Fielding a starting lineup with active MLB players

[White Sox GM (Michael S.)]

We had a brief discussion about this topic last year.  For competition purposes in a head to head league, we need to make sure that there is an even "playing field" by requiring each team to have an active starting lineup of players, who are at the the time of each in-season matchup on a MLB 26 man roster.  

While having a significant number of minor leaguers on a roster is fine, it is not worthy of competition for these minor leaguers to clog up spots in the starting lineup.
This means each team must allocate on their respective rosters enough MLB players to slot into the starting lineup.  This should be an active bare minimum in each matchup. For purposes of monitoring in-season rosters, I propose that we create a competition committee. The Committee's role will be to monitor the league's starting lineup to monitor the status of rosters and to report to the Front Office any rosters that do not have active MLB players in the lineup. This does not apply to situations where a player gets demoted during the week's matchup, but the overall status of the roster in its entirety during the course of the matchup.  For instance, if a player is demoted during a match, the team may be warned about that player no longer active and the team will have to the next week's matchup to replace that player in the lineup.

The penalties for not having an active roster of MLB Players can be as follows:

1. First Offense - Warning - Team must take action to have an active roster before next matchup.
2. Second Offense - Warning -- Teams must take action before next matchup or penalty will be assessed.
3. Third Offense -- Penalty -- Loss of minor leaguers in starting lineup, which will be suspended from roster.  Team must plug in active players in roster before next matchup or players will be permanently removed from roster.
4. Fourth Offense -- Potential dismissal from the league.

[Phillies GM (Matt)]

Love this proposal

[Guardians - (Steve)]

I like the idea I just see a few issues that could happen.

Teams that are rebuilding are going to be prospect heavy. There may be situations where guys are going up and down. At the start of the year he may have had enough major league guys but some have been sent down and has no one to replace them. Are we going to ask that team to bid on and average/below average major league in free agency and have him cut a prospect and use his cap just to have his team with a major league who quite possibly may only play 1-2 times a week anyway?

Also that team may have a quality major leaguer that he could trade later in the year that could bring him more prospects that he needs to get him out of bottom of the league.

It takes prospects to build teams that are struggling. You need them to either eventually make it to the majors or trade them for quality major leaguers.

I only ask a team to stay active and if the do have some guys get called up to make sure they have them in their line up. But if that isn’t the case then it’s their team and if prospects can get them where they want to be in years to come so be it.

I understand we want all teams to be active but each team has different agendas to get to where they want to go.

Again I like the idea just need to be careful because all teams are not built the same.

[Cubs GM - Monty]

I support this proposal but also acknowledge Steve’s concerns, and that is why I like the idea of a committee to look at it in a case by case basis.

With 55 roster spots now available, even a rebuilding team should be able to devote around 20 roster spots to MLB quality players (10 hitters and 10 pitchers) for most of the season. If after the trade deadline, that number dropped to 16-17 because that team moved some MLB players for a prospect haul that will benefit their organization, I am not bothered by that. I think we can recognize that this was the best for their team and they should be looked at differently than a team who has guys on the 60 day IL and never took them out of their lineup for a week or two. An owner who does that or leaves SP consistently on their bench because they did not check their roster for a week or two needs to be addressed. I think having a group to look at each situation and make a call on this behavior will benefit the league tremendously.

If the basis of this proposal is to keep teams active and competitive, I absolutely agree with that position. This league is better when we are all active and participating regularly. I just think we need to recognize that this may look differently for some teams.

[Brewers GM (matt)]

I agree there should be something to keep teams active and competitive 100%, and hope all can see that I've been very active since taking over this rebuild. I also agree with Steve's comments though. I'm currently in that rebuild phase in year 2 of taking over an awful neglected team. I understand and agree that the starting roster should have active mlb players in the lineup (atleast starting the season), but there needs to be some leeway if those players get hurt or demoted. My team is full of top 200 prospects which benefit my future success 100times more compared to dropping one of those prospects to pick up a mlb bench player to replace an injured player in my starting lineup. A real life MLB rebuilding team would promote a prospect to gain experience instead of signing a worthless FA. That's what I would do in this league if injury occurred but unfortunately I can't promote a prospect to the active roster. I shouldn't be penalized in that scenario to drop a spec for a FA that plays 2 times a week with a .225avg and no future dynasty value.

[White Sox GM (Michael S.)]

Our starting lineup consists of 18 MLB players (9 pitchers and 9 hitters).  This represents approximately 33 percent of a full roster of 45 players, plus 10 minor league slots.  As a target, but not a requirement, it should be reasonable for a team to aim to have at least 28 active MLB players on a full roster (approximately 51%). This would leave room for 18 active MLBers, and at least 10 active MLB replacements (if needed).  In such a scenario, there would still be significant space to devote to future talent.  As this league is a head to head league, we need to make sure that there are viable matchups each and every week.  There should not be any excuse in the offseason to prepare for this proposed rule modification.  

The proposed Rule will specifically be an amendment as follows:

Rule B2 Maintaining an Active Starting Lineup
During the season, each team is expected to maintain a starting lineup of 9 hitters and 9 pitchers consisting of active MLB players.  To monitor weekly matches, a Competition Committee will be established of 3 owner volunteers.  The task of the Committee will be to review active rosters and to advise teams if there lineups do not have a full compliment of 18 active MLBers.  The Committee is also to advise the Front Office of teams that have deficiencies in their lineups.  If no action is taken by the deficient team to place a MLB active player in a starting lineup, the following actions may be taken at the discretion of the Front Office.


1. First Offense - Warning - Team must take action to have an active roster before next matchup.

2. Second Offense - Warning -- Teams must take action before next matchup or penalty may be assessed.

3. Third Offense -- Penalty -- Minor League Players in starting lineup will be in "suspended status" meaning that the offending team is at risk of losing those players, unless active MLB players are slotted in those spots.  If no action is taken before the next matchup, either: (i) those minor league players may be dropped from the roster, or (ii) owner may be dismissed from the league. Any penalty can be appealed as set forth below.
4. Fourth Offense -- Potential dismissal from the league.  This penalty can be appealed to the Front Office.

Exceptions to Rule:
(i) If an owner is on vacation or unavailable to make roster moves they are to advise on the message thread that they are away or unavailable.  An owner can delegate to the Competition Committee and/or the Front Office for active MLB players from the team's roster to be put in the starting lineup to correct any deficiencies.  If the team's roster does not have sufficient active MLBers to plug into the slots this deficiency must be promptly resolved when the owner returns and/or as instructed by the Front Office.

(ii) This Rule is not meant to penalize any owner for missing that a MLB player has been demoted, released, and/or injured, but to insure the integrity of league competitiveness on an on-going basis.  Any penalty assessed above can be appealed to the Front Office for further review.   

[Phillies GM (Matt)]

I think this could be harder to find consistently playing players while also expanding the league and adding rosters.

[White Sox GM (Michael S.)]

Jan 6, 2024 15:36:05 GMT -5 Phillies GM (Matt) said:

I think this could be harder to find consistently playing players while also expanding the league and adding rosters.

Please note that this post is separate from any discussions concerning league expansion which may or may not be considered this off-season.

[Phillies GM (Matt)]

Jan 6, 2024 15:52:03 GMT -5 White Sox GM (Michael S.) said:

Jan 6, 2024 15:36:05 GMT -5 Phillies GM (Matt) said:

I think this could be harder to find consistently playing players while also expanding the league and adding rosters.

Please note that this post is separate from any discussions concerning league expansion which may or may not be considered this off-season.

Apologies, I like the rule

[Orioles GM (Larry)]

I like the rule. Teams should not be allowed to start minors if they have major league players available.