Top Free Agents Remain Unsigned (HELP)

andjbock · 09-14-2010, 11:27 AM

Hi,

I've just hit spring training after going through my first offseason. I need help adjusting financials because ALL of the top free agents remain unsigned as of 2/28/2000 (Spring training games start today).

I'm playing an MLB setup with fictional players, using the default financial settings, except I just bumped CASH up to $5mm (will that help?)

The most a team has for FAs is $6mm, but top guys are asking for $8mm-$9mm. (UPDATE: demands have gone down to approx $4mm+, now that spring training has started)

Can anyone help with suggestions for correcting this, so teams have enough $ to sign guys? I can't have last year's MVP remain unsigned, etc.

Thanks,

Curve Ball Dave · 09-14-2010, 11:45 AM

Not to worry. Teams will continue to sign free agents through Spring Training up until Opening Day.

andjbock · 09-14-2010, 12:00 PM

Alright cool. Thanks. I'll just hang tight for now.

andjbock · 09-14-2010, 12:18 PM

The day before opening day now, and no action.

falkonisback · 09-14-2010, 12:49 PM

Wow, talk about YOU have the pick of the litter...lol

Curve Ball Dave · 09-14-2010, 12:51 PM

The guy who is injured won't get any offers. And the rest? If teams don't have the money the players will remain unsigned. I've seen FA's sit out whole seasons before.

Sabermetric Baseball · 09-14-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curve Ball Dave

The guy who is injured won't get any offers. And the rest? If teams don't have the money the players will remain unsigned. I've seen FA's sit out whole seasons before.

Yeah, that's happening more and more often in real life MLB as well (not the full season, but well into the late summer).

Also, Type A free agents sometimes have difficult times getting signed, since the compensation requires the signing team to give up a draft pick (instead of the original team just being awarded a supplemental).

andjbock · 09-14-2010, 01:25 PM

Well I'll keep playing and hope some teams wisen up.

I need to infuse cash into the league I guess. I don't want salaries getting crazy and teams to make poor decisions, but I'd rather the #1 and #3 player according to the 'Top Players List' have jobs.

I guess my fictional league is taking a page from the NFL with players like V-Jax and Logan Mankins holding out.

Peregrine · 09-14-2010, 01:41 PM

Since owners are controlling budgets, you may want to take a look at what they are (via the Financial Reports screen.) If you have a bunch of cheapskate owners they may have the budgets low, and so the teams can't afford to pay those salaries. You would then have the option of adjusting them higher if you like.

cody8200 · 09-14-2010, 01:50 PM

andjbock, did you change any options upon starting the game regarding drafted talent? for example, feeder leagues and/or player creation modifiers? If so, you might have created way too much talent for your league and thus good players aren't being signed because there is already so many good players.

Also, you can always add cash to the teams and that should help. Teams will sign players if they have the cash to do so.

Going forward make sure that the average ticket price is increased a bit so all teams have a better chance of making money.

andjbock · 09-14-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody8200

andjbock, did you change any options upon starting the game regarding drafted talent? for example, feeder leagues and/or player creation modifiers? If so, you might have created way too much talent for your league and thus good players aren't being signed because there is already so many good players.

Also, you can always add cash to the teams and that should help. Teams will sign players if they have the cash to do so.

Going forward make sure that the average ticket price is increased a bit so all teams have a better chance of making money.

Thanks Cody,

I didn't make any development modifier adjustments, 99% default league (no DH in the AL is the only change I made).

I changed the setting from owners setting their budget so it's based off actual money and a bunch of teams now have the funds to sign the top tier players.

I'll change ticket prices +3 and monitor that development.

Thundercrack · 09-14-2010, 03:04 PM

andjbock, the financials need to be constantly tweaked because the ai in this regard is clueless. I have the same problem, teams going way over their budget, then not having any money available to sign free agents in subsequent years, causing star players to remain unsigned because no one has any money left to sign them, not for these other reasons that have been offered here. I don't know what the solution is.

andjbock · 09-14-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thundercrack

andjbock, the financials need to be constantly tweaked because the ai in this regard is clueless. I have the same problem, teams going way over their budget, then not having any money available to sign free agents in subsequent years, causing star players to remain unsigned because no one has any money left to sign them, not for these other reasons that have been offered here. I don't know what the solution is.

Thanks. It's helpful to know it's not just my league.

Curve Ball Dave · 09-14-2010, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thundercrack

I have the same problem, teams going way over their budget, then not having any money available to sign free agents in subsequent years

Speaking from recent personal experience, you don't have be an AI team to have that problem

ChinMusic · 09-15-2010, 08:53 PM

One thing that I adjusted in my fictional league was the market sizes and fan interest. My market sizes ranged from 2-14 with the 2's having a 30M budget and the 14s have 150M. I brought the min up to at least a 5 to get more balance. I also go thru each team and set the fan interest to 50 before the first game of the season. It can dip below during the season/offseason. These seem to keep each team with enough cash flow.

rudoggy · 09-17-2010, 11:48 AM

Not sure if it still applies, but you may have to watch those guys not getting signed. In the past, some versions of OOTP had players who just might retire if they dont play on a team for more than a year.(not sure of exact timeline)

andjbock · 09-27-2010, 03:34 PM

Just an update...

I just went into the offseason, entering my 3rd year and setting the option of "Team Owner controls Budget?" set to "No, entire revenue available" seems like it did the trick.

I also upped the media contract average to $15mm, but that may change when I import financials.

Anyway, the top guys who sat out a year a starting to get offers, so everything looks to be back on track.

I'll just concoct some sort of player imposed player lockout backstory to add to the fun of things.

Thanks for everyone helping out.

jar2574 · 09-27-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudoggy

Not sure if it still applies, but you may have to watch those guys not getting signed. In the past, some versions of OOTP had players who just might retire if they dont play on a team for more than a year.(not sure of exact timeline)

I have seen that too. A pitcher got hurt for 13-14 months, and his injury occured right before he became a free agent. At about the time he recovered, and thus, would become more attractive to teams again, he retired. Presumably, he got tired of waiting in the free agent pool.

andjbock · 09-27-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar2574

I have seen that too. A pitcher got hurt for 13-14 months, and his injury occured right before he became a free agent. At about the time he recovered, and thus, would become more attractive to teams again, he retired. Presumably, he got tired of waiting in the free agent pool.

The 2 top guys I wrote about originally just retired as the new year started. That's annoying, especially since 1 of them was in contract talks.

I backed up the season on 12/31, so if anyone has help on how to get them to sign before they retire, let me know.

09-14-2010, 11:45 AM	#2
Curve Ball Dave Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,330	Not to worry. Teams will continue to sign free agents through Spring Training up until Opening Day. __________________ "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing"-Warren Spahn.

09-14-2010, 12:18 PM	#4
andjbock Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Somerville, MA, USA Bats: Right Throws: Left Posts: 3,630	The day before opening day now, and no action. Attached Images

09-14-2010, 12:51 PM	#6
Curve Ball Dave Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,330	The guy who is injured won't get any offers. And the rest? If teams don't have the money the players will remain unsigned. I've seen FA's sit out whole seasons before. __________________ "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing"-Warren Spahn.

09-14-2010, 01:50 PM	#10
cody8200 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,436	andjbock, did you change any options upon starting the game regarding drafted talent? for example, feeder leagues and/or player creation modifiers? If so, you might have created way too much talent for your league and thus good players aren't being signed because there is already so many good players. Also, you can always add cash to the teams and that should help. Teams will sign players if they have the cash to do so. Going forward make sure that the average ticket price is increased a bit so all teams have a better chance of making money. __________________ Sharp Guys Web Design - Twitter: @sharpguysweb

09-14-2010, 11:27 AM	#1
andjbock Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Somerville, MA, USA Bats: Right Throws: Left Posts: 3,630	Top Free Agents Remain Unsigned (HELP) Hi, I've just hit spring training after going through my first offseason. I need help adjusting financials because ALL of the top free agents remain unsigned as of 2/28/2000 (Spring training games start today). I'm playing an MLB setup with fictional players, using the default financial settings, except I just bumped CASH up to $5mm (will that help?) The most a team has for FAs is $6mm, but top guys are asking for $8mm-$9mm. (UPDATE: demands have gone down to approx $4mm+, now that spring training has started) Can anyone help with suggestions for correcting this, so teams have enough $ to sign guys? I can't have last year's MVP remain unsigned, etc. Thanks, Attached Images Last edited by andjbock; 09-14-2010 at 11:44 AM.

09-14-2010, 12:00 PM	#3
andjbock Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Somerville, MA, USA Bats: Right Throws: Left Posts: 3,630	Alright cool. Thanks. I'll just hang tight for now.

09-14-2010, 12:49 PM	#5
falkonisback All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Posts: 869	Wow, talk about YOU have the pick of the litter...lol

09-14-2010, 01:25 PM	#8
andjbock Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Somerville, MA, USA Bats: Right Throws: Left Posts: 3,630	Well I'll keep playing and hope some teams wisen up. I need to infuse cash into the league I guess. I don't want salaries getting crazy and teams to make poor decisions, but I'd rather the #1 and #3 player according to the 'Top Players List' have jobs. I guess my fictional league is taking a page from the NFL with players like V-Jax and Logan Mankins holding out.

09-14-2010, 01:41 PM	#9
Peregrine All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cary, North Carolina Posts: 635	Since owners are controlling budgets, you may want to take a look at what they are (via the Financial Reports screen.) If you have a bunch of cheapskate owners they may have the budgets low, and so the teams can't afford to pay those salaries. You would then have the option of adjusting them higher if you like.

09-14-2010, 03:04 PM	#12
Thundercrack All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 851	andjbock, the financials need to be constantly tweaked because the ai in this regard is clueless. I have the same problem, teams going way over their budget, then not having any money available to sign free agents in subsequent years, causing star players to remain unsigned because no one has any money left to sign them, not for these other reasons that have been offered here. I don't know what the solution is.

09-15-2010, 08:53 PM	#15
ChinMusic Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 27	One thing that I adjusted in my fictional league was the market sizes and fan interest. My market sizes ranged from 2-14 with the 2's having a 30M budget and the 14s have 150M. I brought the min up to at least a 5 to get more balance. I also go thru each team and set the fan interest to 50 before the first game of the season. It can dip below during the season/offseason. These seem to keep each team with enough cash flow.

09-17-2010, 11:48 AM	#16
rudoggy Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: In my own little world Posts: 430	Not sure if it still applies, but you may have to watch those guys not getting signed. In the past, some versions of OOTP had players who just might retire if they dont play on a team for more than a year.(not sure of exact timeline)

09-27-2010, 03:34 PM	#17
andjbock Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Somerville, MA, USA Bats: Right Throws: Left Posts: 3,630	Just an update... I just went into the offseason, entering my 3rd year and setting the option of "Team Owner controls Budget?" set to "No, entire revenue available" seems like it did the trick. I also upped the media contract average to $15mm, but that may change when I import financials. Anyway, the top guys who sat out a year a starting to get offers, so everything looks to be back on track. I'll just concoct some sort of player imposed player lockout backstory to add to the fun of things. Thanks for everyone helping out.