New to OOTP, Contract Question

[cdidman]

First off, I love games like this. OOTP and NHL East Side Hockey Manager, that is the best NHL simulation and this to me, is a fantastic baseball simulation.

One thing I am not understanding is contracts. Is there something out there that I can read that describes to me what the differences are with contracts. I see arbitration, I see minor league contracts, I see extensions, and I'm trying to set my team up, but I see I have a budget for extensions. I have a budget far below the asking price that my up coming free agents are wanting. Also, is it normal to have such huge jumps in asking price? I have a middle of the road SP who is currently making 63 grand. He is asking for 230 grand now. Why? His scouting report says he's nothing more then a back end starter, he's a 1.5 star player current and potential. Why such a jump?

If anyone could help me to where I can read up more about how contracts work that would be most appreciated.

Thanks.
Chad

[TribeFanInNC]

Well, the short answer is:

Baseball players have to play six years in the majors to become free agents. The first 3 years the player automatically receives the minimum salary. Years 4-6 are when a player is eligible for arbitration. IRL, most teams/players avoid arbitration by agreeing on a contract instead, sometimes 1-year or sometimes multiyear contracts. In OOTP, that happens sometimes but many still go to arbitration where they are awarded a fair salary by an arbiter. Generally, smart GMs will try to sign a player to a multiyear extension somewhere in year 4 or 5 that extends past year 6 so they can keep a player past six years for a reasonable amount. Once a player's contract is up and the player has 6 years of MLB experience, he can become a free agent and a player's contract generally increases dramatically at that point.

I won't delve too much into the financial aspect in OOTP as that is a pretty large separate topic.

Depending on the situation, the scenario where the player is looking for a large increase isn't uncommon. There are several factors in play there. You can always try offering less.

[TGH-Adfabre]

Originally Posted by cdidman

First off, I love games like this. OOTP and NHL East Side Hockey Manager, that is the best NHL simulation and this to me, is a fantastic baseball simulation.

One thing I am not understanding is contracts. Is there something out there that I can read that describes to me what the differences are with contracts. I see arbitration, I see minor league contracts, I see extensions, and I'm trying to set my team up, but I see I have a budget for extensions. I have a budget far below the asking price that my up coming free agents are wanting. Also, is it normal to have such huge jumps in asking price? I have a middle of the road SP who is currently making 63 grand. He is asking for 230 grand now. Why? His scouting report says he's nothing more then a back end starter, he's a 1.5 star player current and potential. Why such a jump?

If anyone could help me to where I can read up more about how contracts work that would be most appreciated.

Thanks.
Chad

I see arbitration,
There are 2 forms of arbitration.
1)Years 4-6 of a players career, a player reaches unrestricted free agency after 6 years of ML servicetime OR if they are Super 2 status which is the top ?% of players with less than 6 years of ML service time.
2) Any player who is eligble for free agency can be ofered arbitration by their team. These players should have over 6 years ML service time. If the player refuses arbitration the team losing the player recieves a draft pick from the team that signs the player.

I see minor league contracts
OOTP handles these in a simple fasion, they do not count money towards your team. On the books thay are free.

I see extensions
These are contrcts signed before the current contract expires. Typically to avoid a player ever reaching free agency. The start at the conclusion of the current contract.

Also, is it normal to have such huge jumps in asking price?
Yes.It will not always happen but it is common. Everyone wants a raise.

Why such a jump?
What do the players of similar talent, who are not salary controlled(1st 6 years) make. How strong is the projected free agent class and how much money is unaccounted for in the league. Not your team, the league. These factors have a significant influence.

The financial component of the game can be complicated at first.
Good luck,
LP