Yankees set record with post season shares

The New York Yankees have set yet another record, imagine that. A full postseason share for the 2009 World Series Champions came in at a whopping $365,052.73. A full share for the National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies amounted to $265,357.50, according to Major League Baseball. The previous mark of $362,173.07 for a full share was held by the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals.

The players' pool for these post season shares are funded by 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first three games of the Division Series, as well as 60 percent of the gate receipts for both the first four games of the League Championship series and the World Series. These gate receipts were divided among 12 clubs; the World Series participants, the League Championship Series and Division Series runners-up, and the four regular season second-place clubs that were not Wild Card participants. The club-by-club breakdown is as follows:

World Series Champions
New York Yankees (Share of Players' Pool: $21,266,321.79; value of each full share: $365,052.73) – The Yankees awarded 46 full shares, 12.25 partial shares and 2 cash awards.

National League Champions
Philadelphia Phillies (Share of Players' Pool: $14,177,547.86; value of each full share: $265,357.50) – The Phillies awarded 45 full shares, 8.35 partial shares and 3 cash awards.

League Championship Series Runners-Up
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim* (Share of Players' Pool: $7,088,773.93; value of each full share: $138,038.51) – The Angels awarded 43 full shares, 7.995 partial shares and 14 cash awards.
Los Angeles Dodgers (Share of Players' Pool: $7,088,773.93; value of each full share: $102,619.91) – The Dodgers awarded 59 full shares, 10 partial shares and 4 cash awards.

Division Series Runners-Up
Boston Red Sox (Share of Players' Pool: $1,772,193.48; value of each full share: $28,263.28) – The Red Sox awarded 42 full shares, 17.839 partial shares and 64 cash awards.
Colorado Rockies (Share of Players' Pool: $1,772,193.48; value of each full share: $32,141.43) – The Rockies awarded 41 full shares, 14.075 partial shares and 1 cash award.
Minnesota Twins (Share of Players' Pool: $1,772,193.48; value of each full share: $37,993.26) – The Twins awarded 38 full shares, 7.5 partial shares and 20 cash awards.
St. Louis Cardinals (Share of Players' Pool: $1,772,193.48; value of each full share: $29,446.60) – The Cardinals awarded 48 full shares, 10.18 partial shares and 10 cash awards.

Second-Place Finishers (Non-Wild Card Clubs)
Chicago Cubs (Share of Players' Pool: $590,731.16; value of each full share: $8,261.97) – The Cubs awarded 58 full shares and 13.5 partial shares.
Detroit Tigers (Share of Players' Pool: $590,731.16; value of each full share: $11,137.62) – The Tigers awarded 42 full shares, 9.33 partial shares and 11 cash awards.
Florida Marlins (Share of Players' Pool: $590,731.16; value of each full share: $10,424.45) – The Marlins awarded 49 full shares, 7.28 partial shares and 7 cash awards.
Texas Rangers (Share of Players' Pool: $590,731.16; value of each full share: $9,276.38) – The Rangers awarded 58 full shares, 5.25 partial shares and 4 cash awards.

* The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the American League Championship Series runners-up, voted a full share for the estate of Nick Adenhart.

2009 NFL Draft Recap

A few things I think I think, but let's start with something I don't think.

1. I don't think Brett Ratliff was simply a throw-in in the Jets-Browns-Sanchez trade. Even though Abram Elam was a key to the trade getting done, Ratliff reuniting with Mangini means there will be some serious action regarding the Derek Anderson-Brady Quinn situation in Cleveland, either in August due to injury somewhere or next year at draft time.

2. I think Brandon Tate, WR, North Carolina, was not only a great pick for the NE Patriots, even though he'll more than likely not play until 2010 due to injury, but I think, if my memory serves, he became the Brett Farve pick. I think the Packers traded Favre to the Jets last year for a 4th round pick, that became a 3rd rounder based on Favre taking more than 50% of the snaps last year for the Jets. The Packers then traded that pick to New England to get into the first round to take USC LB Clay Matthews at pick #26, which the Patriots had acquired from the Baltimore Ravens when they moved up to #23 take Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi, with their first pick.

3. I don't think Kevin Bacon has anything on Brett Favre in degrees of separation.

4. I think if I were a betting man, speaking of Brett Favre, I would bet the house that Brett Favre is the starting QB for the Minnesota Vikings next year.

5. I think I think too much about this stuff.

6. I think I love that my Baltimore Ravens selected an East Carolina Pirate, TE, Damon Drew, in the 5th Round.

7. I think the Cleveland Browns took one pick and turned it into 7 players; a QB, 2 DBs, 2 DEs, a RB, and a C . The pick was #5 overall, the one they traded to the Jets who took Mark Sanchez. In return they got (a) the Jets 1st rounder (#17 overall), (b) a 2nd rounder (#52), (c) a QB, (d) a DB, and (e) a DE. They traded (a) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who picked QB Josh Freeman, for (f) a 1st rounder (#19) and (g) a 6th rounder (#191). They traded (f) to the Philadelphia Eagles, who took WR Jeremy Maclin, for (h) a 1st rounder (#21) and (i) a 6th rounder (#195).

a+f+h) C Alex Mack

b) DE David Veikun

c) QB Brett Ratliff

d) DB Abram Elam

e) DE Kenyon Coleman

g) CB Coye Francies

i) RB James Davis

8. I think maybe I should change number 3 to 'Kevin Bacon doesn't have anything on Mark Sanchez...'

9. I think the NFL Draft should be held in alternating cities around the country, well maybe not Oakland.

10. I think NFL Training Camps open in less than 3 months.

11. I think that's all for now, until next time.

Rule 3 - General Contract Rules

Contract Eligibility
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The following types of players are eligible to sign professional contracts:

1. Reserved/Drafted players - May be signed only by the club holding the player's rights (players may only be drafted subject to the High School, College, and JuCo Rules).

2. Undrafted Free Agents - Players who were previously eligible for the draft, have not previously signed a professional contract, and are residents of U.S. or Canada (U.S. includes all U.S. territories).

3. International Free Agents - International players who are not subject to the HS, College, or JuCo Rules, and are:

a. at least 17 years old at the time of signing, or
b. 16 at the time of signing but will be 17 by the end of the first season for which he signs.

4. Free Agents/Minor League Free Agents - Players released or non-tendered by other teams.


High School Rules
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• No U.S. or Canadian high school student can sign a professional contract while still eligible to participate in high school athletics.

• If a player drops out of high school prior to expiration of such eligibility, he must sit out 1 year before prior to signing a professional contract.

• A player may be signed prior to his high school graduation if he is eligible by age, has completed the maximum number of semesters of attendance, or he has played the maximum number of seasons he is eligible to play. Such a contract may not obligate the player to report prior to graduation.


College Rules
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• A U.S. or Canadian college player cannot be signed from the time he attends his first class until his class graduates, with certain exceptions:

o Exceptions (these players may apply to become eligible):

 Players who are 21 years old within 45 days of the draft and are between school years;
 Players who have completed their junior year and are between school years;
 Players who have exhausted their collegiate athletic eligibility;
 Players excused from their teams for scholastic reasons;
 Players withdrawing from college after sitting out 120 days.

o Players seeking to be eligible under these exceptions must apply to the Commissioner, and all teams must be notified if the player gains eligibility.

• Seniors may be signed/drafted immediately after the completion of his final class. A fifth-year senior who was undrafted after his 4th year may be signed between the time his baseball season ends and the draft. If he is unsigned, he shall re-enter the draft.

• NCAA and NAIA Tournaments – a player whose team is participating in the NCAA or NAIA tournament may not sign until the day after his team is eliminated.


JuCo Rules
______________________________________________________

• A JuCo player not selected in the prior draft may not be signed during from the time he attends his first class until after the completion of the next Rule 4 draft.


Uniform Contracts
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• All contracts shall be in the form proscribed by the CBA.

• Minor League contracts for first time professionl players shall be seven minor league seasons in length.

• Minor league contracts for players who have previously signed pro contracts may not exceed seven years in length.

• Approval of the Commissioner is required for contracts which differ from uniform contracts.

• No performance bonuses shall be based on pitching skill, batting skill or team standings.

• The contracts of recently drafted player may not be assigned to another team for a period of one year from the original date of the contract.

• First year players must be given at least a 15-day trial period before being cut.

• The minimum slalary for players at each level shall be estbalished by the Commissioner's Office.

• Signing bonuses may be paid in installments for up to 5 years if the contracting player is a "two way player" with legitmate potential to become a professional athlete in another sport (as determined by the Commisioner).

• Players may contract to receive contingent bonuses for remaining on a roster or remaining active for more than a given number of days at certain levels.

• Teams may offer scholarship plan bonuses to players who enroll in college, and the team will generally be required to honor these scholarships even if the player is released.

• A player must report to a team within 24 hours of signing.

• Contract must be filed with commissioner within 20 days of signature.

• Any contract in violation of the rules shall be null and void.


Contact and Tryouts
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• Clubs may contact unsigned players at any time to discuss a career in baseball, but may NOT influence students to withdraw from school.

• Teams may hold try outs in accordance with the following regulations:

o High school students may attend tryouts during summer vacation or one week prior to the draft. Also, high school students may attend tryouts during the school year with permission from the school principal, but such tryouts must be limited to a maximum of 5 high school students (unless within 30 days of the draft, in which case there is no limit to the number of students).
o College and JuCo players may try out during summer vacation, but not during the season. However, teams are free to observe players in collegiate competition as often as they like.
o Teams may not pay for tryouts or reimburse amateur players for expenses incurred while attending tryouts. However, teams may pay for the expenses of drafted players who have not yet signed to travel to a tryout, provided that the visit is no longer than 48 hours. Also a team may reimburse international free agents for ground travel expenses to a tryout or air travel expenses to the Dominican Republic or Venezuela.


Tendering Contracts
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• MLB players must be tendered contracts for the next season prior to December 20 or they become free agents.

• MLB players on inactive lists need not be tendered contracts until removed from inactive lists.

• Between the Rule 5 Draft and January 15, a team must tender a contract to its minor league players. A salary addendum must be tendered to active players prior to March 1.

• Tampering – a team shall not entice players with contract negotiations until the team reserves that player’s rights.

Rule 2 - Player Limits and Reserved Lists

Reserve List
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On November 20, each major league club shall file major league and minor league reserve lists with the Commissioner's Office. The major league reserve list (the 40-man roster) must include all players under major league contract or who have been promoted to major league status to be tendered a major league contract that off-season. The club must also file a minor league reserve list for each affiliate, containing all players under minor league contract or players who have been outrighted to the minor leagues. Minor league affiliates are also required to each file reserve lists including all players under contract of that affiliate.

The Commissioner's Office shall continuously maintain and update the reserve lists by recording all transactions and making them available to clubs through electronic communications. All clubs are required to notify the Commissioner's Office immediately of all changes to the reserve lists. Such reserve list changes will not take effect until approved by the Commissioner.

Except for outright assignments or the addition of free agents, minor league reserve lists may not be amended during the time period from November until the Rule 5 Draft. No player on a reserve list shall be eligible to play or negotiate with another team until that player is removed from the reserved list.

Reserve List Limits:

• MLB: 40
• AAA: 38
• AA: 37
• A: 35 per affiliate
• Rookie: 35 per affiliate

Active List
________________________________________________________

Each major league club must maintain an active list for each of its affiliates with the Commissioner's Office. The active list may only include players on that major league club's reserved list. The active list must include all players who are eligible to play in games for each affiliate. Active lists must initially be filed at least one hour before the start of the first game of the season. An optional player who is recalled shall not be counted until the player physically reports to the recalling club.

Active List limits:

• MLB: 25 from opening day until midnight on August 31, then 40
• AAA: 24
• AA: 24
• A: 25 per affiliate
• Short-Season A: 30 per affiliate, 25 of whom may be in uniform per game
• Rookie: 35 per affiliate, 30 of whom may be in uniform per game

Inactive Lists
________________________________________________________

Major League Disabled List

A player who is unable to render services because of injury or ailment may be placed on the disabled list. To place a player on the DL, the club must apply to the league. The application must be accompanied by a standard form diagnosis signed by a physician. The club must designate either the 15-day or 60-day DL (corresponding to the minimum period a player must remain on the list). There is no limit on the number of players that may be placed on the DL.

• 15 Day DL: If placed on the 15-day DL before the start of the season, a player must serve at least 6 days on the DL. Players on this list count against the Reserve List limit but not against the Active List limit. The club physician must re-certify the injury once a player becomes eligible to come off the DL, and every 15 days thereafter.

• 60 Day DL: A player may not be placed on the 60-day DL unless the team’s 40-man roster is full at 40 players. Players on this list do not count against the Reserve List or Active List limits. No re-certification of injuries is required for players on the 60-day DL.
Minor League Disabled List

Players unable to render services because of a specific injury. There are two lists:

• Regular DL: 7-day minimum. Players on this list counts against Reserve List limits but not the Active List limits.

• Emergency DL: 60-day minimum. Players on this list shall not count against the Reserve List limits or the Active List limits.

• Rehab: A minor league player on rehab assignment while on the DL shall count against the Reserve List limit of the assigning club, but not against the limits of the club that he is assigned to.

Major League Bereavement List

Major League players may be placed on the bereavement list due to a severe illness or death in the player’s or his spouse’s immediate family. The minimum period is 3 days, the maximum is 7 days. Players on this list are counted towards Reserve List limits but not Active List limits.

Rule 1 - Circuits

Conditions to Relocate to Another Club’s Territory
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• In order to relocate to another club’s home territory, a major league club must comply with four conditions:

o It must notify the club whose territory it wishes to move to prior to October 31 of the preceeding year.
o It shall satisfy the Commissioner of the long-term viability of the club in its new territory.
o The stadiums of the two clubs may not be located within five miles of one another unless both clubs agree otherwise.
o The moving club shall pay the first club a sum of money deemed appropriate by the Commissioner.

• In no event shall any home territory house more than two MLB clubs.

• Home territories are defined in Article VIII, Section 8 of the Major League Constitution.

Jay Cutler trade thoughts

My first thoughts upon hearing of the Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears trade details were that it sure did seem like an awful lot for a Quarterback with a 17-20 career record and that the Broncos would certainly be laughing all the way to Radio City Music Hall on April 25th. Two first round picks, a 3rd Rounder, and a capable NFL starting quarterback in Kyle Orton, who seems to keep getting better year after year for a guy who’s passer rating was 16th or so in the league and has never been to the playoffs. Only after these draft picks have been made, and the careers of all of the players involved have run its course, will we have the true answer. But as I analyzed the trade in a little more detail, it might not seem as lopsided at first glance.

After first comparing the stats and careers of Cutler and Orton, I started by looking at the ‘NFL Draft Value Chart,’ made famous years ago by Jimmy Johnson during his tenure in Dallas. When considering trading draft picks, this value chart has become the standard by which most, if not all, General Managers and Directors of Player Personnel use to gauge the relative value of each draft pick throughout the seven round draft. The Chicago Bears traded their first round pick this year, #18 overall, their first round pick in 2010, and this year’s third round pick, #84 overall, along with their starting QB Kyle Orton, a 4th Round pick in 2005 and #106 overall. Now, I have taken the assumption that the Bears, a 9-7 team a year ago, will make the playoffs next year now that they have the franchise Quarterback they’ve been missing for 30 years.

So with that in mind, here’s the ‘math,’ according to the value chart. The #18 pick this year is worth 900 points, the 3rd rounder is worth 170, and an average playoff finish next year by the Bears would equate to a 25th overall pick and would be worth 720 points. This totals 1,790 points (900 + 170 + 720 = 1,790) or just short of a number 4 overall pick. Now, if you add in Kyle Orton, a former 4th rounder worth 82 points, factor in 300 points or so for his 4-5 years of experience you have what works out to be approximately 2,200 points or a #3 overall selection.

Now Cutler was drafted #11 overall in 2006, and given his progress to date and his pure physical talent, I think you could argue that he is definitely worth a #3 overall selection. Had the 2006 draft been done over with what we know now, I’m pretty sure that the Tennessee Titans would’ve chosen Jay Cutler over Vince Young with the #3 overall selection in a heartbeat.

So there you have it, a little more analytical way to look at the Cutler deal. I still think the Broncos still have the edge in this one, just from a sheer number of quality players standpoint, but it’s definitely not as one-sided as it may look. But as with all trades, only time will tell who got the better of this blockbuster deal, but it’ll be fun second guessing it for years to come.

DOTM (Definition of the Month)

NFL Performance Based Pay System

Performance-based pay was created as part of the NFL’s 2002 Collective Bargaining Agreement Extension with the NFL Players Association. Under this system, a fund is setup to supplement player compensation based on a comparison of playing time to their salary, thus alleviating some of the disparity for players whose playing time is disproportionate to their compensation. These payouts do not count towards a team’s salary cap.

Players become eligible to receive performance-based pay in any regular season in which they play at least one official down. Under the system, performance-based pay is computed by using a “Player Index.” To produce a player’s index, a player’s regular-season playing time; total number of plays on offense, defense, and special teams is then divided by his adjusted regular-season compensation; to include full-season salary, prorated portion of signing bonus, and earned incentives. Each player’s index is then compared to those of the other players on his team to determine the amount of his pay.

Last year, nearly $99 million was distributed to players in performance-based pay for the 2007 season. That year, the highest payment was $309,534, earned by Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Wille Colon. Approximately $105 million was distributed to players in the system for their performance during the 2008 playing season with the highest payout of $405,859 going to yet another offensive tackle, San Diego Chargers 2006 6th Round draft pick Jeromey Clary.

The top performance based payouts for the 2008 season:

Jeromey Clary, Chargers OT, $405,859
Lyle Sendlein, Cardinals C, $348,134
Chris Horton, Redskins SS, $342,197
Carl Nicks, Saints G, $335,033
Brandon McDonald, Browns CB, $329,803
Uche Nwaneri, Jaguars G, $323,788
Michael Johnson, Giants FS, $315,650
Charles Godfrey, Panthers FS, $311,294
Darnell Stapleton, Steelers G, $311,220
Donald Penn, Buccaneers OT, $310,919

In 2009, the performance-based pay fund will be approximately $3.5 million per team, which is a 5 percent increase over the 2008 fund. This program will stay in place through the remaining years of the CBA in which a salary cap exists.

Welcome

Hello, and welcome to the Front Office Guide, a fan’s guide to information and discussion surrounding the happenings ‘off the field’ in professional sports We’ll be discussing all of the dealings of the front offices of Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Basketball Association, and National Hockey League teams. We’ll talk contracts, trades, drafts, player movement, General Managers, agents, collective bargaining agreements, sports business, and much, much more across all four of the major sports leagues.

Several distinct features will be available here as well. This includes a monthly calendar, to keep track of the major events in each sport from free agency and trade deadlines to draft and reporting dates. We’ll also have a ‘Definition of the Month,’ or ‘DOTM,’ where we’ll not only explain several front office functions, but we’ll take a detailed look how and why those maneuvers are made, complete with real life examples. We’ll define and discuss things such as salary pools, draft pick compensation, Rule V, Group Five, Exclusive Rights, mid-level exceptions and more.

I hope you find things both informative and stimulating. Thank you for visiting and I look forward to your posts.