Lowball Initial Trade Offers! (1 Viewer)

[runner06]

Salary negotiation books I've read say studies show the person that talks dollar value first usually loses. With that in mind I usually put it on the other person to talk value first. I approach with "What do you want for X?" or "Who on my team are you interested in". If they approach me I just say "Give an offer and we can see what we can do"Things that irritate me are:When I counter a lowball offer and the owner counters with a similar lowball or just says forget it. Ex. Redraft last year. Offer: Troy Williamson for Brandon Jacobs, Counter: Jennings For Jacobs. He counters with Ronald Curry for Jacobs People that try to trade me all their backups that aren't startable for a stud. Spamming the same trade. Booted this guy from the league. He'd send the same trade to a team 30+ times, he hoped the person would accidently hit accept rather than decline. I booted him.

Yeah, low-balling doesn't bother me. I make an initial low-ball offers myself sometimes.Like you, things I do find annoying is when someone counters my counter with another lowball offer or offers me the same trade again and again. For example, mid-season last year I was offered the same two players 4 or 5 times for Calvin Johnson and Chris Johnson in a 3-keeper league. It didn't seem like a terrible offer at the time, it just wasn't one I had any interest in doing (Terrell Owens and not sure who the other was). I told him the first time I wasn't interested in doing the deal, but he just kept offering it anyways.One other thing that does annoy me is when an owner attempts to pitch a lowball offer as a great offer for me (if I have dealt with them before). I get annoyed if someone tries to convince me that trading Chris Johnson in return for Darren Sproles is somehow a win-win for both of us (as the main two players in the trade). Like I said though, I don't get annoyed if they just lowball me with that offer, I just don't want some b.s. write-up to go with it.

 

[fightingillini]

People would do a lot better in their trades if the actually tried COMMUNICATING with the other owners in their league.....Pick up a phone and talk Football with the other owner......pretty easy to find out how they view their team and players and get to a position where you can either make a deal while talking or to follow up with a specific trade offer that will work for both teams.IMO sending lowball offers or stupid emails is the lazy approach - and as a result doesn't work very well

I make most of my trades with the commish of my league, and we usually get on the phone once a week during the FF season and we talk about what's going on in our league, as well as in the NFL. I know exactly what it takes to make a deal with him, so we frequently get trades done quickly with very little haggling involved. Personally, I don't get offended with lowball offers....I just LOL, and then counteroffer to what I think the true value of that player my leaguemate is offering......many times that stops the communication. I tell guys in my league.....you got to give up talent to get talent. I tell them when structuring a deal with me....to see it from my point of view....will this deal improve MY team? You got to convince me that the trade is in my best interest.I also take some time to analyze EVERY trade made in my league. You will get a sense of how your leaguemates value certain players or situations, and why they made certain trades. I would ask myself....would I have accepted that trade if I had that team? My league makes about 20 trades a year, and I have played with all these guys for at least 3 years....so I have an idea of how my leaguemates value certain players. I know which ones have a problem letting their early round draft pick go, even though he's been a bust. I know the ones that hit the panic button and start wheeling and dealing if they get off to an 0-3 start. I know the ones that value players based on past stats only.....those are the guys that I trade players to when my guy gets off to a great start but it's clear they won't sustain it. Once you get a feel for how your leaguemates value players, you can start taking advantage of them when the situation is favorable for you.

 

[Da Guru]

The problem in most FF leagues is that non-shark owners always tend to over-value their own players..or are fearful of making a bad trade. Also they tend to worry that because they drafted a guy in the second rd they can`t trade him for a player who was taken later or was a FA pickup.

After the first Sunday you can throw out where any player was taken in the draft.

In my 14 team league that has been together 16 years trading has come to a standstill. The same 2-3 teams are always trying to make a deal, the other 10-11 teams never initiate anything. Then there are the 2-3 teams that wil only trade when it is too late to make a difference in the season.

 

[stp-d]

The problem in most FF leagues is that non-shark owners always tend to over-value their own players..or are fearful of making a bad trade. Also they tend to worry that because they drafted a guy in the second rd they can`t trade him for a player who was taken later or was a FA pickup.After the first Sunday you can throw out where any player was taken in the draft.In my 14 team league that has been together 16 years trading has come to a standstill. The same 2-3 teams are always trying to make a deal, the other 10-11 teams never initiate anything. Then there are the 2-3 teams that wil only trade when it is too late to make a difference in the season.

sounds like it's time to redraft?

 

[kurtrudder]

I do not get offended by low-ball offers, but I will make it clear that the offer is far from what would be expected to get a deal done. I'm always interested in talking trades, especially if it could actually benefit my team. I'll trade anyone on my roster for the right price, or even a very fair price (ie: lower than I would actually prefer) if it works for my team.

I also have learned to recognize what types of players other GM's are. Everyone is a little different in their approach to the game and how they view player values. There are a couple guys in my league who always start discussions with "What would it take to get so-and-so off of you?" There are those who low-ball. There are others that make fair offers. Then there are others who just go out and get who they want and don't beat around the bush. I happen to be one of these guys. I don't really make many trades....usually about one major trade a year. Each one has been initiated by me with very top-heavy offers right from the start. Potential partners know right away that I'm serious and that I want to do business. It has always worked and I've been pleased with the results to say the least. Each trade was viewed by other league members as "You overpaid way too much!" Hindsight reveals I got great deals as each trade has kept my team competitive and championship caliber for years now.



I've now gained a reputation as someone who is willing to overpay, so more recently trading has gotten a little difficult, but that's okay.

I have experienced making what I thought was a fair (but not overkill) offer and then having that owner get irate because he was insulted at what he perceived as a low-ball offer. Oh well. If we aren't even close, then that's okay. Maybe next time.

Good luck.

I play in multiple leagues with someone who has a very similar philosophy to this and he is always making deals.....not for the sake of trading or anything like that....trades that help both teams. Overall, he is quite successful at improving his team via trades. I'd be interested to know from Ruffrodys05 why you think it's getting more difficult for you to make trades? Is it because everyone wants to make a deal with you where they think you overpay? I also play in multiple leagues with another guy who myself and others classify as a serial low-baller. He will either open up discussions with either a straight up low ball offer or will always asking me what I would want in return for Player X......he never seems to come up with a reasonable offer off the bat. I've since discovered over time that he is a lawyer so perhaps its got to do with his negotiating style. Since we play in a number of leagues together, I feel like he should have worked me out a bit by now so when the next low ball offer comes along, it does initially feel like he is insulting my intelligence. The thing is though, over the past 3-4 years, we have probably made at least a dozen trades probably because I will counter with some conversation as to what would be a more reasonable trade offer.....or i might low ball him straight back which he isn't offended by....we just keep the lines of communication open and if we can work something out, then we do.

Since I am in Australia I don't have the opportunity to phone other players in my league....I can see how this would be a very successful method of having trade negotiations and it offers much more insight than emails alone. Since I have to use the latter, then i need to use all the tools at my disposal like carefully studying the rosters of potential trading partners and seeing how possible trades can work for their teams too. To me and many others, this is probably just common sense but not everyone does it. That's not to say that I don't send the odd low ball offer myself but it's always as a starting point of moving towards something that is reasonable value for both.

Bottom line for me is that communication is the key to all of this. If your offended by someone's low ball offer, there are ways of telling them. It gets owners talking and you can see if they learn something from your conversation. I very rarely encounter to same owner during trade negotiations come back again with another low ball offer after we have gotten the ball rolling. I think this is because I've already clearly communicated my point of view to them. You can do this and still play things close to your chest if necessary. Just keep talking and then any initial offense that might have been taken from any offer can usually be explained away.

 

[FUBAR]

I also play in multiple leagues with another guy who myself and others classify as a serial low-baller. He will either open up discussions with either a straight up low ball offer or will always asking me what I would want in return for Player X......he never seems to come up with a reasonable offer off the bat. I've since discovered over time that he is a lawyer so perhaps its got to do with his negotiating style. Since we play in a number of leagues together, I feel like he should have worked me out a bit by now so when the next low ball offer comes along, it does initially feel like he is insulting my intelligence. The thing is though, over the past 3-4 years, we have probably made at least a dozen trades probably because I will counter with some conversation as to what would be a more reasonable trade offer.....or i might low ball him straight back which he isn't offended by....we just keep the lines of communication open and if we can work something out, then we do.

As a lawyer, it probably is his negotiating style. Whether you're in criminal or civil negotiations, a good lawyer rarely offers a great deal immediately. We need room to work. My style of negotiating legal deals is slightly different than most, but that's mostly because I have a really good relationship with the defense attorneys and they know I just want to do speedy justice and go golfing, with them. I see nothing wrong with opening with "what would you want for X", he may not be able to readily identify the area you will feel a need to address or maybe his strength doesn't match well, or maybe he just wants to know what you're interesting in. You've done many deals with him, so it appears he's figured out how to work with you.

 

[Pickle Rody]

I do not get offended by low-ball offers, but I will make it clear that the offer is far from what would be expected to get a deal done. I'm always interested in talking trades, especially if it could actually benefit my team. I'll trade anyone on my roster for the right price, or even a very fair price (ie: lower than I would actually prefer) if it works for my team.

I also have learned to recognize what types of players other GM's are. Everyone is a little different in their approach to the game and how they view player values. There are a couple guys in my league who always start discussions with "What would it take to get so-and-so off of you?" There are those who low-ball. There are others that make fair offers. Then there are others who just go out and get who they want and don't beat around the bush. I happen to be one of these guys. I don't really make many trades....usually about one major trade a year. Each one has been initiated by me with very top-heavy offers right from the start. Potential partners know right away that I'm serious and that I want to do business. It has always worked and I've been pleased with the results to say the least. Each trade was viewed by other league members as "You overpaid way too much!" Hindsight reveals I got great deals as each trade has kept my team competitive and championship caliber for years now.



I've now gained a reputation as someone who is willing to overpay, so more recently trading has gotten a little difficult, but that's okay.

I have experienced making what I thought was a fair (but not overkill) offer and then having that owner get irate because he was insulted at what he perceived as a low-ball offer. Oh well. If we aren't even close, then that's okay. Maybe next time.

Good luck.

I play in multiple leagues with someone who has a very similar philosophy to this and he is always making deals.....not for the sake of trading or anything like that....trades that help both teams. Overall, he is quite successful at improving his team via trades. I'd be interested to know from Ruffrodys05 why you think it's getting more difficult for you to make trades? Is it because everyone wants to make a deal with you where they think you overpay?

(Just to preface the discussion here: My league is a 12-team keeper league, keep 5 - no more than 2 per position.) There are two lines of thought I have for my small trading dilemma, depending on who initiates the trade, myself or the other guy. Like I said, I don't trade much at all, so the trades I have made have been initiated by me with a clear intent on getting exactly what I want to improve my team with as little haggling as possible. All of my major trades have been for top players who I felt could lead me to a championship and were made during the off-season. A small amount of history without tooting my own horn:2004 acquired Peyton Manning - gave up Culpepper, McGahee and Koren Robinson - (Peyton 49 TD's, made championship)

2005 acquired Shaun Alexander - gave up 2005 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks - (Alexander 28 TD's, made championship)

2006 acquired Reggie Wayne - gave up 2006 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 2007 1st, 2nd round picks - (won championship)

2007 no big trades - 5th place

2008 acquired Larry Johnson - gave up 2008 1st, 2nd & 2009 1st, 2nd round picks - 5th place (I realized early in the season that I missed the mark with Johnson, so......)

2008 mid-season, acquired Steve Slaton - gave up Larry Johnson, 2009 1st & 3rd round picks (So basically I gave up [3]-1st rounders, [2]-2nd rounders and a 3rd rounder for Slaton)

1st line of thought: So as you can see, I overpaid for each player at the time of the deal. Because of my (now legendary) history of over-paying, now when I go after a player I want, the guy receiving my offer will haggle with me and hold-out, trying to get me to pay more because they know if I really want the player, I might actually pay more. Another side effect has been that some guys begin to think that if I am so "gung-ho" about acquiring a certain player I must be onto something. They start to look at their player a little differently, saying to themselves (and me sometimes) "Gee, if Rody wants this guy so bad, he must be onto something here. Maybe I shouldn't just discount this player so quickly."

2nd line of thought: Because I do over-pay (for players I want), a number of league-mates pretty much think that I will demand over-payment for my own players in a trade initiated by them, so they do not make any offers at all, even if they are interested in acquiring one of my studs. I've repeatedly stated to the league that I'd be willing to trade anybody on my roster for a fair price, but I rarely get any offers. This line of thinking by others tends to bother me a little bit because I'm very reasonable to deal with when it comes to trading. I'm very clear about how I value players on all the fantasy teams and I don't look to "come-out-on-top" of every deal. As long as the deal is fair, I just might bite. These guys basically think that because I gave up so much to get the players I have, I must want equal return on my investments, because that is what they would want.

So, to answer your question in a nutshell, YES, these guys want to feel that I overpaid for their player and that they weren't left off the over-payment train. I've actually had one owner tell me flat out, "You over-pay for all your players, so you can over-pay for Brees." Okay dude, I made you a more-than-fair offer, that's as far as I'm going. Brees is still on his team and he is kicking himself now for not making the deal. (This guy also turned down a ridiculously top-heavy trade offer from another league-mate for Steven Jackson the year before which he is also regretting turning down.) By the way, these two players and Larry Fitzgerald are all that is worth anything on his team (he is perennially a non-playoff team) and the picks he would have acquired for either player would have gone a tremendous way towards improving his team as a whole.

When I do get an offer for a trade (which is rare) the offer is usually top-loaded in favor of the offering team. Something along the lines of: "I'll give you Cedric Benson and Vernon Davis for Peyton Manning and a 2nd round pick." That's an example of course, but you get the idea.

All-in-all, the attitude of the other league members has not derailed my trade efforts. If it is a player I want, I'll still go out and offer a fair+ deal and I'm willing to go higher if need be. I try to keep it within reason, but if I really think the player is going to benefit my team (otherwise I wouldn't be seeking a trade for him) I'll overpay without a second thought.

This year, I'm working on acquiring Ronnie Brown from another owner who was intending on dropping him. I wanted him to protect Brown so I could add him to my RB stable after cut-down day. I was willing to give him 1st & 2nd's in 2010 and 1st & 2nd's in 2011. (Since he was only intending to keep MJD as his lone RB keeper, to ask him to keep Brown also, it means that he'll have to drop somebody else from another position he wanted to keep and I feel compensation is due in that regard also.) He is now keeping Brown for himself and although the possibility of a trade is still there, it won't happen until draft day, if at all. I'll concede that I probably will not acquire Brown for '09.

Rody

 

[Darker Knight]

The problem in most FF leagues is that non-shark owners always tend to over-value their own players..or are fearful of making a bad trade. Also they tend to worry that because they drafted a guy in the second rd they can`t trade him for a player who was taken later or was a FA pickup.After the first Sunday you can throw out where any player was taken in the draft.In my 14 team league that has been together 16 years trading has come to a standstill. The same 2-3 teams are always trying to make a deal, the other 10-11 teams never initiate anything. Then there are the 2-3 teams that wil only trade when it is too late to make a difference in the season.

sounds like it's time to redraft?

so where do you stand on the lowball offers now?

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Whoever sends the first real offer usually loses the negotiation.

A low ball offer, or even worse a "What do you want for XX?", is nothing more than a conversation starter. If I get lowballed, I send an equally ridiculous counter back to them. If I get asked what I want for a player, I tell them "A fair offer".

If someone approaches me about a player, they are going to make the first real offer. I do the same if I approach someone else seeking out a player.

 

[bcr8f]

I'm wary of anyone who plays such games. When offered such trades I take extra care in trading with those teams. They don't do themselves any favors by making lowball offers.

 

[TheFanatic]

I'm wary of anyone who plays such games. When offered such trades I take extra care in trading with those teams. They don't do themselves any favors by making lowball offers.

 

[bcr8f]

The problem in most FF leagues is that non-shark owners always tend to over-value their own players..or are fearful of making a bad trade. Also they tend to worry that because they drafted a guy in the second rd they can`t trade him for a player who was taken later or was a FA pickup.

After the first Sunday you can throw out where any player was taken in the draft.

In my 14 team league that has been together 16 years trading has come to a standstill. The same 2-3 teams are always trying to make a deal, the other 10-11 teams never initiate anything. Then there are the 2-3 teams that wil only trade when it is too late to make a difference in the season.

NFL teams don't do that so I don't either. Yours is a nice sounding strategy but doesn't always work that well in the real world. NFL teams will try and give high hicks the job, some bend over backwards to do it. You can't totally consider players busts the first week of the season. Starters can always lose their jobs.I always keep in the back of my mind where players are drafted.

 

[Instinctive]

I'm wary of anyone who plays such games. When offered such trades I take extra care in trading with those teams. They don't do themselves any favors by making lowball offers.

What if there is a note attached like this one:James Jones

Devin Thomas

Malcolm Kelly

Justin Gage

2nd round pick

Matt Leinart

Rashard Mendenhall

"Hey, I noticed you have Driver and figured I would see if you wanted to lock up his replacement? The guys I asked for are the people I am interested in."

How do you respond to those?

 

[DarkManX]

It seems to me alot of players believe that quantity over quality will suffice in an offer. Alot of the time I will receive an offer with 2 mediocre players for a stud. Now I dont get insulted but its always good for a laugh. Most of the time I will reply with a lowball offer of my own or not bother.

In my experience it takes time to work out an offer, understand what both parties want or need and go from there. Especially in a keeper/dynasty when draft picks are involved.

 

[Instinctive]

It seems to me alot of players believe that quantity over quality will suffice in an offer. Alot of the time I will receive an offer with 2 mediocre players for a stud. Now I dont get insulted but its always good for a laugh. Most of the time I will reply with a lowball offer of my own or not bother.In my experience it takes time to work out an offer, understand what both parties want or need and go from there. Especially in a keeper/dynasty when draft picks are involved.

So why do you respond with a lowball or not bother?This guy could really want your stud and if you treat him like a real trading partner (which he is) you could end up improving both teams. It makes no sense to blow off a guy unless he comes with another really bad, as in obviously bad, offer. It may not hurt you, but it definitely doesnt help.

 

[DarkManX]

It seems to me alot of players believe that quantity over quality will suffice in an offer. Alot of the time I will receive an offer with 2 mediocre players for a stud. Now I dont get insulted but its always good for a laugh. Most of the time I will reply with a lowball offer of my own or not bother.In my experience it takes time to work out an offer, understand what both parties want or need and go from there. Especially in a keeper/dynasty when draft picks are involved.

So why do you respond with a lowball or not bother?This guy could really want your stud and if you treat him like a real trading partner (which he is) you could end up improving both teams. It makes no sense to blow off a guy unless he comes with another really bad, as in obviously bad, offer. It may not hurt you, but it definitely doesnt help.

Good question but I guess it would come down to situation and my team and who he is trying to aquire and for what. Im not a huge trader myself by nature and trust my draft, so generally stick with teams that I draft and then leave the rest to WW and only make trades when needed or I desperately want to try and aquire someone. Generally I will offer a lowball offer in return to see if he bites and if not, he atleast knows who I want in return, then he is free to counter or indeed not bother. Like I said trades take time and going back and forth until you find common ground is necessary. Rarely in my experience does someone offer something that I immediately think "BAM, yes ill take that." If someone is trying to aquire a stud off me like Fitz or AP, not much chance I am willing to trade these guys and just roll with what I have.

 

[JohnnyU]

It seems to me alot of players believe that quantity over quality will suffice in an offer. Alot of the time I will receive an offer with 2 mediocre players for a stud. Now I dont get insulted but its always good for a laugh. Most of the time I will reply with a lowball offer of my own or not bother.

In my experience it takes time to work out an offer, understand what both parties want or need and go from there. Especially in a keeper/dynasty when draft picks are involved.

So why do you respond with a lowball or not bother?This guy could really want your stud and if you treat him like a real trading partner (which he is) you could end up improving both teams. It makes no sense to blow off a guy unless he comes with another really bad, as in obviously bad, offer. It may not hurt you, but it definitely doesnt help.

Good question but I guess it would come down to situation and my team and who he is trying to aquire and for what. Im not a huge trader myself by nature and trust my draft, so generally stick with teams that I draft and then leave the rest to WW and only make trades when needed or I desperately want to try and aquire someone. Generally I will offer a lowball offer in return to see if he bites and if not, he atleast knows who I want in return, then he is free to counter or indeed not bother. Like I said trades take time and going back and forth until you find common ground is necessary. Rarely in my experience does someone offer something that I immediately think "BAM, yes ill take that."

If someone is trying to aquire a stud off me like Fitz or AP, not much chance I am willing to trade these guys and just roll with what I have.

You're going about this wrong IMO. Not every trade has to have this back and forth haggling. Especially requiring lowball offers initially. I can tell you right now that I make a LOT of trades, and most of the time I do it with a first or second offer. I can also say that I'm not getting ripped off most of the time and that I win or make the playoffs in my share of $$$ leagues.

 

[comfortably numb]

I'm not offended by low-ball offers. I have no problem with low-ball offers. I just send a counter offer and we go from there. Really not a big deal. It doesn't bother me as much as others I guess.

If I get offered something likeBenson, Cotchrey and 1st RD pickforADP and Wes WelkerI would counter with something like...Nah, looks like we are pretty off on value, as I wouldn't take your 3 pieces for Welker alone.ORIf you are coming after ADP, Fitz will have to be part of your package.

 

[Instinctive]

I'm not offended by low-ball offers. I have no problem with low-ball offers. I just send a counter offer and we go from there. Really not a big deal. It doesn't bother me as much as others I guess.

If I get offered something likeBenson, Cotchrey and 1st RD pickforADP and Wes WelkerI would counter with something like...Nah, looks like we are pretty off on value, as I wouldn't take your 3 pieces for Welker alone.ORIf you are coming after ADP, Fitz will have to be part of your package.

Exactly as it should be. Open a dialogue. And if you don't like a lowball and feel you made a fair offer, say, "feel free to keep hittin me up, but I think for now I will stand PAT" I do this in my leagues, and oftn times the 3rd or 4th offer after I say that, I jump on it. Like when somebody wanted Kevin Smith, I countered with Tashard Choice and Charles and a 4 for Smith. He lowballed back, I said I'd stand where I am, he kept offering, and this is what ended up as: Kevin Smith and a 2 for Jamaal Charles, Ray rice, and a 3. Better than Choice and a 4 for sure!So don't be insulted. Don't try to insult back. Just say what you feel, politely, and it usually leads to good things.

 

[bcr8f]

I offered a lo of people for potential trades.

I was offered $20(20% of yearly cash) for all of these guys. Does that count as a lowball offer?

Jennings, Rashad JAC RB

Jones, Kevin CHI RB

Sheets, Kory SFO RB

* Riley, Eron BAL WR

Driver, Donald GBP WR

Henderson, Devery NOS WR

Hixon, Domenik NYG WR

Drew, Davon BAL TE

Fasano, Anthony MIA TE

Mehlhaff, Taylor MIN PK

Feagles, Jeff NYG PN

Adibi, Xavier HOU LB

Delmas, Louis DET CB

 

[Instinctive]

I offered a lo of people for potential trades.I was offered $20(20% of yearly cash) for all of these guys. Does that count as a lowball offer? Jennings, Rashad JAC RBJones, Kevin CHI RBSheets, Kory SFO RB* Riley, Eron BAL WRDriver, Donald GBP WRHenderson, Devery NOS WRHixon, Domenik NYG WRDrew, Davon BAL TEFasano, Anthony MIA TEMehlhaff, Taylor MIN PKFeagles, Jeff NYG PNAdibi, Xavier HOU LBDelmas, Louis DET CB

Thats the kind of offer where you say "how about I keep Jennings" and its a deal.

 

[JohnnyU]

I'm wary of anyone who plays such games. When offered such trades I take extra care in trading with those teams. They don't do themselves any favors by making lowball offers.

I believe the biggest problem with low ball offers are those made for players you're not that interested in trading to begin with. If I don't have a player on the block, then I'm certainly not interested in countering a low ball offer, and that's really what the person who made the bad offer wants. Why should I counter a bad offer if I wasn't trying to trade MJD or ADP? The way I see it is, if he wants a highly sought after player then he should have the courtesy of making a legitimate offer for him. If he wants a player that I'm trying to trade anyway, then I'm more flexible and will tolerate a low ball offer and probably counter.

 

[BigJim®]

I found this thread intriguing in that it appears that many guys who send lowball offeres are well aware of what they are doing, and do so as a bargaining tactic. I honestly would have assumed that the vast majority of god awful offers were due to the other guy being totally clueless as to value. I've generally not bothered trying to close any significant gap with a counter.

BTW- Anyone know how I can get to the "other owners don't even respond to my reasonable initial offers" thread?

 

[Gman]

I enjoy ripping people off. It's the only way to consistently win at fantasy football.

I have four championships in the 9 years of my league, and I might not have any if I hadn't been an aggressive trader.

And even though I consistently get the better end of deals, people will always trade if they think a trade is in their favor, or it involves a player that they have an obsession for.

It's much easier to rip people off in a dynasty league where you have the difference in short-term thinking vs long-term thinking.

 

[JohnnyU]

I enjoy ripping people off. It's the only way to consistently win at fantasy football.I have four championships in the 9 years of my league, and I might not have any if I hadn't been an aggressive trader.And even though I consistently get the better end of deals, people will always trade if they think a trade is in their favor, or it involves a player that they have an obsession for.It's much easier to rip people off in a dynasty league where you have the difference in short-term thinking vs long-term thinking.

What leagues are you in?

 

[soothsayer]

I think if more people went into trade discussions sincerely attempting to get to a "win-win" a lot more quality trades would get done. Owners instead typically go in with a "If I win it has to mean the other owner has to lose" mentality and it shows in the offers that get sent. You can usually tell from that first offer what an owner's intention is.

 

[Jason Wood]

I personally have no time for lowball nonsense. If someone sends me a lowball offer, I usually will decline it without explanation. The only way a trade ever gets done is if both sides think they come out ahead. Absent collusion, everyone comes away believing they somehow got the better deal. Even in lopsided trades, the 'loser' is snickering to himself saying 'wait until everyone realizes how the guy I just got is going to break out, the fools!'

To that end, if you really think there's a chance to improve your team by making a trade with me, either come at me directly with a deal you think is fair, or more likely, just contact me and say you're interested in a few of my players and am I interested in talking about a trade.

To be clear, I don't begrudge people who make lowball offers to OTHER people and have them accepted. More power to you. But those owners who get fleeced like that are usually not long for the leagues I play in, just no time for guppies who would let themselves get skewered on the regular.