I Propose a Trade

[mattynokes]

I don't think lowering the talent levels will necessarily fix the dynasty fears or promote balance. The drops are random so what if the teams like CHC or FLA aren't hit very hit or even at all while rebuilding teams like OAK or BAL see drops to their key players? I think lowering the talent levels is banking on that the good teams are the ones hit and that's not necessarily going to happen that way.

I'd propose to, one, lower the Farm Systems to "Average". I would skip going down just one notch to "Very Good" because I think at "Average" the minors will be more realistic. It seems to me success rate is pretty high. In my time here so far I've only seen a small handful of my prospects truly bust. If anything it's only been the mid 80s peak prospects stopping in the low 80s and that's still highly usable. I feel this will also allow for more veteran stability. We shouldn't see as many random veteran drops since prospects won't be sprouting all over the player.

I propose, secondly, that we use a sort of Force To FA system. I've seen it ran in past leagues and it helps a lot with league balance and is highly realistic since most players do test the market. Here's how I'd run it:

1. Teams can keep 3 out of every 5 players rated 90+ overall that are Free Agent eligible
2. Ratings will be determined by the World Series file
3. If a player who is signed in-season becomes a 90+ rating by the end of the season, he will count towards being 1 of the 3 retained 90+ rated players
4. If a player qualifies for fallback arbitration, the team can offer it to them
5. If a team allows 3+ players to test the market, they will be credited to keep additional players during the next cycle
i.e. If COL allows 3 90+ players to go to FA, COL will be able to sign 4 90+ players during the next cycle

Charting it will be easy and would look like this...

Colorado Assuming all are rated 90+ for example purposes
1. C Gabriel Gamora - Signed
2. 3B Duque Alomzo - Signed
3. CF Wesley Freeman - FA
4. RF Ryan Westmoreland - FA
5.

In this example I would have met me quota for allowing two 90+ overalls to test the market, so I would be free to sign the next 90+ player who becomes FA eligible. However, I could choose to let that player test the market and be able to sign 4 players during the next cycle.