Free Agent Negotiations

Topflite66 · 06-15-2014, 09:23 AM

I'm new to the OOTP franchise but have been muddling my way through learning how the game works. One thing I don't understand is the negotiation process with some FA. I am playing 2014 Pittsburgh and am in negotiations with Russell Martin (C). When he asks for a particular package I generally respond with something about 1-2 Mil lower than what he is asking. This has worked in the past with other FA. After I respond he responds with 2-3 Mil higher than what his original asking price was. He started out at 1st year 9.3 mil, 2nd year 11 Mil, 3rd year 12.7 mil. He eventually broke off negotiations. I received an email from him later in the year to start negotiations again and this time he started out at 13 mil 1st year and after I respond he now wants 18 mil. Is this a glitch or am I doing something wrong? I thought contract negotiation was the player picks a number, you pick a number, and hopefully you can meet somewhere in the middle. Not if you don't meet my demand I'm going to raise my demand by 2-3 mil.

goalieump413 · 06-15-2014, 11:52 AM

Not a glitch. If you lowball a player, the game can create this reaction, so it's best to start negotiations early but strategically.

Topflite66 · 06-15-2014, 12:12 PM

So your saying I should try to start negotiations early in the season? I've been just waiting until the play asks. Thanks for the help.

goalieump413 · 06-15-2014, 05:46 PM

It depends. Look at your organization, free agents, and other players around the league you might be willing to trade for first. If it makes more sense to retain a player who's past team control, and his greed is reasonable, then it might make sense to wrap him up early. It makes more sense to try to sign him when he's not on a hot streak or having a tremendous year, but be careful, since some pretty outrageous demands might develop if you time your negotiations poorly.

smegma · 06-15-2014, 09:29 PM

Stupid free agents are so mercurial in this game that I'll just save before negotiating with them. That way I can Ctrl + Shift + Esc my way out of the game if they throw a fit. It's not necessarily realistic, but neither are you, Felix Doubront, nor your $22 mm asking price.

You can usually shave a few million off and lock players up for below market value by offering about 60-70% of their quote and inching forward three or four times. Pay attention to their fickle little smiley face. The game holds team option years in much higher regard than any real agent.

Avindian · 06-17-2014, 11:10 AM

Check the greed rating. Some guys just want you to back a dump truck full of cash up to their door.

Don't forget to use incentives; if you're an unscrupulous bastard, you can knife them in the back and keep them from getting the incentives. "What's that? $1,000,000 for 550 plate appearances? Oh, look, your plane for AAA is leaving. Don't miss it!"

goalieump413 · 06-17-2014, 12:17 PM

But I wonder how much this "knife in the back" mentality comes back to haunt you. Does the game track your negotiating style?

Avindian · 06-18-2014, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalieump413

But I wonder how much this "knife in the back" mentality comes back to haunt you. Does the game track your negotiating style?

I personally haven't seen it. Honestly, although I talk a good game, I rarely prevent players from making incentives.

I'm just too nice a guy. It is an available option if you want to use it, though.

Topflite66 · 06-18-2014, 05:25 PM

Thanks for all the help guys. I restarted the season and started negotiations right away. I was able to resign all the players I wanted to keep at a lot lower amount than what they were asking half way through the season. I also noticed that players in their arbitration year were more willing to take less early in the season as well.

06-15-2014, 09:23 AM	#1
Topflite66 Bat Boy Join Date: May 2014 Location: ND Posts: 13	Free Agent Negotiations I'm new to the OOTP franchise but have been muddling my way through learning how the game works. One thing I don't understand is the negotiation process with some FA. I am playing 2014 Pittsburgh and am in negotiations with Russell Martin (C). When he asks for a particular package I generally respond with something about 1-2 Mil lower than what he is asking. This has worked in the past with other FA. After I respond he responds with 2-3 Mil higher than what his original asking price was. He started out at 1st year 9.3 mil, 2nd year 11 Mil, 3rd year 12.7 mil. He eventually broke off negotiations. I received an email from him later in the year to start negotiations again and this time he started out at 13 mil 1st year and after I respond he now wants 18 mil. Is this a glitch or am I doing something wrong? I thought contract negotiation was the player picks a number, you pick a number, and hopefully you can meet somewhere in the middle. Not if you don't meet my demand I'm going to raise my demand by 2-3 mil.

06-15-2014, 12:12 PM	#3
Topflite66 Bat Boy Join Date: May 2014 Location: ND Posts: 13	Negotiations So your saying I should try to start negotiations early in the season? I've been just waiting until the play asks. Thanks for the help.

06-15-2014, 09:29 PM	#5
smegma Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 20	Stupid free agents are so mercurial in this game that I'll just save before negotiating with them. That way I can Ctrl + Shift + Esc my way out of the game if they throw a fit. It's not necessarily realistic, but neither are you, Felix Doubront, nor your $22 mm asking price. You can usually shave a few million off and lock players up for below market value by offering about 60-70% of their quote and inching forward three or four times. Pay attention to their fickle little smiley face. The game holds team option years in much higher regard than any real agent. Last edited by smegma; 06-15-2014 at 09:32 PM.

06-18-2014, 05:25 PM	#9
Topflite66 Bat Boy Join Date: May 2014 Location: ND Posts: 13	Thanks for all the help guys. I restarted the season and started negotiations right away. I was able to resign all the players I wanted to keep at a lot lower amount than what they were asking half way through the season. I also noticed that players in their arbitration year were more willing to take less early in the season as well. Last edited by Topflite66; 06-18-2014 at 05:28 PM.

06-15-2014, 11:52 AM	#2
goalieump413 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 765	Not a glitch. If you lowball a player, the game can create this reaction, so it's best to start negotiations early but strategically.

06-15-2014, 05:46 PM	#4
goalieump413 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 765	It depends. Look at your organization, free agents, and other players around the league you might be willing to trade for first. If it makes more sense to retain a player who's past team control, and his greed is reasonable, then it might make sense to wrap him up early. It makes more sense to try to sign him when he's not on a hot streak or having a tremendous year, but be careful, since some pretty outrageous demands might develop if you time your negotiations poorly.

06-17-2014, 11:10 AM	#6
Avindian Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 274	Check the greed rating. Some guys just want you to back a dump truck full of cash up to their door. Don't forget to use incentives; if you're an unscrupulous bastard, you can knife them in the back and keep them from getting the incentives. "What's that? $1,000,000 for 550 plate appearances? Oh, look, your plane for AAA is leaving. Don't miss it!"

06-17-2014, 12:17 PM	#7
goalieump413 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 765	But I wonder how much this "knife in the back" mentality comes back to haunt you. Does the game track your negotiating style?