OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Has a possible FA ever had a change of heart?

bjkach · 10-11-2005, 04:34 AM

I had a weird situation with my top power hitter, James Hendricks.

During the first half of the season, Hendricks was poised to smash the league HR record which was either 58 or 59 (he had 35 entering July), so I tried to re-sign him because his contract was up at the end of the year. We negotiated for a while, but nothing got done. The problem was my team was in contention at the time and I didn't want to trade him, so I decided to ride it out and hope for the best at the end of the season.

Suddenly, Hendricks broke his ankle "diving" for a fly ball (still don't know how that can happen) on the fourth of July and missed nine weeks. I altered my lineup to a more speed and small ball style and we went hot and cold for a while (moved within a 1/2 game of first at one point) before eventually fading away.

During the stretch run, I get an e-mail from Hendricks saying he wanted to stay and negotiate a new contract. I signed him for 5 or 6 years at 9 million per. I was offering 12M during the first negotiation, which he rejected! Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to free agency this winter because the extra money I saved can now help me land the league's top all-around hitter (Hedricks' average is around .240) and pitcher!

The weird part about all this was the first negotiations came before 6.5 came out and the e-mail was sent after. I didn't approach him after 6.5. Maybe that had something to do with it, I don't know. But I'm happy as hell nontheless.

10-11-2005, 04:34 AM	#7
bjkach Minors (Single A) Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 85	I had a weird situation with my top power hitter, James Hendricks. During the first half of the season, Hendricks was poised to smash the league HR record which was either 58 or 59 (he had 35 entering July), so I tried to re-sign him because his contract was up at the end of the year. We negotiated for a while, but nothing got done. The problem was my team was in contention at the time and I didn't want to trade him, so I decided to ride it out and hope for the best at the end of the season. Suddenly, Hendricks broke his ankle "diving" for a fly ball (still don't know how that can happen) on the fourth of July and missed nine weeks. I altered my lineup to a more speed and small ball style and we went hot and cold for a while (moved within a 1/2 game of first at one point) before eventually fading away. During the stretch run, I get an e-mail from Hendricks saying he wanted to stay and negotiate a new contract. I signed him for 5 or 6 years at 9 million per. I was offering 12M during the first negotiation, which he rejected! Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to free agency this winter because the extra money I saved can now help me land the league's top all-around hitter (Hedricks' average is around .240) and pitcher! The weird part about all this was the first negotiations came before 6.5 came out and the e-mail was sent after. I didn't approach him after 6.5. Maybe that had something to do with it, I don't know. But I'm happy as hell nontheless. Last edited by bjkach; 10-11-2005 at 04:37 AM.