http://www.sbnation.com/users/pdxtribefan Posts made by pdxtribefan on SB Nation http://www.letsgotribe.com/2008/2/24/20263/4193 pdxtribefan Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:26:03 -0000 <p>&nbsp;Just fishing for a little education here. &nbsp;Using CC's situation as a hypothetical (as opposed to flogging the dead beast), is there anything in baseball's CBA, luxury tax rules, or anything else, that would prevent a team from frontloading the money in a contract, similar to a signing bonus? &nbsp;What I'm getting at is mid-to-small market teams being able to unload some current-year contracts (if possible) in order to offer a bigger first year, thereby inflating the per-year averages of a contract and making it more enticing.</p><p>I'm not necessarily speaking of a situation like CC, where years appear to be the issue, rather a situation where the per-year money is the issue. &nbsp;The reason I ask is because I just don't see it very often. &nbsp;Johan's contract was typical, increasing in value over time. It seems there is some incentive for a team to take a one-year financial hit if it puts the team in a better position two or three years down the line. &nbsp;It also seems to open up a large avenue for creative financing.</p><p>Obviously not every team would be able to carve salary without hurting their depth, but some (cough, journeymen platoons, cough, utility-men) could. &nbsp;OK, I admit it, I'm talking about CC (one last kick of the carcass - I can't help it, I'm in law school). &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>What would the Tribe have to offer to convince him to drop the 5th year, and would it be worth it? &nbsp;The Tribe caved and offered Manny $20 million per year, but for less years than the Sox. &nbsp;Would up-front money have gotten the deal done? &nbsp;The saddest thing about this post is that I'm not even convinced CC is worth the money.</p>