Why can't a new owner do something to eliminate the bad decisions of previous owner when taking over a franchise?
I'm not advocating that new owners start with a blank slate. But a previous owner, knowing he won't be playing the game past the upcoming season, might sign ludicrous long term contracts hoping it pays off in the short term. Why should a new owner have to pay for that decision? Why not institute a onetime amnesty, so a new owner can cut one or two contracts from the budget entirely? It would only be one or two out a roster of 40+, and it would even out the game for all players a little. When you're stuck with longterm monkey-on-your-back contracts, you can't even hire scouts and coaches to improve your team, which means you fall further behind.