Adding a prospect signing bonus stipend

[Chicago D'backs GM (Greg)]

This is for discussion about a potential rule amendment to add a prospect signing bonus stipend above and beyond the salary cap of each team. It would theoretically be a few $M and only be used for signing prospects and IFA. Any money spent above the stipend amount would come off the signing teams salary cap. The idea behind the stipend would be to encourage more bidding and signing of prospects, while still allowing teams to utilize their full cap.

Obviously the teams that have saved cap space will still have an advantage in signing these players as they will be able to outspend the teams that only have the stipend to spend. Almost half the teams have over $30M of cap space left so the stipend probably will not cause a whole lot of inflation in signing bonuses as those teams would already be bidding against each other on prospects and IFAs.

I do like Dom's idea of starting the stipend after the initial prospect signing bonus period as I realize that some owners strategies may have had the IFAs in mind during the draft and subsequent FA periods.

Discuss...

[Tampa Bay Twins GM (Matthew)]

I'm all for it, just like in real baseball teams are given $2.9M to sign international free agents. While also given a draft allotment to sign draft picks. Both of those stipends to not count against the teams luxury tax, which is the closest thing the MLB has to a salary cap. We use it in a league I run and it has worked out pretty well.

[Colorado Royals GM (Matt)]

Agree with Matthew. It's worked well in that league, and I would echo Dom's idea that it should begin after initial MiLB period as people have strategized for that. (And that's coming from a guy without a lot of cap room, so that's about as unbiased an idea can get, haha).

[STL (Jimmy)]

I agree with the Matthews, and am on board. However I think you should be only limited to the Stipend, and that you can not exceed it and use Salary cap to cover the additional cost. If the league is to remain as competitive a possible, the salary cap should only be limited to mlb players, not extra signing bonus money.

[fantasyguru]

I think this is a fine idea, but teams will go way past that stipend bidding on prospects. Matthew and I alone I know will. What about raising it higher than 5M to say 8M? I have seen this in other leagues before and while we have plenty of cap now, that will change over the course of time with FA signings, trades, milb bidding and so on. As it was said, this is only a discussion and nothing is set in stone.

I disagree with what Jimmy said in that the salary cap should only be used for mlb players. We do have a healthy cap in here yes. Past history in these leagues tells me people will see it go quickly because that's 1 of the last things we will concern ourselves with is our cap.

There is nothing wrong with adding to the rulebook. As long as you don't change/add anything in season unless its absolutely necessary, than it's fine. This is just my opinion and trying to add to the conservation.

[STL (Jimmy)]

My only thinking with the cap Reid is the big contracts are now split between 15 teams and not 30, so there is more player volume to eat more cap space per team.

[fantasyguru]

Yes, that is true. What does that have to do with what were discussing?

[Tampa Bay Twins GM (Matthew)]

Are we adding a stipend for prospects from here on out or no?

[Chicago D'backs GM (Greg)]

We are, but I haven't had time to come up with all the details yet. It will be in place before the season starts.

[Tampa Bay Twins GM (Matthew)]

Sounds good was just double checking.