Casting the trade net to many teams in your league (1 Viewer)

[Addai's Adidas]

Several times a year I will offer up one player to many teams trying to get depth, or maybe a starter, for my team. For example this week I offered up Buckhalter to 5 teams n my league for their backup QB. Two of these teams NEED an RB for this week due to injury or Bye week problems. Now, I know it's not a great trade for any of them, but its a 16 team league, and pickins are slim. So far no takers.

At what point would you find a trade like this effective if you receiving CBuck?

 

[Dreamer]

You have to have hooks in the water or you won't catch fish.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

You have to have hooks in the water or you won't catch fish.

You also need the right bait on the hook. You can't catch a whale with a worm.

 

[Banger]

At what point would you find a trade like this effective if you receiving CBuck?

If Westy is out, otherwise he's pretty useless.

 

[BeachBums]

The art of the trade is something which still eludes me in my second year. People hardly ever trade in my $$ league - not a single trade in the league all of last year - but I'm still trying. I'm trying to cast the net as wide as possible and I think using some decent worms but so far no luck.

I have Jacobs on IR with Ward playing in his place and have been trying to deal them both so I don't have the headache of trying to figure out an RBBC and/or clearing a roster spot for one or the other when Jacobs is back. I'm trying to use bye week problems for other owners as motivation but so far no takers. I've offered Jacobs/Ward/S. Morris for Reggie Bush which was rejected with no comment, Jacobs and Ward for Maroney which was rejected with 'check back next week' and have Jacobs/Ward/Morris for Portis and Jacobs/Ward for M. Lynch (long shot, I know) still to be answered.

In terms of finding motivation for a trade what else besides bye week problems, injury, a rich team trading a starter for depth or a deep team trading depth for a better starter, what else do you look for in putting together a trade offer? Does trading a decent lower ranked backup for an underperforming stud ever work?

 

[DoGdr]

I have played for 8 years ad still struggle gettin traes down. I struggle with what to offer and what to hold out for. I feel like i make offers that are resonable but that benifit me and that arer no as onesided as the some of the other deals I see done but I get few responses or counter offers.

 

[Linton Trust]

i find the easiest trades to be ones where you're offering 2 for 1... or one over performing guy for an underperforming guy...

examples (these aren't real trades i've made):

Lamont Jordan and Jericho Cothchery for Larry Johnson

Ronald Curry for Lee Evans

You also should look through each teams starting lineup for the week to find out if they're starting guys because they 'have too'. If you see someone playing a backup RB or WR who's banged up - offer a trade to him if you have depth. For example i made a small trade a few hours ago... A guy had Ahman Green, Chris Brown and Brandon Jacobs as hiw RBs, but had incredible WR depth. So i offered him Warrick Dunn for Santonio Holmes (who was sitting on his bench) and he did it. I don't believe he would have done this trade any other week other than this week.

 

[Pocket Joker]

You have to offer someone who has value. Buck is hardly worth a roster spot.

 

[analog_hiss]

I have played for 8 years ad still struggle gettin traes down. I struggle with what to offer and what to hold out for. I feel like i make offers that are resonable but that benifit me and that arer no as onesided as the some of the other deals I see done but I get few responses or counter offers.

Me, too. Some of it is my league, though. I have both McNabb and Kitna and have offered either in several trades to the owners only to get turned down. Everyone is seems to think I am trying to "get away with something." I have had two offers from other league members, but both have been for Willie Parker and both have offered underperforing WRs such as Evans and S. Moss. My weakness is WR and RB2. I just cvan't do a 1-1 trade like that, so I try to counter offer, without being rude, but as soon as I do, the door is slammed shut.

 

[Marc Levin]

I have played for 8 years ad still struggle gettin traes down. I struggle with what to offer and what to hold out for. I feel like i make offers that are resonable but that benifit me and that arer no as onesided as the some of the other deals I see done but I get few responses or counter offers.

This rarely has anything to do with you and more to do with your league mates. If you are here, you know it is tough to snake players in a trade in a competitive league and you have enough FF knowledge (or are now getting it) to know the approximate value and outlook for players you target.There are two major obstacles to trades:1) unwilling partner2) "unscrupulous" partner#1 is by far the most common - many folks simply will NOT trade. Either because they feel they can do as well on the WW or because they always fear their partner is taking too much or they place way too high a value on their own players (often b/c of name recognition or draft position - both of which are wholly irrelevant by week 4).#2 is less common, but encompasses the owner who will talk trade all day, but never about players you'd want to acquire, as well as the owner who is using the trade talk to get information out of you, or to leverage a player.If neither of those apply to your leaguemates, then it is something you are doing wrong.

 

[King of the Wolfies]

The art of the trade is something which still eludes me in my second year. People hardly ever trade in my $ league - not a single trade in the league all of last year - but I'm still trying. I'm trying to cast the net as wide as possible and I think using some decent worms but so far no luck.I have Jacobs on IR with Ward playing in his place and have been trying to deal them both so I don't have the headache of trying to figure out an RBBC and/or clearing a roster spot for one or the other when Jacobs is back. I'm trying to use bye week problems for other owners as motivation but so far no takers. I've offered Jacobs/Ward/S. Morris for Reggie Bush which was rejected with no comment, Jacobs and Ward for Maroney which was rejected with 'check back next week' and have Jacobs/Ward/Morris for Portis and Jacobs/Ward for M. Lynch (long shot, I know) still to be answered.In terms of finding motivation for a trade what else besides bye week problems, injury, a rich team trading a starter for depth or a deep team trading depth for a better starter, what else do you look for in putting together a trade offer? Does trading a decent lower ranked backup for an underperforming stud ever work?

I trade ALOT. I can tell you that all these trades suck, so its not surprising the were rejected. You got half the equation right by trying to trade to bye needs but your package of players is just horrid. You want a stud for a rbbc and a backup. The key to pulling off trades is to give up more than you are receiving or at least the perception of such. I tend to start with tons of depth and trade 2-1 for one for a slightly better player and just keep working up the trades. Always ask "would I HONESTLY accept the trade I'm offering?". If NO, they most likely neither will they.

 

[smackdaddies]

I look for teams that match their needs to my strengths.

For example, last year I had Peyton and Drew Brees

Several teams had weak QB slots - I baited the hook with DB

I swung a trade for steve smith (he had other vg recievers) (of course ss fell off at the end of the year, but...)

Both of us needed the trade. I had several other owners think i was ripping him off, but after they looked at both our teams, no one felt it was un reasonable. In the end, he ended up with the better deal.

Earlier I had a RB issue - traded cj for KJ with a different owner than the first trade. Again, the match worked - he had good rb, bad wr, I had good wr, bad RB. KJ got hurt later, but it was still a good trade.

Thats what I always look for.

 

[texasbirdfan]

When discussing trade ideas, it is best to:

State dynasty or re-draft. To me a big diffenence........

 

[Marc Levin]

When discussing trade ideas, it is best to:State dynasty or re-draft. To me a big diffenence........

There is no dynasty icon, so you should assume it is a redraft.YWIA

 

[packersfan]

#1 is by far the most common - many folks simply will NOT trade. Either because they feel they can do as well on the WW or because they always fear their partner is taking too much or they place way too high a value on their own players (often b/c of name recognition or draft position - both of which are wholly irrelevant by week 4).

This is definitely true in my league. This week, for example, I offered Branch/Julius Jones to the guy in last place my league for McGahee/Reggie Brown. I thought that was a fair opening offer given how his WRs are horrible and he has some RB talent to spare. He shot it down and countered with McGahee/Brown for Rudi Johnson and Steve Smith. That told me right there he had no serious interest in trading.What I try to do in terms of trading is find the teams who are struggling at the bottom of the standings and see if they have a surplus of talent they can part with that matches up with what I need and if they have needs that match up with areas where I have good or great depth. On the surface, this would seem to make for the ideal trading partner because these are the teams who should be looking to make some moves - especially if they are in a huge hole in the standings - in order to try and get their seasons back on track. But sometimes those same teams would avoid making any trade and sit tight and hang out at the bottom of the standings. I think it may have something to do with the fear of getting ripped off - which is understandable. But if your team already stinks how much worse off can you get?

 

[Sea Bass]

You have to have hooks in the water or you won't catch fish.

You also need the right bait on the hook. You can't catch a whale with a worm.

There also needs to be fish in the water.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

I have played for 8 years ad still struggle gettin traes down. I struggle with what to offer and what to hold out for. I feel like i make offers that are resonable but that benifit me and that arer no as onesided as the some of the other deals I see done but I get few responses or counter offers.

Me, too. Some of it is my league, though. I have both McNabb and Kitna and have offered either in several trades to the owners only to get turned down. Everyone is seems to think I am trying to "get away with something." I have had two offers from other league members, but both have been for Willie Parker and both have offered underperforing WRs such as Evans and S. Moss. My weakness is WR and RB2. I just cvan't do a 1-1 trade like that, so I try to counter offer, without being rude, but as soon as I do, the door is slammed shut.

This is one of the reasons I write Trader Joe's. Trading is one of the last ways that "sharks" can gain advantages. Knowing how to frame a deal and work a deal is an advantage. Regardless of how good you are, you have to have a trade partner.Read some of the Trade articles we've written and the weekly column, but also feel free to post in Trader Joe's thread in the ACF just to talk general strategy.

 

[softball]

You have to have hooks in the water or you won't catch fish.

You also need the right bait on the hook. You can't catch a whale with a worm.

I swear a guy in 1 of my leagues read this thread:He offered D. Ward and H. Ward for....LT2 and Andre JohnsonHe forgot the bait entirely!

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Here is a good rule of thumb:

Think about if the trade was offered to you.

Would you be interested in trading Reggie Bush for the injured but maybe recovering Jacobs, waiver wire pick-up Ward and Sammie Morris? When you answer "no", then you shouldn't be surprised when your potential trading partner gives you no response.This is before you factor in that most people overvalue their own players.

 

[Chaka]

I use this same philosophy on dating websites.

 

[NeverEnough]

People rarely want to even consider any trades in my experience. I send out emails to guys to discuss a guy they have that I want and how me sending X player to him would help his team more etc & I get no response 99% of the time. I don't get people. These guys consistently lose as well. Idiots.

 

[RamMan]

People rarely want to even consider any trades in my experience. I send out emails to guys to discuss a guy they have that I want and how me sending X player to him would help his team more etc & I get no response 99% of the time. I don't get people. These guys consistently lose as well. Idiots.

I find this approach (bolded part) either spooks or iritates alot of owners. A better approach for me has always been "hey, I'm interested in "XXX" player on your team. What might it take from my roster to get him"? That at least invites discussion and could get the ball rolling toward a successful trade for both parties. When you start telling another owner why YOU think the trade helps HIM, how it imporves his roster, yada yada, they begin to smell a sales job. JMHO...

 

[ImTheScientist]

What works best for me is to initially propose a lot of trades to lots of teams (w/ my team clearly getting the better of the deal). This gets other owners thinking about my players. They eventually always come back w/ counter offers a few weeks later. The other key is having good team depth...this allows for you to have a better shot at getting a deal done.

 

[Todem]

I just recived this offer in a 3 player keeper. I almost fell out of chair in hysterics.

He trades:

Buckhalter

Shaun Mcdonald

Donald Lee

For

Owens

Cooley.

It's garbage like this that really pushes my buttons. I mean come on. I guess he really is fishing.

I am in first place in my division. Would he think I value those guys over TO alone? My g-d some people are tards (or maybe he was hoping I was).

 

[valhallan]

The art of the trade is something which still eludes me in my second year. People hardly ever trade in my $$ league - not a single trade in the league all of last year - but I'm still trying. I'm trying to cast the net as wide as possible and I think using some decent worms but so far no luck.I have Jacobs on IR with Ward playing in his place and have been trying to deal them both so I don't have the headache of trying to figure out an RBBC and/or clearing a roster spot for one or the other when Jacobs is back. I'm trying to use bye week problems for other owners as motivation but so far no takers. I've offered Jacobs/Ward/S. Morris for Reggie Bush which was rejected with no comment, Jacobs and Ward for Maroney which was rejected with 'check back next week' and have Jacobs/Ward/Morris for Portis and Jacobs/Ward for M. Lynch (long shot, I know) still to be answered.In terms of finding motivation for a trade what else besides bye week problems, injury, a rich team trading a starter for depth or a deep team trading depth for a better starter, what else do you look for in putting together a trade offer? Does trading a decent lower ranked backup for an underperforming stud ever work?

I find offering trades with an even number of players on both sides is much more effective than multiple players for one. Chances are the guy will have to drop players to accept your offers above, so he's really giving up 3 players anyway.You have to look at their team as if it were yours and figure out what they might need and what they can part with. A guy in my league was thin at QB in a start 2 league and somewhat set at WR so I offered up Harrington for Berrian, which was accepted right away. I also find that trading for studs is difficult and often will require a stud in return. The key is to figure out which stud you have will not produce as well as the stud you want.

 

[831hoops]

I use this same philosophy on dating websites.

"That's the idea Brad"

 

[Chaka]

I use this same philosophy on dating websites.

"That's the idea Brad"

Drawing a blank but I am guessing it's a funny movie.

 

[Chaka]

People rarely want to even consider any trades in my experience. I send out emails to guys to discuss a guy they have that I want and how me sending X player to him would help his team more etc & I get no response 99% of the time. I don't get people. These guys consistently lose as well. Idiots.

I find this approach (bolded part) either spooks or iritates alot of owners. A better approach for me has always been "hey, I'm interested in "XXX" player on your team. What might it take from my roster to get him"? That at least invites discussion and could get the ball rolling toward a successful trade for both parties. When you start telling another owner why YOU think the trade helps HIM, how it imporves his roster, yada yada, they begin to smell a sales job. JMHO...

I agree. Don't open with being a used car salesman. Just throw something out there that will start a dialogue then you can try to convince them why your guy is special for their team. Don't open with the sales pitch, you gotta get them talking first.

 

[Marc Levin]

I just recived this offer in a 3 player keeper. I almost fell out of chair in hysterics.He trades:BuckhalterShaun McdonaldDonald LeeForOwensCooley.It's garbage like this that really pushes my buttons. I mean come on. I guess he really is fishing.I am in first place in my division. Would he think I value those guys over TO alone? My g-d some people are tards (or maybe he was hoping I was).

Read this thread and then think about that again - he was putting out feelers and telloing you he was interested in your starting WR and your starting TEDid you counter offer for a deal of a player form his squad you like in exchange for your WR2?If not, you are not a williing trade partner and you contribute to the problem of no-trade leagues. ridiculous offers = opening discussion. Not end of negotiations.

 

[Chaka]

Ridiculous offers are not solid opening moves. They are more likely to offend then start dialogue.

 

[Plainsman]

I just recived this offer in a 3 player keeper. I almost fell out of chair in hysterics.He trades:BuckhalterShaun McdonaldDonald LeeForOwensCooley.It's garbage like this that really pushes my buttons. I mean come on. I guess he really is fishing.I am in first place in my division. Would he think I value those guys over TO alone? My g-d some people are tards (or maybe he was hoping I was).

Read this thread and then think about that again - he was putting out feelers and telloing you he was interested in your starting WR and your starting TEDid you counter offer for a deal of a player form his squad you like in exchange for your WR2?If not, you are not a williing trade partner and you contribute to the problem of no-trade leagues. ridiculous offers = opening discussion. Not end of negotiations.

How do you counter that? Why waste the time and effort? That offer is beyond insulting. Its not a low offer trying to spark trade interest. The owner should have just sent a message saying "I think you are an idiot and want to take advantage of you in the worst kind of way... without lube". IMO, these are the owners that ruin trading. They are the ones who are only looking rip you off and are not interested in improving your team to help theirs. Often these owners are the ones who are looking to WIN the trade and not looking how each can IMPROVE. I dont mind "losing" the trade so to say as long as I improve my team.

 

[831hoops]

I use this same philosophy on dating websites.

"That's the idea Brad"

Drawing a blank but I am guessing it's a funny movie.

Fast Times.

 

[Plainsman]

#1 is by far the most common - many folks simply will NOT trade. Either because they feel they can do as well on the WW or because they always fear their partner is taking too much or they place way too high a value on their own players (often b/c of name recognition or draft position - both of which are wholly irrelevant by week 4).

This is definitely true in my league. This week, for example, I offered Branch/Julius Jones to the guy in last place my league for McGahee/Reggie Brown. I thought that was a fair opening offer given how his WRs are horrible and he has some RB talent to spare. He shot it down and countered with McGahee/Brown for Rudi Johnson and Steve Smith. That told me right there he had no serious interest in trading.What I try to do in terms of trading is find the teams who are struggling at the bottom of the standings and see if they have a surplus of talent they can part with that matches up with what I need and if they have needs that match up with areas where I have good or great depth. On the surface, this would seem to make for the ideal trading partner because these are the teams who should be looking to make some moves - especially if they are in a huge hole in the standings - in order to try and get their seasons back on track. But sometimes those same teams would avoid making any trade and sit tight and hang out at the bottom of the standings. I think it may have something to do with the fear of getting ripped off - which is understandable. But if your team already stinks how much worse off can you get?

Come on... that trade is garbage and you know it. Horrible example. I am not the least bit surprised he counter with an equally insulting offer. To me the counter shows he is interested in trading but he feels that you have no interest in trading fairly with him. If he were not interested he would have just ignored. You are the type of owner that makes trading difficult. You were only looking to improve your team. You should be ashamed.McGahee>>>>>JJ

Branch vs Brown as of now Branch is not an much of an upgrade over Brown imo. I think they are pretty equal come the end of the season.

 

[valhallan]

Ridiculous offers are not solid opening moves. They are more likely to offend then start dialogue.

Agreed.

 

[Marc Levin]

Ridiculous offers are not solid opening moves. They are more likely to offend then start dialogue.

Maybe - or they are opening salvos. Read this thread and note the number of people who send offers slanted their way to start a dialogue. If you are "insulted" and shut the conversatio0n down, you are engaging in negative trading.if you respond with an offer regarding a different player than the person had in mind, you are starting a dialogue.Why be "insulted" at a ridiculoius offer out of the blue - i takes no effort or loss of honor to find out WHY the person made such a lowaball offer.

 

[crush304]

I think you really need to look at the other teams roster and think "how can I improve that team"

I find it's a lot easier to get trades done when both team improve with the deal then it is to get trades done when only my team improves

way too many people approach trading by trying to screw the other team over

 

[Plainsman]

Why be "insulted" at a ridiculoius offer out of the blue - i takes no effort or loss of honor to find out WHY the person made such a lowaball offer.

When you say "ridiculous offer", I assume you are referring to an offer that may be severly lopsided (see the TO trade above) always in favor of the offerer, does not address the needs of the team the trade is being offered to (just trying to take advantage of a bad situation), etc. First why would an owner ever offer a trade that they thought you would not accept? Therefore, by offering a trade like this they are essentially saying "I think you are an idiot and I want to profit off of it." How is that not insulting? Also, these owners obviously have not spent anytime trying to find a reasonable angle to improve both teams needs. They are no even in the ballpark with these type of offers. Why waste the time with an owner like this? The only reason the are willing to trade is that they are looking to get something for nothing by ripping you off. Also, how would you counter an insane offer? Do you counter with an equally "insulting"/"ridiculous" offer? Obviously that is only a turn off the owner who was looking to rip you off. You could counter with a reasonable offer but why should you do all the work when they are the ones who came to you? Why should you have to be the one to show your hand and make the first compromise, especially with one who has already shown an unwillingness to be fair? These owners/offers are a waste of time. Period!

 

[The Redbeard]

The original poster mentioned throwing out the same trade to a bunch of teams... I've never been a fan of this. And maybe it's because our league has been together for a while, but I feel uncomfortable making the same offer to a bunch of guys who end up talking to eachother. "He offered you WHAT for Player X? That son of a..." Just me, but I like prospective trade partners to feel that I have seen an opportunity for both of us to get more points on the field each week. And as silly as it sounds, I think a big part of trading has to do with how you present yourself, how you present the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents squad, and how you present the players involved. You're not selling a used car, you are swaping cars with someone becuase your car can help make their life easier. Throw spaghetti to see what sticks has never been as much fun as crafting a specific trade for an owner that plays on their bye weeks, injuries, Homerness, etc.

That being said, I've played with guys who offer up something to everyone and sometimes it works. Ultimately, no one will remember or care about the actual results of your league 10 years down the road. So, if you have fun propossing trades - get your moneys worth and throw Buckhalter in the water. At least it gives you a moment of excitement when you log into your site, thinking that maybe, just maybe, you have just turned a backup running back into a slight upgrade at your backup quarterback.

 

[Chaka]

Ridiculous offers are not solid opening moves. They are more likely to offend then start dialogue.

Maybe - or they are opening salvos. Read this thread and note the number of people who send offers slanted their way to start a dialogue. If you are "insulted" and shut the conversatio0n down, you are engaging in negative trading.if you respond with an offer regarding a different player than the person had in mind, you are starting a dialogue.Why be "insulted" at a ridiculoius offer out of the blue - i takes no effort or loss of honor to find out WHY the person made such a lowaball offer.

No offense Mark, but just because a lot of people do it that way does not mean it isn't stupid.Alienating half your audience with your opening move is counter-productive.

 

[Dirty Hairy]

You have to look at their team as if it were yours and figure out what they might need and what they can part with. A guy in my league was thin at QB in a start 2 league and somewhat set at WR so I offered up Harrington for Berrian, which was accepted right away.

BINGOIf you want to make a trade, look at the other guys roster and offer the players to help his team. "Sell" the players you're offering as help to their team. By the way, I'm in the camp that ridicules offers do not warrant a response. Either state that you're interested without an offer, or make an offer that makes sense for both teams.

 

[madd futher]

I trade ALOT. I can tell you that all these trades suck, so its not surprising the were rejected. You got half the equation right by trying to trade to bye needs but your package of players is just horrid. You want a stud for a rbbc and a backup. The key to pulling off trades is to give up more than you are receiving or at least the perception of such. I tend to start with tons of depth and trade 2-1 for one for a slightly better player and just keep working up the trades. Always ask "would I HONESTLY accept the trade I'm offering?". If NO, they most likely neither will they.

I also trade a lot - 4 trades so far this year (3 leagues). Ridiculously lowball trade offers ARE insulting and are counterproductive MOST OF THE TIME. Not only that, they tend to discourage future trade possibilities. You get a rep as a lowballer, nobody wants to trade with you. The best trades benefit BOTH parties. Most people who don't trade either have no confidence in their ability to evaluate talent and are afraid of getting ripped off, or they overvalue the players they have on thier roster because THEY drafted them. This is especially true for their early draft picks, even if it is clear (to you) the player isn't going to put up 1st round numbers.

 

[madd futher]

This week, for example, I offered Branch/Julius Jones to the guy in last place my league for McGahee/Reggie Brown. I thought that was a fair opening offer given how his WRs are horrible and he has some RB talent to spare. He shot it down and countered with McGahee/Brown for Rudi Johnson and Steve Smith. That told me right there he had no serious interest in trading

You were wrong, packersfan. Branch/JJ for McGahee/Reg Brown is a lowball........not an offer any knowledgeable FFer would accept. He was insulted and shot you back an equally ridiculous counter offer. If you had made your offer an equal value offer to begin with -which helped both of you, he just may have accepted it.

 

[piratemike]

LMFAO @ people getting "insulted" by trade offers. Are you really riding your players' jocks that hard that a trade offer would ever insult you? If someone wants to trade, you should be feeling it out, not falling out of your chair because of how high you are on your players.

 

[madd futher]

You can laugh all you want about people getting insulted by lowball trades, but it is a fact. People DO get insulted. I have probably made about 200 trade offers and completed over 50 trades in the last 5 years. I can tell you that most owners don't take time to 'feel out' what you mean by your lowball offer, they flat-out reject it. If you know your trading partner well enough (and he knows you), that you can lowball and then 'dicker', then fine.......................but most people either accept or reject. Occasionally you will get a counter offer, but only if you have made a pretty fair offer in the 1st place. Usually offers that are too low do not get counter-offers, they get laughed at.

 

[ckalltheway]

I find it's best to just throw the trade on the trade desk without warning and if they're interested they'll let you know. You might get someone too who impulse accepts the deal if they're not winning a lot of games and/or is looking for a change.

I'm only interested in deals that improve my team not dilute them (which a lot of trades end up doing for people.)

I tend to only offer trades to teams that need depth (or if I need depth) or trades that will improve both teams.

But I definitely like casting out a bunch of offers if I want to improve a situation. For instance I'm 3-0 in a 12 team money dynasty (well kinda, we keep 4 every year and 1 has to be under 25 at Super Bowl time) and I wanted to improve my RB situation with Cedric Benson being my RB2 in a start 2 RB situation with Willis as my number one.

Having crazy depth at WR (Ocho Cinco, TO, Calvin Johnson, Welker, Ronald Curry AND Antonio Gates at TE) and an extra 2nd and extra 5th rounder next year I sent out 8 offers packaging Benson, Welker and a 2nd or 5th depending on the RB I was asking for. In all the deals all I was asking for just the RB and their backup if they had them. For some of the trades I proposed the deal then pulled it off the table so the other person would see the proposal in their email but couldn't quite accept outright. Well one of them was for just Edge James (Bens, Welk, 5th) and later the owner replied with a new deal that also offered me Jason Avant and a 10th rounder next year just to make sure I'd do the deal.

Did he "win" this trade? Probably. All I know is I won what I wanted. An upgrade at RB.

And who knows who I'll get in the 10th. Maybe someone like Wes Welker. Like I did this year.

 

[King of the Wolfies]

Being our first year together, my new league mates are already learning how I love to trade. My first "offer" is a lowball offer that I'm not expecting to get accepted. What it does is tell them what players of mine are on the market and which of their players I'm interested in. I usually include a note to that effect. Still, some will not even bother to do anything but reject. those owners will eventually receive the same response if they ever decide to trade. meanwhile, many owners realized what I was doing and sent back equally lopsided "offers". Weeks later, many of the players in those offers end up getting traded between us. I think I'm leading the league by far in the number of trades.

One last way to get a favorable response is to take the the useless player off their hands. Too many people get hung up on the "I gave up 2 playable players and only got 1 in return". I tend to offer 2ish B players for a single A player and a totally useless one. You'd be surprised how much value there is in salary dumping in a cap league. But even in redraft leagues that tactic has made me the biggest trader in every league I've played in. If you can show that the trade will make them 10 points better most weeks while giving up only 7, that trade will get done almost every time.

Seriously, IF you honestly believe that Branch/JJ for McGahee/Reg Brown is a good trade then its no surprise no one wants to trade with you. The ONLY way the trade is close to equal is IF the owner just wants to get rid of Brown and the real deal was Branch/JJ for McGahee with Brown thrown in. And I love Branch this year.

 

[Todem]

I just recived this offer in a 3 player keeper. I almost fell out of chair in hysterics.He trades:BuckhalterShaun McdonaldDonald LeeForOwensCooley.It's garbage like this that really pushes my buttons. I mean come on. I guess he really is fishing.I am in first place in my division. Would he think I value those guys over TO alone? My g-d some people are tards (or maybe he was hoping I was).

Read this thread and then think about that again - he was putting out feelers and telloing you he was interested in your starting WR and your starting TEDid you counter offer for a deal of a player form his squad you like in exchange for your WR2?If not, you are not a williing trade partner and you contribute to the problem of no-trade leagues. ridiculous offers = opening discussion. Not end of negotiations.

Marc,You call that a feeler? Let's get serious for second.

 

[Marc Levin]

Yes, I would treat it as such.

I'd respond with "I assume you know I value Owens much higher than that, because you know I am not stupid. If you thought I would accept that offer, I guess there is litte for us to discuss. However, I'm willing to discuss offers for [insert name of player you are looking to move]. I am not interested in any of the players you offered, but, from your roster, I am interested in players X, Y, Z."

That is my standard response to every lowball trade offer. It puts your partner in the position of proving he's just a jerk rather than you feeling "insulted." If he is willing to discuss parting with one of his starters, then the offer for Owens was an opening salvo. If he thought he could steal a starter from you by offering bench drek, you want to know about that - unless you already know the guy is the #2 type trader I mentioned in my first post (the "unscupulous" one who only wants a trade if he can screw his partner), I'd take that offer as an opening of dialogue.

That said, LMAO at folks getting "insulted" by such offers rather than handling the supposed insult by turning it around. This is a game - demonstrate gamesmanship if you want it in return.

 

[Road Warriors]

Ridiculous offers are not solid opening moves. They are more likely to offend then start dialogue.

Part of the art of framing a deal is a good enough opening offer to start a dialogue. When I see an offer of "my bench crap for your studs" I don't think I have a trade partner on the other side, but rather someone trying to see if there's an idiot to take advantage of. I tend not to respond ( flat reject ) to offers like that. Offers that are close, I'll counter if I see something I like or at least reject with a comment on why.

 

[valhallan]

You can laugh all you want at people being insulted, but the truth is that guys who constantly send lowball offers develop distasteful reputations very quickly. I get e-mails from other owners saying "can you believe he offered me this crap?" quite often and we just laugh.

Offer something reasonable and you will get a reasonable response. Offer something ridiculous and you will likely get a ridiculous response. It ain't complicated.