Fantasy Baseball Dispute No. 7134-T: Court Upholds the Keeper League Trade of V. Martinez ($42 salary) for B. Boesch ($1 salary)

SPORTSJUDGE.COM COURT OF FANTASY BASEBALL –

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Date Rendered: May 25, 2010
Date Issued: May 30, 2010
League Type: 12-TEAM 4X4
Dispute: TRADE REVIEW
Authoring Judge: STUART SHIFFMAN

TRADE BETWEEN NICE & TERMINATORS IS ACCEPTED.

BEER BATTER LEAGUE

Petitioner,

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NICE & TERMINATORS
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The Beer Batter Leagues brings this claim in the COURT OF FANTASY BASEBALL to determine the status of a proposed trade between the Terminators and Maulers. The trade proposes that the NICE send C-1B Victor Martinez, (year 1 of 3, $42 salary), OF David Murphy (year 1 of 3, $1) and P Mitch Talbot, 1 of 3, $1) to the TERMINATORS in exchange for 1B Lyle Overbay, (year 2 of 3, $4 salary), OF Brennan Boesch (1 of 3, $1) and pitcher Fu-Te Ni, (1 of 3, $2).

This court accepts the proposed trade.

The Law on Upholding a Trade

In this court, it is the general rule that any fantasy baseball trade shall be upheld as long as the trade adequately benefits both teams. (See Public Opinion No. 101, Big Red Rockers v. Big City Bombers). A trade reasonably benefits both teams if it allows both teams to have a reasonable chance of moving up in the standings. (See Unpublished Opinion No. 468-T, Commissioner Gary Benik v. Ever-Lastings and 2 Legit 2 Quit). If the league is a keeper league, as is the case here, this Court will also consider a team’s likely performance in future seasons, especially with respect to the team currently ranked lower in the standings (See Unpublished Opinion No. 3704-T, Commissioner Paul Schultz v. Snakes & Blutos). This Court recognizes that team owners may have different strategies in terms of short-term and long-term goals; and that while one team may try to maximize its chances of winning prize money this year, another team may play for the future (See Unpublished Opinion No. 3731-T, Commissioner v. Muleskinners & Southsiders; see also Unpublished Opinion No. 3797, Commissioner v. Foo Dogs & Maulers).

In addition to these general rules, the BEER BATTER LEAGUE constitution has specific rules regarding trades that involve certain classifications of players. These rules, which appear the Official Rulebook of the Beer Batter League (adopted in March 2010), may override or supplement the court’s general, default principles.


The Beer Batter League Constitution

Section 5, of the Beer Battle League Constitution, which relates to player trades, states as follows:

SUBDIVISION A. IN-SEASON PLAYER TRADES

(1) Trades Allowed. BBL teams may exchange players in equal numbers during the regular season, subject to the provisions of this Subdivision.

(2) Asterisk Player Defined. An “asterisk player” is a player currently in the final year of his contract or a player with a salary of $25 or more.

(3) Regulations. The use of an independent arbiter shall be used to approve or veto player trades, subject to the following regulations:

(a) If a trade does not involve any asterisk players, then no independent arbiter approval is necessary. All such trades shall be allowed.
(b) If a trade does involve asterisk players, no independent arbiter approval is necessary if the BBL teams involved in the trade exchange an equal number of asterisk players and the total salary exchanged is 73.0% or greater. All such trades shall be allowed. “Total salary exchanged” is measured by taking the respective sums of annual player salary to be exchanged by each team involved in the trade and dividing the lesser total salary package by the greater total salary package. The 73.0% salary threshold is a literal requirement and not subject to approximation.
(c) If a trade does involve asterisk players but fails to satisfy either the asterisk player equality requirement or total salary exchanged requirement of Subdivision A(2), then independent arbiter approval is necessary.

(4) Independent Arbiter. Prior to every BBL season, the identity of an independent arbiter to be used for trade approval and veto under Subdivision A(3) of this Section shall be agreed upon by majority vote of the league ownership. The independent arbiter shall not be replaced until the conclusion of the season, unless circumstances prevent the independent arbiter from performing said services. Parties to any BBL trade that is subject to independent arbiter approval shall jointly and severally be responsible for any fees or costs associated with the use of the independent arbiter. Parties to any BBL trade subject to independent arbiter approval shall comply with any procedural requirements of the independent arbiter that are necessary to obtain a decision. In every case, however, said parties shall provide to the independent arbiter a written copy of this Section in its entirety.

(5) Responsibility of Independent Arbiter. Any decision of an independent arbiter under this Subdivision must take into consideration the long-term and short-term best interests of the BBL teams involved in the player trade, while also respecting the best interests of the league and the integrity of a fair and uncorrupt pennant race. In all cases, the independent arbiter shall balance the rights of individual BBL owners to operate their teams in their own discretion with the rights of the league ownership as a whole to fully and fairly participate in healthy competition with one another.

Because Victor Martinez is an “asterisk” player, approval of independent arbiter is required.

The Proposed Trade

The proposed trade is a 3-for-3 trade, with 2010 Statistics as of May 25, 2010 as follows:


Nice

Victor Martinez .258 BA 6 HR 20 RBI 0 SB
David Murphy 234 BA 2 HR 15 RBI 0 SB
Mitch Talbot 1 W 0 SV 3.71 ERA 1.24 WHIP

Terminators

Lyle Overbay .203 BA 4 HR 19 RBI 1 SB
Brennan Boesch .337 BA 4 HR 22 RBI 1 SB
Ni-Tu Fe 0 W 0 SV 2.25 ERA 1.56 WHIP


The Analysis

The Terminators are presently 5th in the twelve team league, while the Nice are 8th.

The trade in question essentially amounts to a review of the career accomplishments, and positional specialty, of Victor Martinez exchanged for the future (and currently emerging) potential of Brennan Boesch. Since the league is a keeper league and Boesch is under contract for 2 additional years, the trade resembles a classic baseball trade wherein a veteran (perhaps on the decline of his career but valuable nonetheless to a team in contention) is traded for a younger player of great potential. The addition of Martinez to the Terminators, presently in 5th place, may well allow them to finish among the top 4 teams of the league thereby winning prize money this season. Meanwhile, the Nice, further down in the standings, may already be looking towards next season. Under these circumstances it cannot be said that the integrity of a fair and uncorrupt pennant race has been negatively impacted by this trade. The trade appears to have value for both teams and therefore under the general law of fantasy baseball trades and the specific provisions of the Beer Batter League should be accepted.

Holding

Based on the foregoing, this court accepts the proposed trade of Nice players Victor Martinez (C-1B Boston Red Sox), David Murphy (OF Texas Rangers), and Mitch Talbot (P Cleveland Indians) to the Terminators for players Lyle Overbay (1B Toronto Blue Jays), Brennan Boesch (1B-OF Detroit Tigers), and Ni-Te Fu (P Detroit Tigers).

Fantasy Football Dispute No. 3223-T: Trade Of Draft Picks Tolled Because Trade Not Recognized By ESPN.com

SPORTSJUDGE.COM

COURT OF FANTASY FOOTBALL

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	x	Index No. 3223-T Date: September 13, 2009 League Type: H-TO-H, KEEPER Judge: JOE ROMANO TRADE IS TOLLED.
COMMISSIONER TIDMAN Petitioner, - against - FAT JESUS & PROGRESSIVE LEMMINGS Respondent	: : : : : : : : : :
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Petitioner, Commissioner Tidman, brings this claim in the COURT OF FANTASY FOOTBALL, seeking a declaratory judgment of the status of a trade made in the prior season between Fat Jesus and Progressive Lemmings. The trade between Fat Jesus and Progressive Lemmings is waived for the 2009 season but may be applied in 2010.

The Law on Upholding a Trade

In resolving a trade dispute, SportsJudge.com first looks to the specific league’s constitution for guidance in determining the dispute. Where no constitution exists or the constitution does not provide any guidance in determining a trade dispute, the default rule is a trade shall be upheld so long as the trade may adequately benefit both teams. Wicked Threadz Fantasy Football League v. Real Men of Genius & Express, 2306-T (2008). In such situations, SportsJudge.com arbitrators are guided by case precedent. Where the issue is one of first impression, the arbitrator will attempt to provide an equitable and fair resolution.

The Proposed Trade

The proposed trade is a 2-for-1 involving both future draft picks and players.

Fat Jesus traded to Progressive Lemmings:

· 3^rd Round Pick in 2009

Progressive Lemmings traded to Fat Jesus:

· Marvin Harrison (WR, IND)

· 5^th Round Pick in 2009

Analysis of the Trade

This trade presents an issue of first impression to SportsJudge.com. The initial trade is not being disputed, all involved agree the trade is fair. The problem arises in that the trading parties forgot to apply the trade in the current year draft. The league uses ESPN.com as the host of their league, but ESPN.com does not provide a way to trade draft picks. Therefore, each player was responsible for ensuring the trade was completed within the draft room. However, each forgot, and the commissioner seeks our decision as to the proper remedy for the situation.

It is clear from the outset that the trade was valid and, therefore, a binding contract was made between the parties. When each party failed to swap picks within the draft room, the contract became voidable due to mutual mistake. Therefore, the question remains as to what is the proper remedy for this situation.

Two possible remedies exist for the portion of the trade that remains unexecuted. The failure to trade the 2009 draft picks can be ignored or the players selected in the draft can be treated as though selected by the franchise who owned the draft choice as a result of the trade. However, to impose a trade upon the teams is an inappropriate remedy in light of the many individual factors that determine a draft choice. To impose a trade upon the teams will not promote equity and fairness. Trading the players is therefore not a feasible option.

The best remedy to this waiver of contract through mutual mistake is to ignore that the trade ever occurred and continue as thought nothing happened. This resolution does not hurt the league for the current season and promotes stability within the league. The only teams currently affected by this resolution would be the two trading teams. However, as SportsJudge.com history indicates, the stifling of fair trades is not favored. Therefore, at the discretion of the trading teams, they may apply the results of the trade in the 2010 draft. This resolution provides the most efficient remedy while not ignoring the past trade.

Holding

Based on the foregoing, the trade between Fat Jesus and Progressive Lemmings is waived for the 2009 season but may be applied in 2010.

The Mulligan: To Sawgrass

I think everyone looks forward to the Players' Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, except possibly some of the players themselves. The 17th hole has been criticized for being too "gimmicky" or "luck-driven." Quit your belly-aching! Anyone who makes over 6 figures in a year playing golf loses the right to whine about things like this. Especially since the players know that how much we fans love to watch them hit their ball into the lake. It makes us feel better to see the best players in the world take a drop and it is very exciting to watch that hole. This tournament is great because of number 17, and the great field that shows up every year to play it.

A great side story this week is Phil Mickelson's bid to become the number one ranked player in the world. With a win from Lefty, and a finish outside the Top-5 from Tiger, we have a new king of golf. Look for Phil to play well this week at Sawgrass.

First, I look for Henrik Stenson to play well here again. He won here last year and he has always played well at Sawgrass. He has been playing well overseas this season, so his success has been a little under the radar. Don't sleep on the Swede.

Ian Poulter might turn some heads this week as well. He finished 2nd here last year and we all know what he is capable of. Look for a ridiculous outfit and low scores from one of the Tour's more colorful players. A lot of people are concerned about a knee injury that he is recovering from, but Poulter says he is fine, and that is good enough for me.

This week I am torn on Paul Casey, one of my favorite players. Sometimes he plays this

course masterfully, while other times he looks like Van de Velde trying to close a British Open. I think he will play well, but I qualify this pick by explaining that Casey has missed three cuts here.

Sleeper: Jason Dufner has been putting together a banner year, but he has done so quietly. If he plays well on this big stage, he will become the talk of the Tour.