I see your point. The rules you mention that are built into the system do help and make sense. However, if I want to tank, I CAN start a player out of position, bench some of my best players, not use my top pitchers, etc.etc.etc.

I had two teams going for about the last 30 games of last season--both teams I picked up that seemed to have been looted. I know Mike polices trades, but even so you can see teams which are a total mess by the end of the season. That destroys competitiveness too.

There are always quirks. My launch league team was no-hit by a long reliever the other guy started--and it was a playoff-caliber team--got into the second round of the LL playoffs. Later I had to do the same thing, starting Jimmy Key who was classified as a long reliever. I also had very good results.

I certainly respect the opinion of you veterans of the league and sure am not against anything to improve the game. I do think, however, that the solutions you suggest seem pretty complicated and can be circumvented by somebody who doesn't want to play to win.

Dn