BRASSWORLD Startup Document
Hello.
Corey and I would like to welcome you to the latest creation of BRASS-styled leagues- BRASSWORLD! Those of you already familiar with the other two BRASS leagues should find the constitution fairly familiar. Many, many things have been retained. Still there are differences, some quite important, and it is thus imperative that you read over the constitution thoroughly and ask Corey and I any questions you may have. For those of you new to the BRASS way of doing things you most certainly need to learn all you can from the constitution. Once again, please ask of us as many questions you feel you need to in order to begin comfortably.
This document is intended to be a "startup" document. There are specific items that are in place only at the league’s startup and this is intended to highlight and clarify them. It is also intended to serve as a timeline for league events on our way to the first month of play.
The most important aspect of this document will pertain to initial contracts. Initial contracts are being done differently than what is outlined in the constitution for two important reasons. Reason one was founded on the premise of creating a contractual framework that was challenging right from the start. The second reason relates to that of fairness. When Corey and I were putting together the initial outline of BRASSWORLD we realized that while it would work great for players with four or less years of experience on draft day it was unfair to players in other experience groups. The initial contract system outlined below rectifies that.
To fully use and understand the "Initial Contract Chart" you must first be referencing two other files included in the ZIP archive. These would be the "batter_groups" file and the "pitcher_groups" files. Both of these can be found in Excel format. These files have three important columns. The "Career" column refers to the career year a player is currently entering. The "ARB GRP" column refers to the arbitration group (see constitution for more info) that the players in Year Four belong to. An "X" or "N/A" in this column means arbitration does not apply to them. The codes in the "INITIAL" column reference those amounts found in the "Initial Contract Chart." Please note once again that "N/A" in this column means these players are not subject to this chart at startup. The codes in the "Initial" column come from a chart that is not unlike the arbitration tables found in the constitution. For startup purposes Corey and I expanded this concept to nine groups and further attempted to take into account for players who have historically preformed well defensively (1 or 2 regularly), appear clearly headed towards another 1 or 2 rating for the upcoming season or in the case of closers, registered 20 or more saves during the 2002 MLB season. Players who did achieve such things were "bumped up" a group.
Initial Contract Chart
Contract length in years ($ amounts represent TOTAL CONTACT value) |
|||||
Player Type |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
C3 |
$200,000 |
$500,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$4,000,000 |
$8,000,000 |
C2 |
$250,000 |
$650,000 |
$1,200,000 |
$4,000,000 |
$8,000,000 |
C1 |
$325,000 |
$800,000 |
$1,500,000 |
$4,000,000 |
$8,000,000 |
B3 |
$500,000 |
$1,250,000 |
$2,400,000 |
$4,000,000 |
$8,000,000 |
B2 |
$650,000 |
$1,600,000 |
$3,000,000 |
$5,000,000 |
$8,000,000 |
B1 |
$800,000 |
$2,000,000 |
$3,750,000 |
$6,200,000 |
$9,500,000 |
A3 |
$1,250,000 |
$3,100,000 |
$5,700,000 |
$9,200,000 |
$14,000,000 |
A2 |
$2,000,000 |
$5,000,000 |
$9,000,000 |
$14,000,000 |
$21,000,000 |
A1 |
$3,200,000 |
$8,000,000 |
$15,000,000 |
$24,000,000 |
$35,000,000 |
To utilize the chart simply look up a player…say Todd Helton. Helton is listed with an "A1" code. If you wanted to sign him to a 3 year contract it would cost you a total of $15,000,000, or $5,000,000 annually. Another example is Damian Miller who is listed as a B2. Say you only want Damian on a two year contract. That would cost you a total of $1,600,000 or $800,000 annually. For further information on annual payments and a splendid breakdown of cost increments please see Corey’s "initial_contracts" Excel file. One note here: these players will be listed as being on "I" contracts so as to differentiate them from "F" or free agent contracts. For clarification this means "I" contracts are not extendable (see the constitution).
Things to keep in mind: a) low grade players are quite pricey for longer contracts and b) high grade players are pricey no matter the contract length. The first point means you should be wary of long term contracts for players of questionable skill. The second point means you will need to seek balance in the players you draft and contracts you choose because of your $50,000,000 budget.
Players with 0-3 years are paid according to the amounts proscribed in the "Contracts" section, clause D of the constitution.
Players with exactly four career years fall into arbitration already J In the "batter_groups" and "pitcher_groups" files you will see an "ARB GRP" column. These groupings refer to the "Arbitration" section of the constitution. Within a month after the initial draft I will conduct arbitration for these four year players. When drafting these players keep in mind that there actual salary for the 2003 season as of the moment is undetermined. You may "buyout" their arbitration years as the constitution allows or they go to arbitration. [Note: normally there is a yearly option to release a player who’s in his first seven years. For the startup we are working under the assumption that all who are drafted are also being offered at least arbitration.} In the end there 2003 salary could be as low as $600,000 or as high as $1,000,000 if the player wins in arbitration, or $2,800,000 if the player is signed to a long-term contract.
A common question that may arise while you’re putting together whom you may wish to draft is this or just perusing the batter and pitcher files: What about guys who have played in the majors but missed 2002? Players like Rick Ankiel or Alex Escobar, for example? They will have their career year determined by Corey or I as quickly as possible after they are drafted. In the case of Ankiel he would be considered to be entering his fourth career year. Escobar would be considered to have not begun his major league career yet and would be paid $100,000 on a (MM) contract.
A further point that is the flip side of the previous paragraph is illustrated with these questions: "What if players who have previously played some time in the majors go undrafted? What is their future status?" Well in the case of Ankiel again, if he goes undrafted he would forever be subject to free agency for entering BRASSWORLD. The reason comes in that in previous MLB seasons he has achieved our league’s definition of being a major leaguer. Escobar would still be subject to the draft as he has yet to attain these thresholds. I refer you to the "Roster" section, clause E of the constitution.
The above has laid out the specifics of "Initial Contracts." This is the only time the chart above will ever be used. After the draft and players are signed it will be tossed away and never referenced again. That is why you will not find it in the constitution. It is intended to be a special creation for the league’s startup only.
Below is a timeline of when things will occur as we head toward the first month of play in April.
Get your Dues in ASAP. Yep, I’m nagging you already J They are $25 for the first season. These funds are critical for paying for the league website and for securing a league trophy. We may also have to pay for some graphical designs I want done. Also, get me your team names as soon as possible and pass along a division you desire to be in, if any.
As soon as we have 24 teams filled Corey and I will draw the draft order in some blind manner.
Thursday January 16th: Deadline for notifying the LD’s of your ballpark design for the 2003 season.
Friday January 17th: BRASSWORLD kicks off its Inaugural Draft via e-mail. The draft will be a "serpentine" draft. That is to say that we will reverse our order with each round. We will be attempting to make two picks per team per day up till a live draft day. It is very important that all managers be prepared and dutiful in checking their e-mails for these two weeks.
Saturday February 1st and Sunday February 2nd: Starting at 11AM EST on Saturday we will begin to finish off the BRASSWORLD Inaugural Draft in a live chat room. We at best will have 20 rounds left for these two days. We will be starting early and ending late. We don’t want to head into Sunday, but please bear in mind that we may have to. Please, please clear your schedules for the entirety of these days if at all possible. If it is not possible, be prepared to assemble draft lists for someone to make your selections for you.
Saturday February 22nd: Contract decisions for players with five or more years must be returned to the LDs.
Sunday February 23rd: Arbitration is conducted by one of or both LDs. Results posted to the league by the end of the evening.
March 30th: Trade deadline for first month’s games.
ASAP after March 30th: League statistician sends out the league files to all members for the first month’s play. The statistician should actually have the rosters assembled prior to March 30th, but must wait for any last minute trades that are made.
April 7th: Deadline for instructions and rotations to be sent out. We begin play!
Other things of note:
BRASSWORLD needs a Draft Conductor. The person who desires to be the initial draft conductor should have the dates outlined above cleared so he can be fully available. Also, the position is to be filled by a person who has the ability to monitor e-mail through the course of a day. Because this position is very critical to the league’s startup and includes a wider timeframe and assignment of duties then those specified in the constitution, Corey and I are bumping this position’s pay up to $3,000,000 for the first season only. Please notify Corey and I of your interest.
BRASSWORLD also needs a Website Coordinator. This is also a critical league position and needs to be filled by someone who has skill and/or desire to learn web creation. We don’t need someone to put up an ESPN site for us J but Corey and I expect someone who is technically knowledgeable, able to meet deadlines and can create things that may be of interest to all of us. BRASSWORLD will be paying for the league site and will provide you with all of the necessary password information for uploading files. Once again, please notify Corey and I of your interest.
Well, that should cover it. Learn the constitution. Study the "Initial Contract Chart." Scout players, make lists, pass along your team names to Corey and I and just generally enjoy getting ready for this important first season. BRASSWORLD, like any BRASS-styled league, is an ambitious creation. A central theme of the BRASS family of leagues is that of having a fun and enjoyable experience. To do that you need information and I hope I’ve provided much here in this document for you and in the constitution. If you still find you have more questions please pass them on to Corey and I. We will answer them and help you as much as we can.
Welcome aboard to BRASSWORLD! May your stay be long and enjoyable.
Sincerely,
Mark Lentz
Co-League Director
Owner, Taggart Titans