In Japanese professional baseball, the term “money player” (kinsen senshu), sometimes written as “キン・セン選手,” translates literally to “money player.” It’s an internet slang term referring to a fictional player acquired using the monetary compensation a team receives when a player leaves via free agency (FA). Think of it as the “ghost” of a player that could have been.
Free Agency and Compensation in Japanese Baseball
The FA system allows players who meet certain criteria to freely choose and move to a new team. It aims to protect players’ rights and maintain competitive balance between teams. When a player transfers through FA, their former team receives compensation from the new team to offset the loss of the player. This compensation can be either:
- (jin-teki hoshō): “Human compensation,” where the new team transfers a player not on their protected list (28 players) to the former team.
- (kinsen hoshō): “Monetary compensation,” where the new team pays the former team a sum of money.
The amount of monetary compensation depends on the FA player’s annual salary ranking—higher-ranked players command higher compensation. Interestingly, the average career span of a professional baseball player in Japan is about 9 years, with an average retirement age of 29. Since it takes an average of 11 years to acquire FA rights (average age over 32), players spend almost their entire career to reach this point.
Also, the compensation amount differs based on whether it’s the player’s first time declaring free agency or subsequent times.
| FA Type | Human Compensation | Salary Rank A | Salary Rank B | Salary Rank C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-time FA (no previous FA) | None | 80% of previous salary | 60% of previous salary | None |
| First-time FA (with previous FA) | Available | 50% of previous salary | 40% of previous salary | None |
| Repeat FA (no previous FA in this period) | None | 40% of previous salary | 30% of previous salary | None |
| Repeat FA (with previous FA in this period) | Available | 25% of previous salary | 20% of previous salary | None |
Why Monetary Compensation Exists
While the FA system protects player rights, it also aims to maintain a competitive balance between teams. When a star player leaves through FA, their former team inevitably suffers. Monetary compensation provides funds for the former team to acquire or develop new players, helping to maintain this balance.
In Major League Baseball (MLB), acquiring an FA player results in losing draft picks. However, unlike NPB, there’s no “human compensation” rule where a player is transferred to the other team.
The Impact of “Money Player”
The use of “money player” has likely raised awareness about the significance of monetary compensation in the FA system. It also serves as a humorous way to express the complexities of team strategies and player value during FA transfers.
Summary
“Money Player” is an internet slang term that embodies the monetary compensation aspect of Japanese professional baseball’s FA system.
Takuya’s Note: With teams increasingly favoring monetary compensation over human compensation, there’s a growing emphasis on financial flexibility in team management. “Money Player” captures this trend while offering a simple and humorous way to understand the complexities of the FA system and the strategic maneuvering between teams. The usage of this term might evolve with future trends in the FA system and changes in buzzwords among baseball fans.
