Any success using the Braves model of contract extensions?

22tbrads22 · 08-27-2022, 08:57 PM

I know I’m previous versions it was much easier to lock up young stars for long term deals, I find it the opposite in the past couple versions of the game to do so. Has anyone had success offers 8-12 year deals early in a players career for lower AAV?

Pelican · 08-28-2022, 09:52 AM

I have tried to be proactive with young players, pre-arbitration, with excellent potential. I have found that they normally have no interest in a long-term deal. They want a one-year contract. Even when I push the salary numbers and/or years to the limit, add player option years, it is tough to do. I am offering way more than the player could possibly earn over the next several years, but the player (or his agent) seems to focus on the potential higher compensation after that. I feel like I end up bidding against myself.

It seems to be easier to negotiate while the player is a rookie, and even in Spring Training, based on potential. But that of course is much more of a crapshoot IRL and in OOTP. The Phillies tried it with Scott Kingery, a can’t miss rookie, and they got one good year (thus far - still paying out).

Amusing to try this in my 1938 Season sim, with low Depression-era salaries and many teams struggling financially. The response is an OOTP version of “WTF”. The players are puzzled at why any owner would go beyond the present season. It just was not done very often. Oddly it did work with several Negro League players I managed to sign with the color line deactivated. Of course they were treated as free agents.

I would say keep trying. Within reason, it makes sense for the team financially, to have a known obligation, and a good player locked up, avoiding arbitration and service time issues, that can be a distraction. Prudent for the owner; but the player will generally believe he can do better taking his chances.

billyray1984 · 08-29-2022, 09:26 AM

It really depends on the age of the player, his service time and his personality : low greed/high loyalty players will tend to want to sign long term.

In my current save, I signed a guy who made the MLB roster at age 21 after destroying AA for half a season to a ten year deal at an AAV of around 20 MIL without any player option or opt out, so it can be done, but it's rare.

This guy is 80 contact, 80 gap, 60 HR, 40 eye, 60 Avoid K with no bad splits and he used to be a good at 2nd base (now not so much). Perennial all star who won the mvp in his third year in the league, so not a scrub.

Pelican · 08-30-2022, 12:06 AM

I was just reading an analysis in Baseball Prospectus of the new Julio Rodriguez contract with Seattle. It is complicated with options and contingencies, but basically it promises to pay him something close to what he is worth based on performance. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s creative. It would be hard to duplicate in OOTP. After this the “Braves model” many be called the “Mariners” model”.

Brad K · 08-30-2022, 06:27 AM

In my current safe I've signed Barry Bonds to a pair of contracts in the 6 to 8 year range (I'd have to check to see the exact terms) and he's never been the highest paid player in baseball.

08-27-2022, 08:57 PM	#1
22tbrads22 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 153	Any success using the Braves model of contract extensions? I know I’m previous versions it was much easier to lock up young stars for long term deals, I find it the opposite in the past couple versions of the game to do so. Has anyone had success offers 8-12 year deals early in a players career for lower AAV?

08-28-2022, 09:52 AM	#2
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,053	I have tried to be proactive with young players, pre-arbitration, with excellent potential. I have found that they normally have no interest in a long-term deal. They want a one-year contract. Even when I push the salary numbers and/or years to the limit, add player option years, it is tough to do. I am offering way more than the player could possibly earn over the next several years, but the player (or his agent) seems to focus on the potential higher compensation after that. I feel like I end up bidding against myself. It seems to be easier to negotiate while the player is a rookie, and even in Spring Training, based on potential. But that of course is much more of a crapshoot IRL and in OOTP. The Phillies tried it with Scott Kingery, a can’t miss rookie, and they got one good year (thus far - still paying out). Amusing to try this in my 1938 Season sim, with low Depression-era salaries and many teams struggling financially. The response is an OOTP version of “WTF”. The players are puzzled at why any owner would go beyond the present season. It just was not done very often. Oddly it did work with several Negro League players I managed to sign with the color line deactivated. Of course they were treated as free agents. I would say keep trying. Within reason, it makes sense for the team financially, to have a known obligation, and a good player locked up, avoiding arbitration and service time issues, that can be a distraction. Prudent for the owner; but the player will generally believe he can do better taking his chances.

08-29-2022, 09:26 AM	#3
billyray1984 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 216	It really depends on the age of the player, his service time and his personality : low greed/high loyalty players will tend to want to sign long term. In my current save, I signed a guy who made the MLB roster at age 21 after destroying AA for half a season to a ten year deal at an AAV of around 20 MIL without any player option or opt out, so it can be done, but it's rare. This guy is 80 contact, 80 gap, 60 HR, 40 eye, 60 Avoid K with no bad splits and he used to be a good at 2nd base (now not so much). Perennial all star who won the mvp in his third year in the league, so not a scrub.

08-30-2022, 12:06 AM	#4
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,053	I was just reading an analysis in Baseball Prospectus of the new Julio Rodriguez contract with Seattle. It is complicated with options and contingencies, but basically it promises to pay him something close to what he is worth based on performance. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s creative. It would be hard to duplicate in OOTP. After this the “Braves model” many be called the “Mariners” model”.

08-30-2022, 06:27 AM	#5
Brad K Banned Join Date: May 2016 Location: St Petersburg Florida USA Posts: 6,693 Infractions: 0/2 (4)	In my current safe I've signed Barry Bonds to a pair of contracts in the 6 to 8 year range (I'd have to check to see the exact terms) and he's never been the highest paid player in baseball.