Yup... money seems to be the motivator that should work out the best. What we are seeing, at least in my league, is that many times the best teams don't use all the time their best players, for they have other things to worry (maybe CUP) and thus the stats of this players are limited in the league.
If you would put money in the equation - that would make people think twice and if the smaller teams were still the ones with the big numbers in the league, then that would benefit them in the long run.
Also - the stats per 48 minutes I think would be the best (minimum maybe 20 minutes per game?)