Rules Mavens - A Question (Bret, Cover Your Eyes)

[MFS62]

Can Mike Piazza announce his "retirement", then the Mets sign him as a coach for, say $500K? It would be an incentive laden contract that says if activated, he would get an additional $X million.
Is this allowed?
I know they can't resign him as a player until May. But as a coach?

Real answers, please - no speculation.

Later

[nymr83]

its never been tried to my knowledge so i doubt theres a specific rule about it, but it smells of a team trying to get around the arbitration process and the union is sure to not like that.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Anyway, if Piazza and the Mets decide they want to renew their vows, they can do so on May 1 anyway, and they don't have to do this "coaching contract" dodge. I don't really see the point to going through all those gyrations. He can't play for them until May 1 no matter what.

[metirish]

nevr going to happen although it would be an interesting ruling.

[Centerfield]

There is also that small obstacle of the $12 million we owe to Paul LoDuca.

[nymr83]

maybe we can sell LoDuca to Japan? He can turn into a perenial all-star like every other American reject player that goes over there.

[Guest Edgy DC]

It's hard to imagine an answer that doesn't invove at least some specualtion.

[MFS62]

Edgy DC wrote: It's hard to imagine an answer that doesn't invove at least some specualtion.

I know,
But I'm a devious bastard and wondered if that loophole existed.

Later