Strategic Guidance for New Managers

TSBBL's structure is uncommon among Strat-O-Matic leagues - the Commissioner does not own a team, which promotes fair governance and conflict-free decision-making.

For Teams:
Lock in elite players before they reach free agency and command even higher salaries
Avoid bidding wars with other teams
Create long-term roster stability
Risk: Paying significant premium (25-60% over current AAV) for uncertain future performance
Risk: Player injury or decline makes contract burdensome
For Players:
Guaranteed money years earlier than waiting for free agency
Avoid risk of injury before reaching free agency
Security of 5-8 year total commitment
Risk: Leaving potentially $50M+ on table if become MVP-caliber player by free agency
Risk: Market inflation means contract becomes below-market in later years

Compaired to Type L contracts Type X extensions are significantly more expensive because the player has already proven themselves at the MLB level as a free agent signee, whereas Type L contracts buy out pre-free agency years at a discount.

The combined effect of penalties in Rule 2.2.4 ensures the team will have spent 90% of ARSD with reduced player value.

The multiplier system reflects that longer contracts provide greater security and are more attractive to players, even at lower annual values.

Managers should be aware that increased pitcher workload (higher innings totals) results in higher injury risk during the injury determination process
Teams must balance competitive needs with injury risk when determining pitcher usage patterns throughout the season

The one-year delay for international players (NPB/KBO) mirrors Strat-O-Matic's card release schedule, ensuring player cards and statistics are available before players enter the league.

When a player on a Type U, F, L, or X contract is sent to the minors:
Other teams have 48 hours to claim the player
Claiming team must place player on active roster and assume full contract
Waiver priority: reverse order of standings within same league, then opposite league
Multiple claims: team with highest waiver priority (worst record) gets the player
No claims after 48 hours: player successfully clears waivers and goes to minors

Overusing players who were primarily bench players in MLB will increase their susceptibility to injury.