Understanding Free Agent Compensation
By Administrator | November 23, 2009
The free agency period is now upon us, so we have been hearing lots of talk about Type-A and Type-B free agents and draft pick compensation… and the discussion leaves some people wondering what is all means.
For those of you who think you need an abacus to figure it all out, let’s see if I can help simplify it a little bit for you.
For the sake of discussion, let’s say the Red Sox sign John Lackey… and let’s say they lose Jason Bay to the Mariners and sign Jermaine Dye to fill the void left when Bay leaves. The question begs: which teams would get what compensation, and why?
(NOTE: all three players mentioned are Type-A free agents)
Through collective bargaining, Major League Baseball and the MLBPA have agreed on a statistical formula for ranking free agents in order to determine which free agents require compensation and which free agents don’t require compensation. The parties have agreed that the calculations will be based on the statistics each player has compiled over the last two years. Elias Sports Bureau makes the calculations and ranks the players overall and by position.
Position groupings are as follows:
* Catchers
* Designated hitters, first basemen and outfielders
* Second basemen, third basemen and shortstops
* Starting pitchers
* Relief pitchers.
Hitters are ranked based on the following statistics:
Plate appearances, batting average, on-base percentage, HR and RBI
Fielding percentage and assists (for catchers)
Fielding percentage and total chances (for 2B, 3B, and SS)
Pitchers are ranked based on the following:
Starters: starts, innings pitched, wins, winning percentage, ERA and strikeouts
Relievers: appearances, innings pitched, wins plus saves, ERA, hits per nine innings pitched and strikeout/walk ratio
Players who are ranked in the top twenty percent of their group are designated Type A free agents… those who place between 21% - 40% are designated as Type B.
Clubs only receive compensation for a Type A or B free agent if they offered their former player the opportunity for salary arbitration.
When a team loses a Type A free agent, they receive the signing team’s first-round draft pick and a supplemental first-round pick in the following year’s draft unless the signing team is picking in the first half of the first round, in which case the team losing the player receives a supplemental pick plus the signing team’s second-round draft pick.
When a team loses a Type B free agent, they receive only the sandwich pick.
If a team signs multiple Type A free agents, the club that lost the higher-ranking player gets the better pick. In other words, if the Red Sox were to sign John Lackey and Jermaine Dye, then the Angels would receive the Red Sox first-round pick (as Lackey is ranked higher than Dye) and the ChiSox would receive the Red Sox second-round pick. Both the Angels and the White Sox would also receive a supplemental pick.
Of course, in the scenario I laid out above, the Red Sox would receive Seattle’s first-round pick (the Mariners had the 14th-best record in baseball) plus a supplemental pick, for losing Jason Bay.
In the long run, the Sox would lose Bay and their second-round pick… on the other hand, they would end up with both Lackey and Dye while also improving their first-round pick ten spots.
NOTE: Jason Bay and Billy Wagner are the Sox Type-A free agents… Jason Varitek is a Type-B free agent. Takashi Saito was a Type-A free agent but the Red Sox lost the right to collect compensation for him when they dropped him off the 40-man roster after the end of the season.
Topics: Miscellaneous | No Comments »
This Day In Red Sox History: November 23, 1990
By Administrator | November 23, 2009
Material for This Day In Red Sox History is drawn from Bill Nowlin’s “Day by Day with the Boston Red Sox”
Former Red Sox catcher Bo Diaz was killed at his home in Caracas, Venezuela… Diaz was on the roof of his home trying to adjust a satellite dish when it came loose and fell on him.
Topics: Sox History, Sox Players | No Comments »
This Day In Baseball History: November 23rd
By Administrator | November 23, 2009
In 1964, future Hall-of-Famer Warren Spahn was purchased by the NY Mets from the Braves… in addition to serving on the club’s coaching staff, the crafty southpaw posted a 4-12 record (in 20 appearances).
In 1971, Bill Virdon was named to replace the retiring Danny Murtaugh as the manager of the world champion Pirates… Murtaugh eventually returned to the Pittsburgh dugout during the 1973 season to replace his replacement.
In 1977, the NY Yankees signed free-agent fireballer Rich Gossage to a six-year 2.75 million dollar contract… “The Goose” recorded 26 saves with a 1.26 ERA for the Pirates the previous season.
In 1988, 2B Steve Sax left the World Champion LA Dodgers when he signed a three-year deal with the NY Yankees.
Born Today: Luis Tiant (1940), Brook Jacoby (1959), David McCarty (1969)
Topics: MLB History | No Comments »
This Day In Red Sox History: November 22, 1928
By Administrator | November 22, 2009
Material for This Day In Red Sox History is drawn from Bill Nowlin’s “Day by Day with the Boston Red Sox”
The Red Sox purchased pitcher Bill Bayne from the Cleveland Indians… he would win five games for the Sox in 1929.
Topics: Sox History, Sox Players | No Comments »
This Day In Baseball History: November 22nd
By Administrator | November 22, 2009
In 1890, the Philadelphia Athletics were expelled from the American Association for violating the league’s constitution… a new team is placed in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ and franchises were also awarded to Boston, Washington and Chicago.
In 1908, in the first game between a Japanese and an American professional team, the Reach All-Americans defeated Waseda University in Tokyo, 5-0.
In 1954, the Pittsburgh Pirates purchased the contract of OF Roberto Clemente from Montreal, the Dodgers’ AAA farm club.
In 1957, in a controversial vote, Yankees OF Mickey Mantle edged out Red Sox superstar Ted Williams to win the American League MVP… in spite of the fact the ‘Splendid Splinter’ leading the league with a .388 average, 38 home runs, and a stunning .731 slugging percentage, two Chicago writers listed him in the ninth and tenth places on their ballots.
In 1961, Frank Robinson won the National League MVP, garnering 219 of a possible 224 points.
In 1967, Rod Carew won the American League Rookie of the Year Award, receiving 19 of 20 first place votes… the Twins’ second baseman easily outdistanced Reggie Smith of the Red Sox.
In 1972, Johnny Bench won his second National League MVP award in three years.
In 1977, Expos outfielder Andre Dawson (.282, 19 HR, 65 RBI) won the National League Rookie of the Year Award by a single vote over the Mets’ Steve Henderson (.297, 12 HR, 65 RBI).
In 1978, Detroit 2B Lou Whitaker (.285, 3 HR, 58 RBI) won the American League Rookie of the Year, easily beating out Milwaukee 2B Paul Molitor.
In 1982, Steve Sax became the fourth consecutive Dodgers player to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award, following Rick Sutcliffe, Steve Howe, and Fernando Valenzuela.
In 1984, Seattle 1B/DH Alvin Davis (.284, 27 HR, 116 RBI) won the American League Rookie of the Year Award, easily outdistancing teammate Mark Langston and Twins OF Kirby Puckett.
In 2004, at a lunch time celebration at Union Station, the recently relocated Washington NL franchise announced its new name, logo and colors… using the official original name of the district’s team which used the nickname the Senators from 1901-56, the club clad in red, white, blue and gold would be known as the Nationals.
Born Today: Greg Luzinski (1950), Mike Benjamin (1965), Joe Nathan (1974)
Topics: MLB History | No Comments »
Will Decision By Cuban Defector Diminish Red Sox Chances Of Signing Him?
By Administrator | November 21, 2009
If you have never heard of Aroldis Chapman, or if you have only heard dribs and drabs about him, then you had better get ready - because over the course of the next few weeks and months you are going to hear an awful lot about him.
I first read about him last spring while preparing for one of my fantasy baseball auctions. The rules in one of my leagues provides for a reserve roster and permits team owners to acquire ANY player for its reserve roster, including players from the NL (notably, those who may become free agents), collegiate baseball and international baseball.
I googled the word “defect” and the phrase “Cuban baseball players” and up popped the name Aroldis Chapman - time after time. Various reports said he is a left-hander who can throw 100 miles an hour. As you might imagine, the reports were intriguing… the only question was how long he would last in the reserve draft. I wanted him, but there are a couple of other guys in the league who likewise are enamored of acquiring hidden gems from overseas - players who can be controlled at low salaries for several years (Daisuke Matsuzaka was acquired in this manner).
I passed on Chapman in Round One - selecting Red Sox 1B prospect Lars Anderson instead. I wanted Chapman in Round Two… but by the time my selection came around again, he was already drafted.
Chapman, 22, is frequently described as a “phenom”. He’s much younger than some of the other high-profile free agent pitchers who have come to the US from Cuba. Jose Contreras was 31 when he came to the United States…Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez was 32. The pitcher who Chapman can be most closely compared to, in terms of age and “buzz” is Hernandez’ younger brother, Livan, who was just 21 years old when he arrived in the States.
Chapman defected from the Cuban national team while attending the 2009 World Port Tournament, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in July. While there he connected with Edwin Mejia, of Athletes Premier International, on the recommendation of a childhood friend of Chapman… soon thereafter, Mejia was serving as his agent.
Mejia took Chapman to Barcelona, Spain, where Chapman lived and trained throughout the remainder of the summer. The two men later moved to Andorra, a small principality on the border of France and Spain, where Chapman officially established residency… a week later, Major League Baseball awarded him status as a free-agent.
Last month, Mejia took Chapman to New York and Boston to begin the process of negotiating with interested ballclubs, including the Red Sox, Mets and Yankees. It is known the Red Sox have a keen interest in the southpaw… and many in Boston had hoped that Mejia (a native of Boston) might give the Red Sox some small advantage when wooing the hurler.
But Mejia has now switched agents, chossing to cut ties with Mejia — who has never represented a major leaguer — and instead securing the services of veteran agents Randy and Alan Hendricks. Red Sox fans remember the Borthers Hendricks — they formerly represented one-time Boston ace Roger Clemens.
Could Mejia’s presence in the process have provided the Sox with an advantage in signing Chapman? Probably not, but now we will never know. His departure certainly won’t help…
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Scouting Report on Chapman:
Height: 6′4″
Weight: 180 lbs
Tall… lean… long arms and legs… whippy body.
Repertoire: His 4-seam fastball regularly sits in the mid-90s but has been clocked as high as 102 mph; 2-seam fastball will generally hit 91-92; and he possesses a hard slider that registers in the low-80s with really good sink. He lacks a third pitch. Scouts say he does not have a “feel” for pitching… they consider his command to be below-average to average, despite the fact he repeats his delivery well, has smooth mechanics and creates velocity with easy arm action.
In spite of these shortcomings, scouts consider him the best left-handed pitching prospect in the world.
ESPN writer Buster Olney recently referred to Chapman “a left-handed Stephen Strasburg”.
Question: Is he REALLY just 21 years old?
Topics: Around Baseball | No Comments »
This Day In Red Sox History: November 21, 1927
By Administrator | November 21, 2009
Material for This Day In Red Sox History is drawn from Bill Nowlin’s “Day by Day with the Boston Red Sox”
Manager Bill Carrigan announced that he had selected Bradenton, Florida, as the Red Sox spring training home beginning in 1928.
Topics: Sox History, Sox Players | No Comments »
This Day In Baseball History: November 21st
By Administrator | November 21, 2009
In 1911, after a sixth place finish (76 -76), Hal Chase resigned as manager of the New York Highlanders (later, the Yankees)… he would remain a player with the club until traded in 1913.
In 1934, the NY Yankees purchased Joe DiMaggio from San Francisco (Pacific Coast League)… The Yankee Clipper would be one of three brothers to play in the major leagues.
In 1952, Dodger hurler Joe Black (15-4, 2.15) was selected as the National League’s Rookie of the Year, beating out Hoyt Wilhelm and Eddie Mathews.
In 1970, NY Mets’ outfielder Tommy Agee became the first non-pitcher to win a Gold Glove in each league… he also won the honor with the White Sox during his 1966 Rookie of the Year season.
In 1972, Carlton Fisk became the first unanimous choice for the American League’s Rookie of the Year Award.
Also in 1972, Mets southpaw Jon Matlack was selected as the NL Rookie of the Year… he was the second player in team history to win the award (Tom Seaver, 1967).
In 1983, Mets’ outfielder Darryl Strawberry broke the LA Dodgers’ four-year stronghold on the Rookie of the Year Award when he won the award… Rick Sutcliffe, Steve Howe, Fernando Valenzuela and Steve Sax had won the previous four awards.
In 2002, Major League Baseball announced the Expos would play approximately twenty-five percent of their home games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 2003.
In 2007, the LA Angels and free-agent Torii Hunter agree to a five-year deal reportedly worth $90 million.
In 2008, the Chicago White Sox reached a tentative agreement with 19 yo Cuban phenom Dayan Viciedo pending the outcome of a physical.
Born Today: Stan Musial (1920), Dick Schofield (1962), Ken Griffey Jr (1969)
Topics: MLB History | No Comments »
Sox Add Minor League Reliever Through Waivers
By Administrator | November 20, 2009
The Red Sox selected RHP Robert Manuel off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.
Manuel made his major league debut with the Cincinnati Reds this season after toiling for the Reds’ Louisville Bats (Triple-A) for much of the season… he was 3-4, 2.70, with 10 saves over 46 2/3 IP in the International League.
At the end of July, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for OF Wladimir Balentien… he then finished the season with Triple-A Tacoma (Pacific Coast League), where he went 1-1, 3.32, with four saves in 15 appearances.
Baseball America ranked Manuel as the Reds #27 prospect last winter… here are a couple of excerpts from their scouting report:
“When scouts watch Manuel pitch, they just shake their heads. He rears back and throws 88-90 mph fastballs at hitters who are looking for fastballs. Yet time after time, they walk back to the dugout disappointed. Scouts can’t explain it, but they can’t quibble with the results.”
“Manuel’s delivery is compact and he manages to hide the ball for a long time… his fastball seems to have a little hop to it at the plate, even if he lacks above-average velocity… he can spot (the fastball) to all four quadrants of the plate.”
Topics: Sox Players, SoxTransactions | 1 Comment »
Bay To Listen To Offers After Red Sox Exclusivity Period Expires
By Administrator | November 20, 2009
When midnight passed last night, Jason Bay became a ‘true’ free agent… he can now talk with any team that is interested in securing his services for the next several seasons.
The Sox and Bay’s agent, Joe Urbon, have been discussing a new contract for nearly a year… talks have ended abruptly on two occasions but the sides have continued to talk intermittently in the hope of reaching an agreement.
According to cnnsi.com, the left fielder rejected a four-year, $60 million contract offer from the Red Sox… published reports indicate he is seeking a five-year deal in the vicinity of $80 - $85 million.
According to Urbon, there is ample interest in Bay: “Without getting into numbers of clubs, there’s been… an ‘extraordinary’ level of interest. There hasn’t been any surprise in the clubs that have contacted us”.
Of negotiations with the Red Sox, Urbon said the talks have gone “no differently than they’ve gone over the past several months, since spring training. They’ve been candid and they’ve been direct… and based on what Theo (Epstein) and I have talked about, what he has said publicly, what I have said publicly, I have no doubt that dialogue will continue”.
It’s just that now Urbon will be MUCH busier… Urbon will be talking with a number of teams.
Bay hit .267, with 36 HR and 119 RBI for the Red Sox last season… if he is not re-signed there will be a huge hole in the middle of a Red Sox lineup that DH David Ortiz has already declared needs another power hitter IN ADDITION TO Bay.
Bay has said, on many occasions, that he has enjoyed his time in Boston and would like to return… but after the Red Sox failed to sign him by Opening Day last season it seemed a foregone conclusion that he would test the free agent waters.
Of course, Bay’s game seems particularly well-suited to playing in Boston — both offensively and defensively. If he takes the money and runs, it is possible he will live to regret that decision (a la Freddy Lynn and Bruce Hurst).
It says here that the Red Sox have blown the Bay negotiations up to this point… it will be interesting to see whether they can pull a rabbit from the hat this time around.
Topics: Sox Front Office, Sox Players, SoxTransactions | 1 Comment »
