Free Agent Negotiations

Pelican · 12-16-2022, 01:27 PM

So, the player makes an initial demand, and the GM counters, and the player returns to his original number. Or, in rare cases, the player actually negotiates and suggests a compromise figure.

At this point, the GM is left with the choice of accepting the player's figure and terms, or no deal. The player might send a message seeking further negotiations, if he can't find a better offer.

My beef is that the GM cannot submit his "final" or last offer, formally, so that this figure is committed (if accepted) and listed with the other pending offers extended. Doesn't the player have the right to have the offer submitted, even if he has already rejected it? That's known as money on the table.

As things stand, the GM only has a "Submit Offer" button, when the deal has been closed, or the player is receptive, and wants the formal offer. That makes sense. But it would also make sense for the GM to be able to formally submit the offer that the player tentatively rejected, hoping for better. The GM can always withdraw the offer, at some point in the future, if it has not been accepted (and the GM may have committed money elsewhere, to a different player...).

To me, the inability to submit a formal offer is a weakness in the game. As a lawyer, this ignores how contract negotiations work. An offer remains subject to acceptance until it is withdrawn, or formally accepted - whichever happens first. But the OOTP process prevents the GM from submitting a formal offer, unless the player is ready to accept it. That just does not make sense. It would be unfair to the player for the GM to talk numbers and not be bound.

I'm in a negotiation now where as GM I am reasonably close to the reduced player demand. But when I increase the offer, and the player says "close; but no cigar", I am left with his demand, or no deal. Why not allow me to submit my number, and let him think about it - and I hope find out no other team will pay more. Instead I am left in the never-land of a non-binding "offer" that has not been formally submitted, but does helpfully appear on the negotiation page to remind me what I informally said. What?

Forgive me if I have missed something that takes place in the IRL free agent negotiating process. The inability to unilaterally formally submit an offer makes this more like a forced arbitration process. I don't believe the CBA would mandate this in free agency negotiations. I hope not.

PSUColonel · 12-16-2022, 04:28 PM

Agreed. I think better ways to communicate with players and staff what your intentions (or theirs) are is imperative. This hits at the heart of that. Another quick example I could give is this:

I have a RP I am considering offering a contract to, but I may want to put him in AAA and not on the active roster right away. So, I need to know if this player is going to refuse to be assigned to the minors. (since he has the right). That's something that should be handled up from in the contract offer. The only way I am going to find out though is to potentially waste a million dollars or more by signing him in order to find out.

There needs to be in the more of promises/communication etc in contract negotiations.

Pdubya64 · 12-16-2022, 04:40 PM

I know negotiation is a big task for the game, but frankly, I find many of the encounters frustrating. Not always.

I did a Standard game with the White Sox earlier this fall and of course Jose Abreu wants a top 5 salary to stay. I just never replied as I didn't want him back and unfortunately the "role play" element to negotiations is really lacking.

I would definitely like to see some changes to this aspect of OOTP.

Bobfather · 12-16-2022, 04:53 PM

I also would like a final offer take it or leave it.

Also, a pet peeve, when offering an extension, and a player likes it why does it take weeks for him to sign?

Pelican · 12-17-2022, 08:18 PM

I had another weird one, in negotiating with Kyle Schwarber. He said he liked Philly’s offer (which I had sweetened several times, in the belief other teams were interested, since they were listed in the Offseason screen of top free agents), but “had better not read about it on BNN”. Now, how exactly can I control what a news service within the game might report? There was no leak; but Schwarbs signed with Minnesota for slightly less money than I offered. Of course, this was a 75-87 Phils team that did not make the playoffs, let alone the World Series. And Schwarber did not lead the league in HR. I signed Ian Happ for considerably less money. I’m good.

12-16-2022, 01:27 PM	#1
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,022	Free Agent Negotiations So, the player makes an initial demand, and the GM counters, and the player returns to his original number. Or, in rare cases, the player actually negotiates and suggests a compromise figure. At this point, the GM is left with the choice of accepting the player's figure and terms, or no deal. The player might send a message seeking further negotiations, if he can't find a better offer. My beef is that the GM cannot submit his "final" or last offer, formally, so that this figure is committed (if accepted) and listed with the other pending offers extended. Doesn't the player have the right to have the offer submitted, even if he has already rejected it? That's known as money on the table. As things stand, the GM only has a "Submit Offer" button, when the deal has been closed, or the player is receptive, and wants the formal offer. That makes sense. But it would also make sense for the GM to be able to formally submit the offer that the player tentatively rejected, hoping for better. The GM can always withdraw the offer, at some point in the future, if it has not been accepted (and the GM may have committed money elsewhere, to a different player...). To me, the inability to submit a formal offer is a weakness in the game. As a lawyer, this ignores how contract negotiations work. An offer remains subject to acceptance until it is withdrawn, or formally accepted - whichever happens first. But the OOTP process prevents the GM from submitting a formal offer, unless the player is ready to accept it. That just does not make sense. It would be unfair to the player for the GM to talk numbers and not be bound. I'm in a negotiation now where as GM I am reasonably close to the reduced player demand. But when I increase the offer, and the player says "close; but no cigar", I am left with his demand, or no deal. Why not allow me to submit my number, and let him think about it - and I hope find out no other team will pay more. Instead I am left in the never-land of a non-binding "offer" that has not been formally submitted, but does helpfully appear on the negotiation page to remind me what I informally said. What? Forgive me if I have missed something that takes place in the IRL free agent negotiating process. The inability to unilaterally formally submit an offer makes this more like a forced arbitration process. I don't believe the CBA would mandate this in free agency negotiations. I hope not. __________________ Pelican OOTP 2020-? ”Hard to believe, Harry.” Last edited by Pelican; 12-16-2022 at 01:39 PM.

12-16-2022, 04:40 PM	#3
Pdubya64 Major Leagues Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Staunton, VA Posts: 491	I know negotiation is a big task for the game, but frankly, I find many of the encounters frustrating. Not always. I did a Standard game with the White Sox earlier this fall and of course Jose Abreu wants a top 5 salary to stay. I just never replied as I didn't want him back and unfortunately the "role play" element to negotiations is really lacking. I would definitely like to see some changes to this aspect of OOTP. __________________ "Chew, if only you could see what I've seen with your eyes." - Roy Batty Blade Runner

12-16-2022, 04:53 PM	#4
Bobfather All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Boston Ma. Posts: 1,683	I also would like a final offer take it or leave it. Also, a pet peeve, when offering an extension, and a player likes it why does it take weeks for him to sign? __________________ I play out every game—one pitch mode.

12-17-2022, 08:18 PM	#5
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,022	I had another weird one, in negotiating with Kyle Schwarber. He said he liked Philly’s offer (which I had sweetened several times, in the belief other teams were interested, since they were listed in the Offseason screen of top free agents), but “had better not read about it on BNN”. Now, how exactly can I control what a news service within the game might report? There was no leak; but Schwarbs signed with Minnesota for slightly less money than I offered. Of course, this was a 75-87 Phils team that did not make the playoffs, let alone the World Series. And Schwarber did not lead the league in HR. I signed Ian Happ for considerably less money. I’m good. __________________ Pelican OOTP 2020-? ”Hard to believe, Harry.”

12-16-2022, 04:28 PM	#2
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 13,107	Agreed. I think better ways to communicate with players and staff what your intentions (or theirs) are is imperative. This hits at the heart of that. Another quick example I could give is this: I have a RP I am considering offering a contract to, but I may want to put him in AAA and not on the active roster right away. So, I need to know if this player is going to refuse to be assigned to the minors. (since he has the right). That's something that should be handled up from in the contract offer. The only way I am going to find out though is to potentially waste a million dollars or more by signing him in order to find out. There needs to be in the more of promises/communication etc in contract negotiations.