Doh’s Rule for Contracts
I’ve PM’d with a few owners about this and think it’s an interesting topic. My basic thinking is in line with Bill Bellichick. I’d rather lose a good player a year too early than hold onto a guy a year too long. I have some fairly strict contact rules I’ve given myself from experience.
— Never more than 5 years.
I didn’t follow this with the Gale and Tamburrino extensions and it’s killed me. Unless you have a superstar under the age of 26, I think there’s a giant risk in giving very long deals to guys especially starting pitchers.
— No to Player Options/Opt Outs
I don’t like having a guy where he has the power. I try to avoid at all costs and only have given a few POs in my years as a GM.
— Yes to Team Options
A 4 (or better 3) year deal with a TO for another year is my ideal deal for most star players. I like having a TO to cover my ass if the guy goes to hell health or ratings wise. It also allows you to extend a guy a year earlier if you want to.
— Non-Tender Non-Elite
In this current FA market, you can get guys back way cheaper if they’re not an elite talent and they’re asking for a lot in arbitration. I’d rather just let guys walk and buy them, or similar, players back at a cheaper rate. The market is so flooded with players that it’s just not worth it to pay millions for average talent.
— Let them go
If it’s an average or slightly above average player, I’d rather not extend them vs. have to give guaranteed money. I’m very OK with letting guys walk in FA especially older players who are platoon or solid starters.
— Careful with SPs
SPs can fall off a cliff. Especially those who have thrown a ton of innings. They are hard to find and cost a premium but I’ve seen way too many SPs with huge contracts who couldn’t pitch anymore and still due tens of millions.
— Flexibility vs. Savings
My opinion has always been I’d rather have flexibility long term against maybe saving on someone buying out arb. I’ve had players go into the shitter during their arb years and wish I just could non-tender them vs. the deals I signed that I thought would save money. I have been burned by having to pay extra not extending early, but my opinion is that’s OK because if you pay a lot for top talent, it’s worth it.
— Never extend until last year of contract
I broke this for Kang and it may kill me. I don’t think there’s a reason to extend most players until they are in their last contract year especially once they hit 30.