Unable to Sign Free Agent

DevilRay · 07-08-2013, 03:56 PM

I am trying to sign a free agent pitcher to a major league contract in an online league. He started out asking for around $800,000 and now it's up to $1,800,000. I keep increasing the offer, he doesn't accept it, and then asks for the same amount I'm offering. Has anyone else seen this? I know there's been issues with free agents asking for minor league contracts. Any suggestions on how to get him to sign? I've tried adding bonuses, meeting his offer and increasing the offer, to no avail. It's been going on for about 3 weeks now.

Bluenoser · 07-08-2013, 04:38 PM

Yes, I see it sometimes. Nothing wrong with it at all, very realistic. Some players just don't want to sign with your organization.

DevilRay · 07-08-2013, 05:15 PM

Ok. But then why does he keep negotiating with me, asking me to offer more money, and then asking for the same amount that I'm offering?

JohnHoward · 07-08-2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilRay

Ok. But then why does he keep negotiating with me, asking me to offer more money, and then asking for the same amount that I'm offering?

He is not asking for the incentives. Zero out the incentives and just offer him the straight salary and see if he will sign.

DevilRay · 07-08-2013, 05:27 PM

Good point. I'll try that. Do you think I should incrase the salary offer too or just go with what he's asking for?

JohnHoward · 07-08-2013, 05:28 PM

Try to match his offer exactly. I hope this works!

Bluenoser · 07-08-2013, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilRay

Ok. But then why does he keep negotiating with me, asking me to offer more money, and then asking for the same amount that I'm offering?

My best guess - because it's a computer program, and players are programmed to negotiate when given an FA offer. I'm no programmer, but I'm sure the player has other offers, and the AI is programmed to consider all offers when doing its calculations. Even though he won't accept your offer, it's still a valid offer because it's still on the table. So he continues to negotiate with all teams until a decision is reached, or you withdraw your offer.

In layman's terms - players are programmed to continue negotiations on all offers until decision/withdraw made.

Plus - he might be "playing you" or "using you" against other teams in his negotiations with them.

DevilRay · 07-08-2013, 06:24 PM

You're probably right. I'm sure he has other offers and he may be playing me against them. It's just that we're playing this league one game at a time, following the real MLB schedule, so we're at July 8, so it seems like the negotiating has been going on a long time (3 game weeks). I have another free agent doing basically the same thing, so it may be normal.

Bluenoser · 07-08-2013, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilRay

You're probably right. I'm sure he has other offers and he may be playing me against them. It's just that we're playing this league one game at a time, following the real MLB schedule, so we're at July 8, so it seems like the negotiating has been going on a long time (3 game weeks). I have another free agent doing basically the same thing, so it may be normal.

Ok, I assumed this was during off-season FA, sorry.

I have seen FA's take a while during the season too, just had one that took 3 sims (7 days a sim) to finally sign. So he may just be hummimg and hawing a bit, but you should just try hitting "meet demand" and see what he does then.

07-08-2013, 03:56 PM	#1
DevilRay Bat Boy Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 13	Unable to Sign Free Agent I am trying to sign a free agent pitcher to a major league contract in an online league. He started out asking for around $800,000 and now it's up to $1,800,000. I keep increasing the offer, he doesn't accept it, and then asks for the same amount I'm offering. Has anyone else seen this? I know there's been issues with free agents asking for minor league contracts. Any suggestions on how to get him to sign? I've tried adding bonuses, meeting his offer and increasing the offer, to no avail. It's been going on for about 3 weeks now. Attached Images

07-08-2013, 04:38 PM	#2
Bluenoser Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In The Moment Posts: 14,477	Yes, I see it sometimes. Nothing wrong with it at all, very realistic. Some players just don't want to sign with your organization.

07-08-2013, 05:15 PM	#3
DevilRay Bat Boy Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 13	Ok. But then why does he keep negotiating with me, asking me to offer more money, and then asking for the same amount that I'm offering?

07-08-2013, 05:27 PM	#5
DevilRay Bat Boy Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 13	Good point. I'll try that. Do you think I should incrase the salary offer too or just go with what he's asking for?

07-08-2013, 05:28 PM	#6
JohnHoward All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 624	Try to match his offer exactly. I hope this works!

07-08-2013, 06:24 PM	#8
DevilRay Bat Boy Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 13	You're probably right. I'm sure he has other offers and he may be playing me against them. It's just that we're playing this league one game at a time, following the real MLB schedule, so we're at July 8, so it seems like the negotiating has been going on a long time (3 game weeks). I have another free agent doing basically the same thing, so it may be normal.