Quota System

[CubColtPacer]

Is it just me, or does anybody else wonder if the quota system is actually enforced? For example, we have DeRosa as a signing, and possibly Ramirez. The team is looking to add at least 2 starters through free agency (3 overall is their plan) and 2 bats-that's probably going to be 4 extra A/B signings, and that's exactly what they've been quoted as hopeful to do that. If they do all that, then they will be above the supposed quota-nobody in MLB is talking about that at all though, and the Cubs don't seem to be worried about it either. So, does anybody wonder if it actually is an enforced rule or not?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I do believe it is enforced, and what I've heard is that they're exploring to obtain either the big bat or the starter via a trade.

 

Edit: I also think there are separate limits on A's vs B's. I can't find any documentation of limits on B's, but I'm assuming they exist.

[CubColtPacer]

I do believe it is enforced, and what I've heard is that they're exploring to obtain either the big bat or the starter via a trade.

 

Edit: I also think there are separate limits on A's vs B's. I can't find any documentation of limits on B's, but I'm assuming they exist.

 

That might make more sense. They are talking though that they are going to get one of the Meche/Padilla/Lilly group-that's 1. Then they are going to add Marquis on top of that-that's 2. Of course, they are going to get their other starter through a trade.

 

As for bats, they are trying to sign Soriano-that's number 3. After that, they are rumored to be signing another outfielder to give some time off to both Jones and Murton-if this person is a B, that's number 4.

 

So that's 4 right there, and DeRosa makes 5, and Ramirez possibly makes 6.

 

I haven't heard of differentiation between A's and B's as far as the quota goes-anybody have anymore info?

[Rob]

I'm wondering if this quota system is even in the new CBA. I haven't heard anything about it either way... but the way Hendry is going about his business suggests to me that either he doesn't know about the system or it's been disbanded.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I do believe it is enforced, and what I've heard is that they're exploring to obtain either the big bat or the starter via a trade.

 

Edit: I also think there are separate limits on A's vs B's. I can't find any documentation of limits on B's, but I'm assuming they exist.

 

That might make more sense. They are talking though that they are going to get one of the Meche/Padilla/Lilly group-that's 1. Then they are going to add Marquis on top of that-that's 2. Of course, they are going to get their other starter through a trade.

 

As for bats, they are trying to sign Soriano-that's number 3. After that, they are rumored to be signing another outfielder to give some time off to both Jones and Murton-if this person is a B, that's number 4.

 

So that's 4 right there, and DeRosa makes 5, and Ramirez possibly makes 6.

 

I haven't heard of differentiation between A's and B's as far as the quota goes-anybody have anymore info?

 

My guess is that the signing priority will be 2 big bats, hoping to land 2 of Drew, Soriano, and Carlos Lee. Priority #2 will be to sign a #3 quality starter (they probably view Marquis or Meche to be that guy) and then to trade for another (Westbrook or Lee). I think if they miss out on at least 2 of those 3 bats, they'll turn toward a Tejada deal or something of the sort.

[JeffH]

I haven't heard of differentiation between A's and B's as far as the quota goes-anybody have anymore info?

 

In the old CBA, there was no differentiation.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I haven't heard of differentiation between A's and B's as far as the quota goes-anybody have anymore info?

 

In the old CBA, there was no differentiation.

 

That's correct. I was stuck thinking A's + B's vs C's. C's had no limits, but they no longer exist.

[CubFanPhilly]

It's possible it was dropped in the new CBA, but MLB and the MLBPA released detailed descriptions of the modifications and did not mention any changes to the quota system.

 

However...

 

1) We don't have any definitive answer whether Ramirez counts. My opinion is that a strict reading of the CBA, his signing counts against the quota unless he "signed" before the deadline. But what does "signed" mean? Is a verbal agreement OK? If the contract is on the MLB fax machine by the time their offices open the next business day, is it considered timely? Did ARAM sign a contract before the deadline?

 

2) We don't know exactly what the quota is this year. It appeared that the quota might be as low as three A/Bs (a pool of fewer than 62), with a few players opting out of their contracts, few team options exercised and very few players re-signed by their teams, it now appears that as many as 91 type A/Bs were available. The CBA says the pool grows at the following intervals: <15 = a quota of one; 15-38 two, 39-62 three and over 62, the number may be adjusted accordingly. Assuming they use the same interval, the quota may go to five at a pool of 85 A/Bs. (The CBA isn't specific on this.)

 

So, the Cubs could have as few as *two* A/B left under the quota (IF Ramirez counts and the quota is four). Or as many as *four* left (Ramirez doesn't count and the quota is five).

 

My guess now is that the number for the Cubs is *three*: Ramirez counted, but the quota is five.

 

I agree that the way Hendry is talking in the press that: 1) the rule has been dropped; 2) the rules is loosely enforced (I'd be surprised); 3) he can sign 3 or 4 more A/Bs under the rule (and one of their moves comes by trade); or 4) he's completely unaware of the rule (again, I'd be surprised- even considering it's Hendry!).

 

***PAGING MLPEEL**** (I wish that still worked.)

 

CFP

[CaliforniaRaisin]

***PAGING MLPEEL**** (I wish that still worked.)

 

:(

[Laura]

I've never heard of this being applied in real life.

 

"The Yankees wanted to sign another free agent, but couldn't because of the CBA cap on A/B type free agent signings."

 

Maybe it has been. I just haven't heard of it.

[LeftCoastCubFan]

2003-2006 CBA

 

(5) Quota

(a) Clubs shall be limited in the number of Type A and B Players,

as defined below, they may subsequently sign to contracts. The

number of signings permitted shall be related to the number of Players

electing free agency under this Section B. If there are 14 or less

such Players, no Club may sign more than one Type A or B Player.

If there are from 15 to 38 such Players, no Club may sign more than

two Type A or B Players. If there are from 39 to 62 such Players, no

Club may sign more than three Type A or B Players. If there are

more than 62 such Players, the Club quotas shall be increased

accordingly. There shall be no restrictions on the number of

unranked Players which a Club may sign to contracts.

(b) Irrespective of the provisions of subparagraph (a) above, a

Club shall be eligible to sign at least as many Type A and B Players

as it may have lost through Players having become free agents under

this Section at the close of the season just concluded.

 

http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/pdf/cba_english.pdf

The new CBA isn’t posted yet, but since there was no discussion in the media I assume it would be the same going forward though it could be adjusted with fewer A/B players going forward. But this off season is playing by the old rules so this should be in effect.

 

If the number of total free agents was 192 as I remember, that’s 96 type A/B players so each team can sign up to 5 over their losses. Our only one is Pierre, so that would allow us to sign 6.

 

DeRosa is a type B, and Aramis doesn't count since he's ours. 5 more possible signings.

[JeffH]

First of all, I'm with Serena.

 

Secondly, no one has ever addressed my point that the old CBA says that if Ramirez were to sign after the deadline via the arbitration process, that wouldn't count against the Cubs' quota.

 

If that doesn't count, why should a pre-arb agreement?