Freeing up money for contract extensions

[BURNS81]

So i desperately need to sign some of my very productive players to contact extensions. Problem is there is zero money available to do that. Is the best way to have money for extensions just trading away your high priced long term contacted players? Im sure this is a simple question, but i appreciate the help.

[mgoetze]

For a start, you should note that that "money available for extensions" already includes any arbitration estimates. So if you can sign any arbitration eligible players to deals where they get less than their arbitration estimate in the first extension year, you will increase your available budget for that year. Of course, if you backload too excessively, you will just be setting yourself up for the same problem in future years...

[Canuck]

I find the best time to sign is the very first day of the off-season.