Signing minor league free agents--sure could use help

HH20xx convert · 05-27-2009, 01:37 PM

Just a little background--- I set up a challenging league (in OOTP 2007) where my team has no money, no fan base, etc. and have carried forward to OOTP 9.
I play out every game, and it has taken me over a year of calendar time to complete two seasons.

One of the few ways to make my team better in the short run would be to sign some decent quality minor league free agents, hope some develop and get some quality depth for major league money only if/when they are called up. The only problem is virtually all such players will sign with me only if I offer them a major league minimum contract at the point of signing, and I don't have the money to do that. Those same players usually sign minor league contracts with other teams several days later.

Is this problem more a function of me having a crappy team with no fan base (and no money), or is it a function of the program designed to make it tougher on human-run teams? In other words, if I were running a team equal to the Red Sox or Yankees would I still be having this problem?

Thanks in advance for any help or comments you have.

kcroyalgm · 05-27-2009, 03:22 PM

Decent minor leaguers usually want a major league contract.
As a human manager, you are experiencing that.
The stupid AI is much more generous to AI managers and they get the players.
With no money and no fans, you are pretty much screwed, I would say.
Maybe try trading for some of those minor leaguers the AI teams signed.
You might get lucky in the trades because the AI is pretty stupid there too.

johnnybourbon · 05-27-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcroyalgm

Maybe try trading for some of those minor leaguers the AI teams signed.
You might get lucky in the trades because the AI is pretty stupid there too.

Absolutely try and trade.
I had an awful bullpen in the beginning of my current season. I traded a one-star 29 year old AAA player to a division rival for their best reliever who is a Type A free agent with an expiring contract, and is nationally popular
I did throw in his yearly salary into the deal too.

Bottom line, to win in this game, get creative. Don't be afraid to field a piss-poor team if it means winning in the future.

Curtis · 05-27-2009, 11:34 PM

Have you actually tried offering those guys minor league contracts, or are you just taking their word for it that they want the ML minimum? Some guys will settle for less than they claim they want. Maybe a quarter of the players asking the minimum who I offer minor contracts take me up on them.

HH20xx convert · 05-28-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtis

Have you actually tried offering those guys minor league contracts, or are you just taking their word for it that they want the ML minimum? Some guys will settle for less than they claim they want. Maybe a quarter of the players asking the minimum who I offer minor contracts take me up on them.

I have tried offering minor league contracts. So far, nobody has accepted from my team, but most accept minor league contracts from other teams within a few days.

Curtis · 05-28-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HH20xx convert

I have tried offering minor league contracts. So far, nobody has accepted from my team, but most accept minor league contracts from other teams within a few days.

Markus hates you.

HH20xx convert · 05-28-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtis

Markus hates you.

Usually people have to get to know me before that happens.....oh well.

So about 1/4 of your offers get accepted. Do you have a good team, good fan support, etc? Have you noticed if those who reject you accept minor league offers from other teams shortly thereafter?

Curtis · 05-28-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HH20xx convert

Do you have a good team, good fan support, etc? Have you noticed if those who reject you accept minor league offers from other teams shortly thereafter?

My team is not good (currently 8th in a twelve team league), fan support is tied for last (59, with the three highest tied at 64), budget is 9th and money available for signings is 8th. The league is awash in money, with my team for example having 58% of its budget unspent. I have not noticed any other teams' signings. It's hard enough for me to keep track of my own team. Note that this is a legacy league begun under version 2006, so I don't know if that's having an influence.

I very briefly tried to do a 2008 Mets MLB league in Version 9, in which the first thing I did was announce an open tryout. I offered every free agent a minor league contract to try out with me, regardless of what they were asking. My result was that every player who wasn't asking for money showed up, along with four of those who did want cash. One of the ones who came was asking more than the minimum. I couldn't tell you how many players were involved, but you could try it for yourself.

05-27-2009, 01:37 PM	#1
HH20xx convert Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 225	Signing minor league free agents--sure could use help Just a little background--- I set up a challenging league (in OOTP 2007) where my team has no money, no fan base, etc. and have carried forward to OOTP 9. I play out every game, and it has taken me over a year of calendar time to complete two seasons. One of the few ways to make my team better in the short run would be to sign some decent quality minor league free agents, hope some develop and get some quality depth for major league money only if/when they are called up. The only problem is virtually all such players will sign with me only if I offer them a major league minimum contract at the point of signing, and I don't have the money to do that. Those same players usually sign minor league contracts with other teams several days later. Is this problem more a function of me having a crappy team with no fan base (and no money), or is it a function of the program designed to make it tougher on human-run teams? In other words, if I were running a team equal to the Red Sox or Yankees would I still be having this problem? Thanks in advance for any help or comments you have.

05-27-2009, 03:22 PM	#2
kcroyalgm All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 645	Decent minor leaguers usually want a major league contract. As a human manager, you are experiencing that. The stupid AI is much more generous to AI managers and they get the players. With no money and no fans, you are pretty much screwed, I would say. Maybe try trading for some of those minor leaguers the AI teams signed. You might get lucky in the trades because the AI is pretty stupid there too.

05-27-2009, 11:34 PM	#4
Curtis Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Watertown, New York Posts: 4,567	Have you actually tried offering those guys minor league contracts, or are you just taking their word for it that they want the ML minimum? Some guys will settle for less than they claim they want. Maybe a quarter of the players asking the minimum who I offer minor contracts take me up on them.