FanGraphs Audio: John Coppolella and Perverse Incentives

Episode 773
Atlanta general manager John Coppolella resigned on Monday due to a “breach of Major League Baseball rules regarding the international player market.” While the specifics of his case remain unknown, the flaws of the league’s approach to international players are manifest. In an effort to reduce costs — by way of bonus pools, for example — owners have incentivized clubs to pursue illegal means by which to acquire international talent. What are the other consequences of these cost-cutting efforts? How can they be resolved? Managing editor Dave Cameron attempts to answer these questions.

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Audio after the jump. (Approximately 46 min play time.)

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