Writers to Ban Bonus Recipients From Award Voting

[StlSluggers]

The first paragraph of the AP story is actually misleading. It says that players will not receive bonuses for winning awards, which makes it sound like the writers pay them or something. The second paragraph is better at explaining what is going to happen starting in 2013:

Starting in 2013, players with such bonus clauses in their contracts will be banned from receiving votes for any BBWAA awards. Hall of Fame voting is not affected, nor are manager of the year or non-BBWAA awards such as the World Series MVP or Gold Glove.

"When we first started giving out these awards it was just to honor somebody. You got a trophy, there was no monetary reward that went with it," BBWAA secretary-treasurer Jack O'Connell said. "I honestly don't think people vote with that in mind. But the attachment of a bonus to these awards creates a perception that we're trying to make these guys rich."

...

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez earned a $1.5 million bonus for winning the AL MVP in 2007, and Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling has a clause in his agreement for next year that would pay him $1 million if he receives even a single third-place vote for the Cy Young Award.

"The Schilling thing is disturbing because he doesn't even have to win," said O'Connell, noting that Schilling joked about a kickback to the voter if he collected the bonus. "That's something that none of us finds very funny."

[noseeum]

That's just dumb.

[acsguitar]

WOW 1 third place vote??!?!

[KCollins1304]

There are plenty of contracts that have already been signed through the 2013 season, I don't see how they could ignore the clauses of a contract signed before 2013.

[StlSluggers]

And now they've tabled this motion. It looks like their last vote was designed to force MLB into talks.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Baseball writers tabled their decision to prevent players from receiving bonuses for winning the Most Valuable Player, Cy Young or rookie awards.

The Baseball Writers' Association of America voted 41-21 Wednesday in favor of the resolution, which was to be implemented in 2013. The lag time was designed to give agents and teams an opportunity to adapt to the ban.

On Thursday, the BBWAA's board voted 7-0 to table implementation.

"The action was taken in order to seek meetings with officials from Major League Baseball and the Major League Players Association to address concerns of those on all sides regarding bonus clauses in players' contracts tied to the BBWAA awards," the BBWAA said.

[Pogotheostrich]

It makes sense for them to try and remove the clauses cause they could very easily lead to corruption but I don't see how the BBWAA could ever enforce it without help.

[Cornbread Maxwell]

It does make a lot of sense to ban the bonuses. I hate to think how easy it would be for a baseball writer and player to make a little side agreement as it currently stands.