For the next part of this series, for which we have so far discussed Team D, Roster Size and Positional changes. Today I want to talk about a revamp (one that were are a few years behind the curve on) to the Waiver System.
Here’s a look at the Waiver System up to this point;
- 2001-08: Continual rolling list (1 day), No Weekly Waiver, Post Draft FA
- 2009: Continual rolling list (1 day), Sunday-Tuesday Waivers, Post Draft FA
- 2010-11: Weekly rolling list by standings (2 days), Sunday-Tuesday, Post Draft FA
- 2012-13: Weekly rolling list by standings (2 days), Gametime-Tuesday, Post Draft FA
- 2014-20: Weekly rolling list by standings (1 day), Gametime-Tuesday, Post Draft FA
- 2021-23: Weekly rolling list by standings (1 day), Gametime-Tuesday, Post Draft Waiver
- 2024 Proposal: FAAB then Weekly rolling list by standings (1 day), Gametime-Tuesday, Post Draft Waiver
So the proposal here is to add a Free Agent Auction Budget, much like how the draft works. Free Agents will still be free, but for the players on Waivers you have the option to put in a blind bid. If everyone bids $0, then it reverts back to the wavier rank, but by placing a bid of $1 or more, you could jump over everyone else on the list. If everyone puts in a bid though, $1 probably isn’t gonna get it done.
What is FAAB exactly?
The FAAB system started to gain traction about 15 years ago, and is becoming the standard system Yahoo uses for their public leagues in all their fantasy sports. Here is an explanation (in exerpts) from Pro Football Network;
- FAAB is a blind bidding system where each manager submits a bid, or offer for a player in the form of a fake dollar amount.
- Managers organize those bids based on preference. Then, the system awards the free agents to the highest bidders.
- Any unclaimed players become free agents that can be added at any time without having to bid a dollar amount or wait any period of time.
- More info in the video below…
Why should we do this?
For me, the biggest reason is a conversation that Jones and I have had several times over the years; it is oftentimes advantageous to be lose in Week One to get first crack at the early season waiver pickups. No one wants to lose, and while this offers a silver-lining, I’d rather see a more strategic, balanced system put into place.
You would have a budget of $100 for the year. Maybe you blow it all early, maybe you save it all for a playoff run, maybe you don’t use it at all – but it allows the non-worst teams each season a chance when a big name is available.
While I like the consolation bracket, one reason most leagues don’t actively do one has to do with roster moves, and the fact that the teams in the toilet bowl have a better chance to add impact players than the teams going for the title do (this also opens up a debate about whether or not non-playoff teams should be roster locked at a point).
SC League Forever 