How do I get money for free agents?

[Mr. Baseball]

I currently have about $99,000 for extensions this season but $0 for free agents. Is there a way to get more money for free agents? I'm sure there is, just wasn't sure. I really need it!

[madJ]

You need to dump salary to get more free money for free agents. I.e. you need to trade away a player or two. When the sum of projected budget room and cash is positive, you'll have money for free agents.

[hfield007]

You have money for extensions because it is projected that the following season you have available budget. However the current season your budget is already over or at the threshold that you can no longer spend.

Like madJ said, trade away players with large contracts to free up space if you want money. If you are in a rebuilding stage this is easier to do, trade for prospects.

[Avindian]

If you're playing with scouting or player development budgets, you can borrow from Peter to pay Paul, as it were, if one or two free agents would get you over the top.

[Fyrestorm3]

Originally Posted by Avindian

If you're playing with scouting or player development budgets, you can borrow from Peter to pay Paul, as it were, if one or two free agents would get you over the top.

This is correct, but you can only change those budgets in the offseason or preseason. Just FYI.

[jazzrack]

or you can just edit yourself some cash


what

[pjh5165]

If you have any arbitration eligible players you want to extend, sign them to a deal with a first year salary that is lower than their arbitration estimate and you'll free up the difference.

[madJ]

Originally Posted by pjh5165

If you have any arbitration eligible players you want to extend, sign them to a deal with a first year salary that is lower than their arbitration estimate and you'll free up the difference.

But that only applies to the available money for free agents if you just finished the season and are prior to the arbitration hearings. Otherwise it will only influence the money available for extensions.

[goroyals]

Originally Posted by jazzrack

or you can just edit yourself some cash


what

"Sir, with these new counterf...I mean, "money production" machines, we can afford to really be a buyer on the market this year."

[mmarra82]

I have a tough time understanding how I have money for free agents, but no money for extensions.

[pjh5165]

Originally Posted by madJ

But that only applies to the available money for free agents if you just finished the season and are prior to the arbitration hearings. Otherwise it will only influence the money available for extensions.

Right, I assume he's entering the offseason

[madJ]

Originally Posted by mmarra82

I have a tough time understanding how I have money for free agents, but no money for extensions.

First guess: arbitration eligible players who would get a raise to their current salary leading to an overall payroll increase.
Second guess: backloaded contracts leading to an overall payroll increase.
Third guess: estimated budget decrease for the next season due to financial loss over the season and due to a less than generous owner.

[Fyrestorm3]

Originally Posted by mmarra82

I have a tough time understanding how I have money for free agents, but no money for extensions.

Easy. Your payroll is higher next year than it is this year. Thus, you can't extend players, because that would be raising next year's payroll, but you can sign Free Agents, which only increases this year's payroll.

You can check this in the Salaries tab on the Front Office page.

[bleachercreature]

Hey Mr. Baseball:

There's a hole in your swing!

[jazzrack]

Originally Posted by goroyals

"Sir, with these new counterf...I mean, "money production" machines, we can afford to really be a buyer on the market this year."

works for the fed