Too Good Free Agents

SamP · 09-11-2008, 05:02 PM

I am experiencing an issue where very good or handy free agents aren't being signed. Obviously I don't think it's that big of a deal when a possibly still good player like 37 or older is still a free agent but still. Juan Pierre (prime example--admittedly not an amazing player but definitely tier 2) spent the entire 2009 season on the free agent list willing to accept a contract under 1 mil (as well as being like 31 or 32 I think), even though he had hit 290 the year before. Hence, in 2010 I felt that this non-Pierre action was criminal and signed him up to a 1-year hoping I could get him his respect back. He far exceeded my expectations batting 280 and leading the MLB in stolen bases. 2011? Yep, back on the free agent list, asking for like 700,000.

That's not the end of it though. Currently my free agent list is filled with decent players that teams refuse to offer relatively meager wage for. Placido Polanco, Paul Konerko, Carlos Guillen, Juan Encarnacion, Mike Cameron, Lyle Overbay and 18 players I would confidently say could not be a free agent at this point in 2011 in real life.

I think this is due to a number of problems. First, I think a lot of teams get a good amount of money and immediatly turn it over to any big money player there is, for example, last year I attempted to resurect the career of Michael Young who had been ousted of his starter role (dispite a strong average) for some trash rookie. I snatched him up to fill the role Derek Jeter had left when he went down for the year. Michael Young performed brilliantly and the Mets signed him up quickly in the offseason for 3.5 mil a year for 3 years, even though at no point did they (1) start him over Jose Reyes, (2) start him and move Reyes, or (3) try to move him to a different spot. Make sense to you? Didn't think so. Point being, all these teams get a definitely good ammount of money from cash over maximum and spend it immediatly. The second problem seems to be that all these garbage rookies are getting starting spots for no reason. For example, right now Baltimore has no power bat (but the mediocre Luke Scott) and are starting Chase Fontaine (hitting .221, finished at .260 last year) over one of the many free first basemen. Boston doesn't even have a consistent second basemen yet they refuse to get Polanco since they can use Kristopher Negron hitting .121. Cleveland's left field is hitting in the .220s and they don't have speed to bat leadoff yet they refuse to pay under a million for Pierre.

Anyone else expierencing this?
Sorry it was so long.
Oh also, I noticed this so heavily after the first year that I have one league where I did not attempt to build my team at all (KC Royals) and instead just waited for 2008 free agency to snag up all the great players for really cheap (i.e players like Rafael Furcal)

chimanbj · 09-11-2008, 10:45 PM

So, in short, you're finding that the AI leaves something to be desired, as far as filling holes is concerned?

SamP · 09-11-2008, 10:52 PM

Well like, in short, the AI leaves holes that have answers readily available. It just bugs me to see good players on the free agent list, as a fan that is, not as a manager.

Dagrims · 09-11-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamP

I am experiencing an issue where very good or handy free agents aren't being signed. Obviously I don't think it's that big of a deal when a possibly still good player like 37 or older is still a free agent but still. Juan Pierre (prime example--admittedly not an amazing player but definitely tier 2) spent the entire 2009 season on the free agent list willing to accept a contract under 1 mil (as well as being like 31 or 32 I think), even though he had hit 290 the year before. Hence, in 2010 I felt that this non-Pierre action was criminal and signed him up to a 1-year hoping I could get him his respect back. He far exceeded my expectations batting 280 and leading the MLB in stolen bases. 2011? Yep, back on the free agent list, asking for like 700,000.

Why didn't you sign him in 2009 or re-sign him for 2011? It's possible that the other teams didn't need him, either.

Sounds like the AI GMs are smarter than the real-life GMs in the case of Juan Pierre. Since 2005 he's been one of the worst full-time leadoff hitters ever.

As for the other players you mention, yeah, it does sound like too many guys are going unsigned, but there are definitely unknown factors in your post. One example is what these free agents' ratings are, compared to starters on the AI teams. The AI just sees a set of numbers; it doesn't know that it's Rafael Furcal sitting unsigned.

SamP · 09-12-2008, 12:08 AM

Right, but Juan Pierre has definitely been solid this season if not decent last season. But thing is, when I picked him up he had missed all of 2009 on the free agent list after having hit .296, I had him lined up as a backup but he took over for Matsui and did great, finishing .280, but more importantly led the MLB in stolen bases. So then I let him go and figure the stolen base leader must be signed. I currently have Carl Crawford in Center Field, Matt Holliday in Left Field, and Shane Victorino in Right Field with Hideki Matsui and Vernon Wells on the bench, as well as Jayson Werth in AAA. Hence, at the moment I don't have room for him.

However if Shane Victorino struggles I will probably use him from the bench and sign Pierre back. Meanwhile the D'backs have Bay as their left fielder batting .232 following up a .223 season (admittedly a large contract). The Braves have Chris Duncan batting .215 (admittedly a large contract). Boston has rookie David Marks starting batting .241 with a contact rating of 10, gap 8, power 8, eye 14, and K's 10 (out of 20). I look at the other teams if you want. Point is Juan Pierre fits the descrip.

09-11-2008, 05:02 PM	#1
SamP Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 31	Too Good Free Agents I am experiencing an issue where very good or handy free agents aren't being signed. Obviously I don't think it's that big of a deal when a possibly still good player like 37 or older is still a free agent but still. Juan Pierre (prime example--admittedly not an amazing player but definitely tier 2) spent the entire 2009 season on the free agent list willing to accept a contract under 1 mil (as well as being like 31 or 32 I think), even though he had hit 290 the year before. Hence, in 2010 I felt that this non-Pierre action was criminal and signed him up to a 1-year hoping I could get him his respect back. He far exceeded my expectations batting 280 and leading the MLB in stolen bases. 2011? Yep, back on the free agent list, asking for like 700,000. That's not the end of it though. Currently my free agent list is filled with decent players that teams refuse to offer relatively meager wage for. Placido Polanco, Paul Konerko, Carlos Guillen, Juan Encarnacion, Mike Cameron, Lyle Overbay and 18 players I would confidently say could not be a free agent at this point in 2011 in real life. I think this is due to a number of problems. First, I think a lot of teams get a good amount of money and immediatly turn it over to any big money player there is, for example, last year I attempted to resurect the career of Michael Young who had been ousted of his starter role (dispite a strong average) for some trash rookie. I snatched him up to fill the role Derek Jeter had left when he went down for the year. Michael Young performed brilliantly and the Mets signed him up quickly in the offseason for 3.5 mil a year for 3 years, even though at no point did they (1) start him over Jose Reyes, (2) start him and move Reyes, or (3) try to move him to a different spot. Make sense to you? Didn't think so. Point being, all these teams get a definitely good ammount of money from cash over maximum and spend it immediatly. The second problem seems to be that all these garbage rookies are getting starting spots for no reason. For example, right now Baltimore has no power bat (but the mediocre Luke Scott) and are starting Chase Fontaine (hitting .221, finished at .260 last year) over one of the many free first basemen. Boston doesn't even have a consistent second basemen yet they refuse to get Polanco since they can use Kristopher Negron hitting .121. Cleveland's left field is hitting in the .220s and they don't have speed to bat leadoff yet they refuse to pay under a million for Pierre. Anyone else expierencing this? Sorry it was so long. Oh also, I noticed this so heavily after the first year that I have one league where I did not attempt to build my team at all (KC Royals) and instead just waited for 2008 free agency to snag up all the great players for really cheap (i.e players like Rafael Furcal)

09-11-2008, 10:45 PM	#2
chimanbj All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Chicago, by way of Philly Posts: 790	So, in short, you're finding that the AI leaves something to be desired, as far as filling holes is concerned? __________________ People ask if I'm a Cubs or White Sox fan...I tell them, proudly, I'm a Phillies Phan!

09-11-2008, 10:52 PM	#3
SamP Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 31	Well like, in short, the AI leaves holes that have answers readily available. It just bugs me to see good players on the free agent list, as a fan that is, not as a manager.

09-12-2008, 12:08 AM	#5
SamP Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 31	Right, but Juan Pierre has definitely been solid this season if not decent last season. But thing is, when I picked him up he had missed all of 2009 on the free agent list after having hit .296, I had him lined up as a backup but he took over for Matsui and did great, finishing .280, but more importantly led the MLB in stolen bases. So then I let him go and figure the stolen base leader must be signed. I currently have Carl Crawford in Center Field, Matt Holliday in Left Field, and Shane Victorino in Right Field with Hideki Matsui and Vernon Wells on the bench, as well as Jayson Werth in AAA. Hence, at the moment I don't have room for him. However if Shane Victorino struggles I will probably use him from the bench and sign Pierre back. Meanwhile the D'backs have Bay as their left fielder batting .232 following up a .223 season (admittedly a large contract). The Braves have Chris Duncan batting .215 (admittedly a large contract). Boston has rookie David Marks starting batting .241 with a contact rating of 10, gap 8, power 8, eye 14, and K's 10 (out of 20). I look at the other teams if you want. Point is Juan Pierre fits the descrip.