My CAP went down. Why?

[slthree]

I traded Derek Brooks 8 mill a year for a 2 mill a year replacement but instead of getting 6 mill relief, my cap went down that much. Why?

[vinny]

Signing bonuses count against cap.

[mercalnd]

Quote: Originally Posted by slthree

I traded Derek Brooks 8 mill a year for a 2 mill a year replacement but instead of getting 6 mill relief, my cap went down that much. Why?

In more detail, cap penalties. Signing bonuses are counted against the cap in an amortized fashion (a 6 million bonus on a three year contract will count as 2 million a year + whatever that year''s salary). Whenever a player is released or traded, the entire remaining portion of his signing bonus is counted as a cap penalty so your cap goes down if the remaining part of his signing bonus exceeds his annual salary.

[slthree]

Quote: Originally Posted by spectralfan

In more detail, cap penalties. Signing bonuses are counted against the cap in an amortized fashion (a 6 million bonus on a three year contract will count as 2 million a year + whatever that year''s salary). Whenever a player is released or traded, the entire remaining portion of his signing bonus is counted as a cap penalty so your cap goes down if the remaining part of his signing bonus exceeds his annual salary.

Thanks for the explanation. I guess this really makes franchise much tougher to deal with. I was hoping to free up space by dumping such a large salary. I was trying to trade Brooks for Arrington, similar ratings but Arrington had a much lower salary and was younger. Any ideas on how to free up cap space?

[zappa55]

Cut guys with no signing bonuses. Renegotiate contracts to push some of the cap load onto later years. This might catch up to you in a few seasons down the road.

[slthree]

Quote: Originally Posted by zappa55

Cut guys with no signing bonuses. Renegotiate contracts to push some of the cap load onto later years. This might catch up to you in a few seasons down the road.

Thanks, I'll try that.