· A team can add up to 5 more players (any combination of pitchers, batters and Brooks Kieshnick) from the free agent pool to bring their roster total up to 28 through a "reverse order of standings draft".

· Everyone wishing to add free agents at this time will submit their lists to The Commissioner on or before Sept 1st. The list will include the order of preference and the number of players needed along with any special instructions necessary to acquire said players (i.e. "I want 3 pitchers and 2 batters", "If I get this guy, don't take this one", and "Please no more than 3 Detroit Tigers even though my list has four on it", etc)

· The Commissioner will then assemble all the lists and proceed to have a mini draft (after consuming mass quantities of Dunkin' Donuts coffee), with the lowest participating team in the standings getting the first pick in each round and the highest team the last, until all lists are exhausted and/or rosters are filled.

· A team may opt to call up to the expanded roster any and all players currently on their reserve list. These count as part of your 5 player total and will be considered a team's "last moves", that is, they will not be done until after the expansion allocation draft has taken place. This guarantees your first choice isn't taken up by un-reserving a player.

· The Expansion Draft will be held at The Commissioner's convenience on the weekend prior to the first Monday on or after September 1st. For this season, it's Monday, September 1st, how convenient for me! Yes I know it's Labor Day, but The Commish works holidays when necessary.

· A team may add no more than 5 extra players to their roster, this total includes any reserves that are called up. These 5 extra players may be a mix of any positions.

· After expansion, the usual rules then apply for injury and performance transactions provided minimum position requirements are met (you can't drop all your catchers and keep the two extra outfielders you just acquired). Week to week, you can drop a player and not add another in his place provided your roster total stays at 23 (or higher) and positional integrity is maintained (i.e. you must have at least 9 pitchers at all times, two catchers, five OF's, etc). You can also add another player and not drop one if your roster total is under 28 (if say you only got three players from your list in the expansion). Remember all non-injury transactions will count against your limit of 15 for the season.

· You can drop a pitcher and add a batter or vice-versa and so long as positional integrity is met, you may move players from your expansion list to your original 23-man roster and back as the rules permit.

· The cost for this "smorgasbord of fun" is an additional $5. This is a "one-time" fee and is just a straight $5 regardless of the number of players added, not $5 per player.

· Any teams choosing not to participate in the expansion will still be able to make transactions according to the prescribed rules and at any time after September 1st may "expand" for an additional $5, subject to all the above Expansion rules.

· For the remainder of the season after roster expansion, starting with the next Monday, eligible transactions for any team participating in the Roster Expansion will be free for the rest of the season. Other, non-participating teams may make moves as well, subject to the usual fees.

It's really not that complicated, just think of it as up to five extra "UT" spots which can also hold pitchers if you so desire. Most of you have been down this road before and are well versed in the process by now. For the new guys, Fred and Bruce, don't hesitate to call with any questions! Bruce, that is if you're still hanging in there with us and wish to participate, I realize that five Mets for five bucks isn't exactly a bargain… Keep an eye on your batting average and pitching ratios (ERA, WHIP). Keep in mind that while five guys can quickly add to your homer and win totals, they can also do some damage to the calculated percentages. So get me those lists pronto and make sure you've got plenty of names on them as the pickings are slim (Pedro Feliz and Darren Oliver?) and the bodies go fast. Think Wal-Mart, 6AM, Christmas Eve day…

Well that took up a little more space than I originally intended so let's just call it a night, shall we? Besides, I need some time to get a few things done around The Commish's Office. Most notably, getting the All My Rowdy Friends Fantasy Football League ready for Opening Day (click here if you're interested in seeing the results of last Saturday's draft) and helping Fred and Kevin Kelly get their Guy & Joe Caruso voodoo dolls in working order… "Nothin' like a little Cajun voodoo to undo what's been bad to you", ain't that right Freddy? Remember, if you're planning on participating, expansion lists with lots of names on them to me before Monday (it's Labor Day and you don't want to be making pick-up lists on your day off, do you?) 'til next week…