ESPN: Stark on the Next CBA

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14214254/what-awaits-negotiations-major-league-baseball-next-labor-deal

Once again four years ago, owners and players formed a committee to study the feasibility of an international draft. Once again, it turned out to be not really feasible. So instead, they implemented a new international signing pool for each team, with what they thought would be heavy penalties for clubs that went over their soft pool allotment. Four years later, pretty much everyone agrees that, hoo boy, did that ever not work.

Between huge bonuses for several Cuban players who were exempt from the pool, large-market teams that didn't view tax penalties as much of an impediment and even whispers of funny business by teams intent on circumventing the system, those rules didn't A) keep bonuses in line or B) make the international market any more equitable. So here we go again. Ready for another blue-ribbon committee to study that international draft? Here it comes, in 3-2-1.

www.MASNSorts.com also did a column on this.

As detrimental as it would be to my Cubs, something probably should be done. Thus far the Dodgers have spent 88M on international prospects for the July 2nd 2015 to June 2016 session. That's a session that still includes lots of high quality talents like Vladimir Gutierrez,Norge Ruiz,Lazarito Armenteros,Yasiel Sierra, etc etc. Once things are said and done, the Dodgers will likely have spent more on their international talent than all but about 10 teams will have on their entire 25 man rosters.

This is more of an owner vs owner situation then an owners vs union affair.

I guess the small market teams will team up with the MLBPA to try and limit the spending.

Really wish they'd get a salary cap.

Really wish they'd get a salary cap.

Really?

The NFL has one and has huge signing bonuses and non-guaranteed contracts.

The NBA has one and expiring contracts are now more valuable then actual players.

The NHL has one and the owners keep laying the screws on the players.

Salary caps are not about competitive balance, they are about limiting payroll.

Really?

The NFL has one and has huge signing bonuses and non-guaranteed contracts.

The NBA has one and expiring contracts are now more valuable then actual players.

The NHL has one and the owners keep laying the screws on the players.

Salary caps are not about competitive balance, they are about limiting payroll.

Yeah, it doesn't make it fair. It just makes it cheaper for the bosses. For instance, a fair way to handle it is to suspend the Dodgers 25 man for the season. With pay. For violating the spirit, if not the letter of the international slotting.

Really?

The NFL has one and has huge signing bonuses and non-guaranteed contracts.

The NBA has one and expiring contracts are now more valuable then actual players.

The NHL has one and the owners keep laying the screws on the players.

Salary caps are not about competitive balance, they are about limiting payroll.

Let's not forget the biggest problem with the NBA. The best players all trying to get together to end up on the same teams. If everyone offers the same money there's no incentive to go to lower tier teams.

Let's not forget the biggest problem with the NBA. The best players all trying to get together to end up on the same teams. If everyone offers the same money there's no incentive to go to lower tier teams.

The idea that an expiring contract is more valuable then an actually player bugs me more then it. Sometimes NBA players will actually take less for a chance at a ring. I kinda respect that.