The New Math (I’ll gladly pay Justin Turner today not Bogaerts in 9 years)

[mikcou]

Are we reaching a point in the next CBA where there are length of contract restrictions?

I'd be pretty surprised. Why would the players go for something that they think has value for them? And why would small market owners care about that issue as compared to things like arbitration, minimum salaries, and general spending caps.

I dont see an alignment of many parties on the owner side who would care enough to make a stink about it and the players would definitely ask (rightfully so) for significant changes to their benefit to institute a max length contract.

 

[HangingW/ScottCooper]

I'd be pretty surprised. Why would the players go for something that they think has value for them? And why would small market owners care about that issue as compared to things like arbitration, minimum salaries, and general spending caps.

I dont see an alignment of many parties on the owner side who would care enough to make a stink about it and the players would definitely ask (rightfully so) for significant changes to their benefit to institute a max length contract.

It would be a bargaining chip, nothing more. Perhaps offset by the pre-arbitration pool seeing an increase or something along those lines. The ultimate goal being to pay players when they're actually performing.

 

[mikcou]

It would be a bargaining chip, nothing more. Perhaps offset by the pre-arbitration pool seeing an increase or something along those lines. The ultimate goal being to pay players when they're actually performing.

Sure, but what owner would want to make that trade? Big markets want the flexibility to do long deals if they like. Small markets arent going to like larger arbitration pools. That was my point above - its one of those things that isnt that big deal at the outset so not having a large group of owners who want it seems like a death sentence once the union starts asking for significant concessions for a cap.