3.5 star players want 5 star money - What can I do?

[mrjordan]

I'm in 1969 and the top player in the league is making about $250,000.

I have two players both of whom want to be paid close to the top player in the league but they are only 3.5 stars. Important players but not worth what they are asking.

I'm in the midst of the pennant race in first place with only a couple of weeks till the playoffs and wondering if there price might come down after the playoffs? Or what should I do?

I've been waiting for a slump but they are both very hot players that I haven't seen slump at all

Thanks

[Brad K]

How old is the contract of the top player? Generally salaries increase faster than anticipated at the time long term contracts are signed.

As far as what to do in your current situation, let them become free agents and see if the price goes down. It probably won't but since you don't want them at their current demand no harm done if it doesn't.

[mrjordan]

thanks I was hoping there was some kind of configuration that miight work, like offering 50% the first year, 75% the second year, etc. or something like that

this guy literally wants $234,000 for 10 years straight And he's 29 years old. An insane ask.

Thanks

[mrjordan]

do players requests soften during the playoffs or after the playoffs at all?

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by mrjordan

do players requests soften during the playoffs or after the playoffs at all?

See above. Possibly after they become free agents. Depends on whether anyone wants to pay what they're asking.

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by mrjordan

thanks I was hoping there was some kind of configuration that miight work, like offering 50% the first year, 75% the second year, etc. or something like that

this guy literally wants $234,000 for 10 years straight And he's 29 years old. An insane ask.

Thanks

Your initial complaint was $234k next year vs a $250k current year top salary. Now you talk about $234k for 10 years during which time $234k becomes worth less and less.

What do you think the top salary will be in 1975? Or next year for that matter? $234k next year compared with this year's max of $250k doesn't mean much. What matters is that next year's max may be $325k and 1975s may be $700k

My guess is that in free agency this guy will get his $234k for 6 or 7 years with perhaps a buyout or player option after year 5.

[JerseyPirate]

Originally Posted by mrjordan

thanks I was hoping there was some kind of configuration that miight work, like offering 50% the first year, 75% the second year, etc. or something like that

this guy literally wants $234,000 for 10 years straight And he's 29 years old. An insane ask.

Thanks

With this type of player, I would offer a 6 year deal with the first 3 years at $200k (or whatever your budget will allow) and then backload the deal higher. If you have budget issues, you could do this...

Year 1 - $150,000
Year 2 - $175,000
Year 3 - $200,000
Year 4 - $225,000
Year 5 - $250,000
Year 6 - $275,000

Average salary is what matters. That's $212,500. That's within 90% of what he is asking for. Most players will accept this type of deal.

In the future, any players entering their final years before free agency should be locked up before the season starts. You will be able to sign them for lower than during the season, especially if they are performing well.

If you don't sign before the season, it is usually best to wait until after the season. If the price is still too high, I roll the dice and wait 3-4 weeks into free agency. If they haven't signed yet, you can get them at a lower price and less years.

[Tazilon]

Originally Posted by mrjordan

I'm in 1969 and the top player in the league is making about $250,000.

I have two players both of whom want to be paid close to the top player in the league but they are only 3.5 stars. Important players but not worth what they are asking.

I'm in the midst of the pennant race in first place with only a couple of weeks till the playoffs and wondering if there price might come down after the playoffs? Or what should I do?

I've been waiting for a slump but they are both very hot players that I haven't seen slump at all

Thanks

To me, this has been a huge problem with OOTP for some time now.

[Brad K]

I don't see a problem. Not being able to sign every player whenever he wants for what the GM thinks is fair is not a problem. Actually its not a problem if some players want more than what's fair. Neither is it a problem if some GMs AI or human, sign those players for what they want.