-3/Scott-Boras-with-Joey-Vendetta-jv-20130819-Interview.mp3

 

Early parts where he gives Beeston credit for creating a culture in the 80's where he made Toronto a destination to want to be seemed fake.

 

great comments about PED's, essentially blames the process and governance for years. End point was those that had no true sets of rules shouldn't be chastised in the same way as those that have a set of rules that they are breaking.

 

Comments about the draft are so true, believes that the current system hurts the premium players who will become stars. Believes obviously in free spending, however believes that baring that ability should have a way they can pool funds to get the exceptional talents (cites his $5M signees that have become stars).

 

People can hate this guy but he's really one of the smartest guys out there that truly loves baseball (what he does for fun...watches baseball) and he'd be a better commish than anyone out there.

 

ITT: Hurl flexes his Boras Boner.

[Abomination]

I'm not trying to be a dick just for the sake of being a dick, but I really, really dislike almost every idea there.

 

No worries at all (although you could state why). World would be pretty boring if everyone thought the exact same.

[Nox]

No worries at all (although you could state why). World would be pretty boring if everyone thought the exact same.

 

In short, points 2-5 would be absolutely awful for the players. I don't see what they do other than enrich the owners. The idea that there is no parity in baseball is such a myth.

 

Point 6: A mandatory 10% tax on revenue has the potential to immediately cripple a small market team. Plus, can you imagine the politics/infighting that would go into who gets the next stadium built? It's tough enough to get 1 of these structures built with 1 ownership group involved per project, let alone 30.

 

Point 7: Just cut to the chase and eliminate umps from calling balls and strikes.

[Nox]

All playoff series 7 games is a no brainer though.

 

Sure, that's fine. But I have no idea why we would want to add MORE variance to the playoffs by adding 8 more teams. The 162 game season needs to mean substantially more than the playoffs.

[Boxcar]

I really think Boras would destroy the game if he was commissioner, but I think there are a lot of things that need to be changed and the league would be smart to consult with him frequently to get an additional viewpoint.

 

Things I would like to see changed or restructured (probably missing a lot):

 

 

1. Schedule, Playoffs -> Knock the regular season down to 150 games and expand the playoffs to 16 teams. (I know a LOT of people here are against that). Restore a balanced schedule. Playoffs are simply top 8 teams from each league, no divisions. All series best of 7.
   
2. Draft -> All players under a certain age subjected to single mlb draft. Fixed slot bonuses, and players must declare whether to enter the draft or not. All players must undergo full standardized league medical tests made available to all teams. If a player is chosen, they automatically become property of the team and can not choose to go to college or play in independent leagues. All draft slots tradeable.
   
3. Free agency, contracts -> No penalties for signing free agents. Free agent contracts limited to a maximum of 4 years. Players without enough service time to qualify for free agency or players who have been with their current team for at least 4 years can sign a contract or extension for more than 4 years, but can not be traded until they have less than the 4 years remaining. No back or front loading contracts. Value is the same for each year.
   
4. Free agent compensation -> Teams automatically compensated for losing players to free agency based on the AAV of the contract the players signs. However, the team can not trade back for that player until his contract expires. Compensation awarded via draft picks at the end of each round. Which round the pick is given to depends on the AAV of the contract.
   
5. Salary Cap -> Slightly more aggressive (and firm) salary cap and floor system (just to stop ridiculous excess rather than have all teams within a few percent of each other). Teams receive an extra 5% allotment a few weeks before trade deadline to help facilitate trades. Teams can not receive more than 100% of their teams payroll in revenue sharing.
   
6. Stadiums -> Special 10% MLB tax on all baseball revenue. When teams wish to build a new stadium, they can request one be built. The new stadium is owned by MLB, but teams receive all baseball related revenue from the stadium above general operating costs. MLB receives all other event revenue. If a team wishes to build something fancier or that costs more than is available, they can choose to delay the construction until sufficient funds have built up. At current baseball revenue, a $750 million stadium could be built each year.
   
7. Umpires -> As soon as the technology is mature enough, give umpires the ability to augment their natural ability. Some kind of google glass technology for balls/strikes for example and tennis style fair/foul/home run/catch system.
   

 

I'm sure I'm missing a lot, these are just a few of my ponderings.

 

1. Just no to 16 teams in the playoffs. One of my favourite things about baseball is how hard it is to get to the post season and it makes the end of the season so much more exciting. Also, no chance for a crappy scrub team to go all the way. Reducing the regular season so we can have 3 month long playoffs like the NHL does not appeal to me at all.

 

2. Your plan would be great for the NFL or NBA. Drafted players should be able to bargain too, and not every #1 pick is made equal. Why should a generational talent like Harper get the same as a guy like Mark Appel? More restrictions and rules here just seem unnecessary.

 

3. More unnecessary restrictions. If the teams want to pay for a contract, they should be allowed to do so. No way the players union would ever agree to that anyway.

 

4. "However, the team can not trade back for that player until his contract expires." This just seems very...strange and unnecessarily prohibitive. I guess I don't mind the rest of it.

 

5. I don't feel like there is an issue with parity. The Jays, Phillies, Angels all have payrolls well in excess of 100 million and all of them are well below .500. The Rays, A's, Indians, Pirates, Royals are all well under 100 million and contending for a division title. The main difference between teams is the intelligence of the front office and their ability when it comes to different aspects of running a team. I agree with a floor to prevent the Lorias of the world from taking advantage, but a firm cap is unnecessary. I don't understand the desire to punish an owner who wants to invest in the team.

 

6. This one is just awful. Basically baseball communism.

 

7. Yeah, for sure.

[Abomination]

1. Just no to 16 teams in the playoffs. One of my favourite things about baseball is how hard it is to get to the post season and it makes the end of the season so much more exciting. Also, no chance for a crappy scrub team to go all the way. Reducing the regular season so we can have 3 month long playoffs like the NHL does not appeal to me at all.

 

2. Your plan would be great for the NFL or NBA. Drafted players should be able to bargain too, and not every #1 pick is made equal. Why should a generational talent like Harper get the same as a guy like Mark Appel? More restrictions and rules here just seem unnecessary.

 

3. More unnecessary restrictions. If the teams want to pay for a contract, they should be allowed to do so. No way the players union would ever agree to that anyway.

 

4. "However, the team can not trade back for that player until his contract expires." This just seems very...strange and unnecessarily prohibitive. I guess I don't mind the rest of it.

 

5. I don't feel like there is an issue with parity. The Jays, Phillies, Angels all have payrolls well in excess of 100 million and all of them are well below .500. The Rays, A's, Indians, Pirates, Royals are all well under 100 million and contending for a division title. The main difference between teams is the intelligence of the front office and their ability when it comes to different aspects of running a team. I agree with a floor to prevent the Lorias of the world from taking advantage, but a firm cap is unnecessary. I don't understand the desire to punish an owner who wants to invest in the team.

 

6. This one is just awful. Basically baseball communism.

 

7. Yeah, for sure.

 

I'll elaborate a little on a few of the points (I think it's a very interesting topic).

 

1. I knew a lot of people here wouldn't like expanded playoffs, but it would cause fan interest to jump significantly. Smaller market teams would also be much more likely to re-sign their stars I think - and the star players would be more likely to want to re-sign with the smaller market team. I also think it counters some of the payroll disparity to a larger degree.

 

2. Generational talents like Harper aren't generally going to get gobs more under the current system anyway, simply because they have no real advantage (but a ton of risk) for not coming to an agreement if they are one of the first few picks. What this would do is make the whole process go much smoother, and allow teams to get players into their system immediately and give them an extra 1/2 year of development (which is good for the players too). I'm not sure more players going the college route is a bad thing at all. They probably get just as much playing experience and instruction (if not more) than they do in short season anyhow. It would also increase signing bonuses for a lot of later round college guys with no leverage who teams currently abuse to free up money.

 

3. I agree the players union would never agree to it, but I think it would improve the game. Guys would be more likely to get more money if they stayed healthy and productive, and less if they didn't which is how it really should be. It would also keep guys hungry, rather than seeming to just sit back and veg after they get their mega contracts.

 

4. The clause may not be necessary (can't recall exactly what I was concerned about when I added it). I like the rest though, as I think it would provide much more fair compensation over a much larger range of players.

 

5. Parity hasn't seemed as big a deal the last few years (and expanded playoffs would make it MUCH less of a concern imo), but in reality the firm cap would probably only affect the upper limit on 2 teams this year. In fact a higher floor might affect more teams next year than a lower ceiling would. I don't really agree that the difference in general is front office intelligence, but rather teams being forced to operate in that manner based on their payroll limits. I honestly think that if you gave Beane or Friedman a boatload more money that they'd make the same kind of moves other larger market teams make. They might be a little more successful at it (especially Beane), but I think the type of moves would be the same. The exception imo is the Cards front office, who I don't think would significantly change their habits.

 

6. The devil would certainly be in the details, but currently it seems that a lot of the load for new stadiums comes from a city's tax payers. This would shift the load specifically to baseball fans. Teams would no longer need to worry about stadium leases or debt, and all stadiums would be baseball stadiums rather than needing to be multi-use facilities. I don't think there'd be an increase in infighting for stadium slots. There could be a simple initial lottery, after which the slots continually rolled over. Alternatively, equal amounts could go into each teams stadium fund each year, and teams could choose when to pull that money out and have the stadium built once sufficient funds were built up.