My Solution

At the risk of getting called out for only raising objections in the "Great Trade Debate" without offering any real solutions, I thought I'd better give what I think is a perfectly reasonable and viable (and I think much more appealing for everyone in the league) solution to the issue. Here it is.

#1 Tell everyone to keep trying to win until the season is over.

In my opinion this is the only rule needed, but for those of you that don't there's more below. This is supposed to be a competitive league with skilled players. There isn't any reason anyone needs to get a "head start" for next year. There's a perception that the teams at the bottom this year are going into next year at a disadvantage somehow. Why? Everyone is taking 3 players, and last time I checked, everyone has at least 3 quality players on their team. Everyone goes into next year on equal footing. If we want to give a small advantage to the lower ranking teams from this year by giving them early draft position, that's fine, but there is simply no need for anything beyond that.

#2 Have a consolation playoff bracket for teams 7-12 with a reward at the end.

This option would give teams a reason to keep trying in the latter part of the season, even if it is clear they will miss the big dance. Below are a few ways this could be structured.

a. The consolation bracket competes for draft order. Slots 1-6 in next years draft are reserved for the 6 teams that don't make the playoffs, but the order of those 6 slots is decided by the consolation bracket. Whoever wins the consolation bracket gets 1st pick, 2nd place gets 2nd pick, and so on. This way the lower end teams still get the advantage of better draft picks, but there is also a reason to play at the end of the year.

b. We take $150 from the big payout--so the payouts could now be $600 for 1st, $300 for 2nd, and $150 for 3rd (still good money)--and pay the winner of the consolation bracket $50 each year. Again, there is some incentive to play for.

c. Both options a & b. This is what I think is the best option. Not only will this be a sufficient cause to keep playing (draft position), but also something to make the "consolation" bracket a little more exciting.

A final adjustment that I think could be made along with all of the above is to not "snake" the draft order. This will give another (slight) advantage to the teams that were less successful in the previous year by giving them better position throughout the draft instead of just in the first round. Snaking the order is done in redraft leagues because it is the fairest way, but here we're OK with things being a little slanted in the direction of the *cough-losers-cough*.


I think these options sufficiently give a *nudge* to the teams that might need it all the while keeping the league exciting and entertaining for everyone down to the final game, and also keeping the *GASP* "competitive balance" in order.

Let me know what you think. No, scratch that. Let Pat know what you think.