[NoOne]

you'd be surprised... also, 7 is max, so it's not as difficult in my league.

i see alot of expensive older guys only getting 2-3 years. the trick is not being the first person to offer them a contract.

it won't be an extension.. he'll ask for 7years ~25-30M for sure. i'll let him hit FA and see what happens... "31" might be too young.

stats dropped but his ratings are the same = same player regardless of 1 season's results.

i'll trade in last year if he doesn't maintain consistent numbers.. i consider all 4 of those years ~equal. i don't see a dropoff at all from the perspective of the player's ability.. it's a normal range of results for his ratings.

i never use options. they make it more costly to sign. there are ways to reduce # of years sought.. like i said, don't be the first, but also offer a 1 or 2 contracts the guy doesn't like... they typically will change their demand a bit... which is typically shorter in duration and you can knock off another year if needed too.

same with IAFA in july... if you are first to offer, you basically need to double it to get them to sign... if you are the 2nd or third to offer you can double a much smaller value and get them signed much more cheaply.

they high-demand iafa guys may not work this way, obviously.. once you get to cap, it's just non-money factors deciding between teams.

i signed this guy a bit too young... but when i clicked and saw "8.75M" as the demand... i broke a rule i typically adhere too... all contracts are timed with purpose... either age or up-and-coming prospect etc etc.. 1-2year overlap can easily be traded away. age is key for their first non-arbitration contract... i shoot for ~32 as the last year.. thnk this guy is just turning 31 in his last year. i'd go as high as 33 with the truly amazing ratings like his.

but, if he decrapifies at 30-31, i won't feel bad at all abut missing those 1-2 years. the guys that have further to fall are more liekly to eke out that 1 last good year at an older age.