Cash for Players

[Porklet]

Does anyone know when the "cash for players" trades became uncommon? Was it when the farm system was established? I don't recall a trade involving cash anytime in the recent past.

[RedsoxRockies]

They happen, they are just minor

[etothep]

a lot of times the cash simply comes in the form of one of the teams paying for part of the traded player's contract

[Porklet]

I see. Would anyone agree that a pure "cash for player" might fly in 1910, but it would never happen say, from 1970 to present?

[dps]

I see. Would anyone agree that a pure "cash for player" might fly in 1910, but it would never happen say, from 1970 to present?

Actually, when free agency first came in, Charles Finley tried to sell some of the A's good players off for cash the year before they became eligible for free agency, but Commissioner Kuhn blocked him and intituted a policy that while minor players could be traded for cash, star players couldn't.

[Porklet]

Actually, when free agency first came in, Charles Finley tried to sell some of the A's good players off for cash the year before they became eligible for free agency, but Commissioner Kuhn blocked him and intituted a policy that while minor players could be traded for cash, star players couldn't.

Ahh, what year was that? Was that in the early 70's?

[Slingshot]

It's interesting that the big 4 in America all operate with trades and hardly any pure transfer fees, while in soccer it's the other way around.

[Porklet]

It's interesting that the big 4 in America all operate with trades and hardly any pure transfer fees, while in soccer it's the other way around.

I wonder why that is. It could be because the success of a soccer team relies heavily on chemistry and gelling as a team over time. Considering chemistry, the odds that a trade could be worked out that satisfied both teams becomes difficult. Also, the only real way the lower clubs can improve is to build a bank so they can sign more talented players in order to compete. Considering there is no cap the team's ability to collect funds becomes crucial.

I may be way off, but that's my two cents.

[gRYFYN1]

Well now any trade that has over 1 million in cash changing hands needs to be approved by the commissioner.

As to why they allow it in soccer, it hard to say other than tradition, while baseball like to pretend that it is too pure, and to exchange players for money would some how harm the integrity.

[Slingshot]

One huge reason is the fact that soccer operates with a relegation and promotion system. In American sports, there are affiliation teams connected to each team so there's no real competition between them. In soccer, it's basically every team by itself. This means also that sheer number of teams makes the competition (both sports-related and financially) that much harder. So if a team develops a superstar, it is most likely that they'll sell him to one of the big clubs because of their financial situation and to help the club's progress (kind of like prospects in baseball, only with money). For example, there are a lot of lower-league clubs that have been placed under administration (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2336289.stm) in the last years.

[Rongar]

One huge reason is the fact that soccer operates with a relegation and promotion system. In American sports, there are affiliation teams connected to each team so there's no real competition between them. In soccer, it's basically every team to itself. This means also that sheer number of teams makes the competition (both sports-related and financially) that much harder. So if a team develops a superstar, it is most likely that they'll sell him to one of the big clubs because of their financial situation and to help the club's progress (kind of like prospects in baseball, only with money). For example, there are a lot of lower-league clubs that have been placed under administration (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2336289.stm) in the last years.

Intresting info - thanks SS

[beerchaser]

Actually, when free agency first came in, Charles Finley tried to sell some of the A's good players off for cash the year before they became eligible for free agency, but Commissioner Kuhn blocked him and intituted a policy that while minor players could be traded for cash, star players couldn't.

Yep, that was the trigger point for today's rules. This was in the early-mid 70's.