The Art of Trading in Fantasy Football 101 (1 Viewer)

[Maven]

Here are some personal tips I'd like to pass long that have helped me. Most of these tips are known already. Feel free to add yours

1. Always trade up for "names"

Perception is reality folks. Never underestimate the power of name recognition in fantasy football. The more well known your player is the more you will get for him in a trade. Even if they are having a down year, all it takes is one good game to rekindle all the thoughts of highlights and achievements that player has made in the past. A "name" is a good chip to have and a good chip to trade. Use your "names" wisely and always trade to acquire names.

2. Avoid downgrading "names"; UNLESS you get great value

Unless you're getting GREAT value for your "name", I'd avoid downgrading "names" because you lose a good trading chip.

3. Be open to trading one week waiver wire wonders and the hot player of the week

Waiver wire players who have great weeks, usually earlier in the season have a TON of value. Do research and forecast their production over the course of the season. Also, be open to trading players who have a good week. Any player who has a good week is worth something more than last week. Capitalize on that opportunity!

4. Always lowball your initial trade offer but dont insult!

You never want to insult an owner with your trade offer because it could blow them off but never send your best offer first. You never know what someone will accept....so start low then work your way up

5. If contacted for a trade, allow the other owner to offer their trade first

This goes back to #4. If in discussions for a trade, let the owner offer his trade first. You never know what THEY'LL offer you!

6. Scope out bye weeks and reference FBG's SOS for future trades

Always take strength of schedule into consideration. It might not make sense to trade for RG3 now when he's playing cupcakes when his schedule is one of the worst during fantasy playoffs and the last quarter of the season.

7. Unless you have depth, make a trade to avoid a bye week a week in advance before bye.

I get unaware owners all the time on this. If I lack depth at a particular position but can trade for a player with similar value with a great match up and a late bye week later in the season, why wouldn't I make a trade?

What are some of your tips?

 

[flooredyas]

Here are some personal tips I'd like to pass long that have helped me. Most of these tips are known already. Feel free to add yours

1. Always trade up for "names"

Perception is reality folks. Never underestimate the power of name recognition in fantasy football. The more well known your player is the more you will get for him in a trade. Even if they are having a down year, all it takes is one good game to rekindle all the thoughts of highlights and achievements that player has made in the past. A "name" is a good chip to have and a good chip to trade. Use your "names" wisely and always trade to acquire names.

2. Avoid downgrading "names"; UNLESS you get great value

Unless you're getting GREAT value for your "name", I'd avoid downgrading "names" because you lose a good trading chip.

3. Be open to trading one week waiver wire wonders and the hot player of the week

Waiver wire players who have great weeks, usually earlier in the season have a TON of value. Do research and forecast their production over the course of the season. Also, be open to trading players who have a good week. Any player who has a good week is worth something more than last week. Capitalize on that opportunity!

4. Always lowball your initial trade offer but dont insult!

You never want to insult an owner with your trade offer because it could blow them off but never send your best offer first. You never know what someone will accept....so start low then work your way up

5. If contacted for a trade, allow the other owner to offer their trade first

This goes back to #4. If in discussions for a trade, let the owner offer his trade first. You never know what THEY'LL offer you!

6. Scope out bye weeks and reference FBG's SOS for future trades

Always take strength of schedule into consideration. It might not make sense to trade for RG3 now when he's playing cupcakes when his schedule is one of the worst during fantasy playoffs and the last quarter of the season.

7. Unless you have depth, make a trade to avoid a bye week a week in advance before bye.

I get unaware owners all the time on this. If I lack depth at a particular position but can trade for a player with similar value with a great match up and a late bye week later in the season, why wouldn't I make a trade?

What are some of your tips?

My tip-The search function-Here's a recent threadhttp://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=657361&st=0&p=14780672&hl=art of trading&fromsearch=1entry14780672

I'll use a personel example of what I'd never do. I offered Nate washington to a team this week in need of a WR. I requested Pitta in return, who he had on the bench. This was his 3rd TE mind you, behind Davis and Olsen. The YTD points favored him by a slight margin. He countered with Pitta for McFadden. Needless to say, the talks abruptly ended. While I could have changed the trade to be Bouldin for any of his TE's I didn't bother. This is someone who won't be recieving any offers in the future from me.

 

[nyy45]

Do it over the phone or face to face

Always, always, always, truly try and imagine that you are the manager of the other team before you start talking trades with them. You know what you have and what you want but if you are able to put yourself in their shoes first, you'll know if you have a potential deal by truly understanding their needs and seeing if it matches up with yours.

......and never lowball so much that it's obvious when you counter with next offer, it's tough for me to take people like that seriously. Like the boy who cried wolf.

This is just the way I do it, I'm sure some people may go about trading differently that works for them just as well, if not better.

 

[ponchsox]

Do it over the phone or face to face

Always, always, always, truly try and imagine that you are the manager of the other team before you start talking trades with them. You know what you have and what you want but if you are able to put yourself in their shoes first, you'll know if you have a potential deal by truly understanding their needs and seeing if it matches up with yours.

......and never lowball so much that it's obvious when you counter with next offer, it's tough for me to take people like that seriously. Like the boy who cried wolf.

This is just the way I do it, I'm sure some people may go about trading differently that works for them just as well, if not better.

Agreed. Give them a call first and start off by discussing something other than fantasy football. "Sex" them up first and then say "by the way," I want to offer you player X for player Y.

 

[Drinkin Buddy]

Good tips.

A few of mine:

Trade 2 for 1: Alot of owners think they are receiving a bargain by getting 2 players for 1. Truthfully, its really a 2 for 2 deal because you can then go snag a player off the ww. Derivation, trade 2 good players for a great player plus a ww fodder type. The other owner is probably more likely to accept if he's getting rid of a crappy player.

Needs of other owner: as mentioned above, make sure you address the other owners needs. Look for bye week and injury issues that another owner has.

Track record: don't be afraid to trade a guy with a good game or two for a guy that has done it for awhile. In my dynasty league Dez Bryant was recently traded for Ryan Williams. Dez Bryant has been a solid WR2-3 for several years (with upside) while RWill has one good game in his career.

RB Handcuffs: grab RB handcuffs and trade them to the owner of the primary RB. I've traded Vereen, Dion Lewis, Bernard Scott, Battle for young WRs this year. Most owners are risk averse and want the assurance of having the HC. Truth is, if the primary RB gets hurt in a lot of cases he under performs and another guy takes over.

Hoard positions: This can work for QBs and TEs in deeper leagues. I have snagged many starting QBs off the ww and then moved them. By leaving no options on the ww you can inflate demand through lack of supply.

Potential: don't overvalue potential. Trade a guy with upside for proven producers. This is all relative, I would not part with a blue chipper unless the return was great but marginal young 3rd 4th round RBs and WRs don't usually amount to anything. Owners tend to overvalue youth in dynasty leagues. Use this to your advantage.

Dialogue: reach out to the other owner via phone or e-mail and see who they like on your roster as opposed to just shooting random trade offers.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Try to trade for underachieving "name" players who are on fantasy teams that are struggling. If you can find an 0-5 team right now that is sick of Andre Johnson, and you can get him without having to give up the farm, I say, go for it.

 

[fightingillini]

Timing is EVERYTHIING in a FF trade. Always be looking at everyone's roster. Who's doing well? Who is disappointing? Who has bye week problems coming up? What is their strengths? Weaknesses? Get on the horn and offer trades when the timing is right. If you think a player is going to turn it around......go see if you can get him at a discounted price.

Example.....last year I was desperate for a TE....I had Keller, Winslow and Gresham....3 mediocre TEs. The Gronkowski owner was 1-4 and really needed a RB and WR since he had bye week problems for the upcoming week. Gronkowski was coming off of a bad week and Hernandez was coming back from his injury. I wanted Gronkowski, so I offered Deagelo Williams, Gresham, and Brandon Lloyd (I was deep at WR) for Gronkowski and Ingram (who was injured at the time, I think). We ended up with DWill, Gresham and Julio Jones for Gronkowski, Ingram and Doucet. The next 10 weeks Gronkowski made history. I wait one more week and Gronkowski becomes virtually untradeable.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Trade 2 for 1: Alot of owners think they are receiving a bargain by getting 2 players for 1. Truthfully, its really a 2 for 2 deal because you can then go snag a player off the ww. Derivation, trade 2 good players for a great player plus a ww fodder type. The other owner is probably more likely to accept if he's getting rid of a crappy player.

 

[mdlane]

Trade 2 for 1: Alot of owners think they are receiving a bargain by getting 2 players for 1. Truthfully, its really a 2 for 2 deal because you can then go snag a player off the ww. Derivation, trade 2 good players for a great player plus a ww fodder type. The other owner is probably more likely to accept if he's getting rid of a crappy player.

Related to this:1. Trade from depth to someone with a need. So if you have a desirable WR2/3 on your bench, package with a RB to trade with a team that is weak at WR and has a better RB. This will be accepted a majority of the time as long as you are reasonable regarding the value of your bench WR. Which brings up:2. Never, ever, ever drop a player the week after you tried to trade him!! You will lose ALL credibility if you do this - and will drastically reduce your chances of future trades. If a player is at the bottom of your bench, EXPECT that your trading target will see the player in the same light and don't bother trying to package that player in a 2 for 1. You will kill your chance at a deal and will be known as "one of those guys that makes crappy offers and then complains at the end if the year about how boring the league is because no one trades." If no one is trading with you in a 12 person league it is because your offers clearly make you the "winner" of the trade.

 

[eric rymer]

Great posts so far gang.

My biggest thing I've learned is not to be intimidated. Say for example you look at Team A's roster and wish you had player x. You don't want to make the offer because you think there is no way you can get him. Stop that. I cannot tell you how many times I've heard "How in the world did you get player X"......ummm.....I asked. Remember that everyone values players differently. There is no harm in an inquiry and you never know where it will lead. like it has already been mentioned though do it on the phone. Get the conversation going about something/anything. then at some point shift it to the trade.

Another thing that has worked well is collecting trade fodder. If I am looking at Team A's roster and I want a RB. I see he is week at a given position and I don't really have what I need to make a solid offer. I will try to work small deals to acquire the pieces I think I need to get the initial deal done. Sometimes it can backfire and you are stuck with the newly acquired pieces but I've had more success than failures.

The last thing I do at times it send out offers in bunches. If you throw enough #### at a wall eventually some of it will stick. Trade offers are exciting when you get them. Opening them up to see if you have a gem or a dud is all kinds of fun.

Bottom line is know your leaguemates roster and try to think ahead of the game a bit. Happy trading.

 

[mrip541]

Most of my opponents use the strategy where they offer me 3 absolutely terrible, probably injured players who are worse than multiple guys on waivers for 3 of my decent high-upside guys. I can't imagine they would keep doing it if they never had success.

 

[Rovers]

I put Celek, M Floyd and B Lloyd on the block, looking for a startable RB. I was willing to do a two for one trade (yes, there would have been a second trash player aquired for roster limit reasons).

The offers I recieved were insulting. Dwyer. D'A Williams. M Bush. J Stewart. Tate. One guy refused to trade one on one for Goodson (to handcuff McFadden)! The guys in my league have NO interest in anything close to a balanced trade that would make both rosters better. It's rape or nothing.

Apparently, in my league aquiring two would be starters for one starter is not a reasonable trade offer. Frustrating to say the least.

 

[Pipes]

4. Always lowball your initial trade offer but dont insult!

You never want to insult an owner with your trade offer because it could blow them off but never send your best offer first. You never know what someone will accept....so start low then work your way up

I disagree with this one. There are times where it's not a good idea to lowball. For example in a 16 team league (redraft) league one owner had RGIII and Matt Ryan and put it out there he was going to trade one of them. Guy with the worst QB's put in a low offer but in the meantime someone else put in a trade offer and the RGIII went to that 2nd guy.

I guess my point is that if you need to be flexible but if you really want a guy you need to go get him. Sometimes starting low can come back to bite you.

 

[mdlane]

I put Celek, M Floyd and B Lloyd on the block, looking for a startable RB. I was willing to do a two for one trade (yes, there would have been a second trash player aquired for roster limit reasons). The offers I recieved were insulting. Dwyer. D'A Williams. M Bush. J Stewart. Tate. One guy refused to trade one on one for Goodson (to handcuff McFadden)! The guys in my league have NO interest in anything close to a balanced trade that would make both rosters better. It's rape or nothing. Apparently, in my league aquiring two would be starters for one starter is not a reasonable trade offer. Frustrating to say the least.

I think it is more about perceived value than making a roster better. What kind of running back would you trade for Brandon Lloyd and Floyd? They are performing like WR3s right now. Although WR3s are valuable depth on a roster, they are relatively intervhangeable with respect to a starting lineup. Are you sure the teams you are trying to trade them to perceive both of them as starters?If you want Demarco Murray, you'll have to give someone like Percy Harvin.

 

[squistion]

4. Always lowball your initial trade offer but dont insult!

You never want to insult an owner with your trade offer because it could blow them off but never send your best offer first. You never know what someone will accept....so start low then work your way up

A lowball offer is insulting, at least to me. My experience is that people who have that starting point never are willing to compromise for a fair deal.I don't have time to waste hours on communications with people who are not really serious to begin with. I generally start with what is close to my best offer and go from there - in fact sometimes I start with my best offer to make sure I can close the deal immediately.

Now, I should add that I might tweak my close to best offer a little bit with an extra draft pick or a throw in a lesser player with some upside, but generally my starting and ending points are not that far away. I have been in dynasty leagues since 2003 and am considered a wheeler/dealer in most leagues and that is without having the lowball offer approach. YMMV.

 

[Voice Of Reason]

Never start by asking for the player you want, then you can "settle" on the guy you actually like. Someone in my league has RG3 and Matt Ryan, if you really wanted Ryan, start by making offers for RG3.

 

[Cunk]

For me a lot of the advice given so far I tend to disagree with. If you are playing with people who know their stuff anyway.

1. Don't F around. Don't low-ball. If you really want a guy, make a trade that is fair.

2. The 2 for one doesn't work. I don't know anyone who looks at a trade more positively simply because there is one more person attached that they'll be getting.

3. If you are strong at WR but weak at RB, look for a team with the opposite situation and trade with them.

4. You know who the homers are in your league. If they tend to draft Patriots and you have a Patriot, that Patriot will probably valued higher by the homer than he should be. So perhaps you can low-ball here.

5. Don't bother with the explanation as to why your deal is so good for the other team. I hate it when people do this to me. You think I can't figure it out myself? Just seems like the other owner is being a used car salesman.

I don't think you can trick people who have been doing this for a while. We all know what's up.

 

[kyoun1e]

Prey on the weak.

Seek out the 0-5 and 1-4 teams and go at it.

KY

 

[coolnerd]

The biggest thing to remember in trading is that this is the only part of fantasy football where you have to deal with people. For every person who wants bicker back and forth off-line on a trade there is another who wants to see something reasonablely close to your final offer on the official site so that they can press yes or no with only the most modest of tweaks. Then there are two or three who approach it differently than either extreme. While a FF player may have a preferred style and method, there has to be some flexibility to meet the needs of others in a person is going to get the maximium of trades and relationships within a particular league.

 

[Wrigley]

Don't be afraid to lose a trade, making your team better.

 

[treat88]

Never get insulted by an offer. Respond politely and constructively even to the worst offers.

There is no positive outcome for your team or the offering team by taking things personally.

It is always business. Focus on the outcome not the emotion.

 

[jim k]

Owners dont want to give up on any of their first three rounds of players. Look for the owner who is sticking with the players based on the preseason ranks. Try to trade for the players they should be starting. One more thing, the other owner has to perceive that there team has a need. Send an email or talk to the owner with something like: you looking for a trade to improve your wrs? One last thing: you are going to get owners who think your trade proposal means you want to get rid of a player. You probably will never trade with these types.

 

[jwp]

If someone makes you an offer that you know is good, accept it, don't waste time coming to AC asking if it's a good trade. Don't be afraid to pull the trigger because the other guy could change his mind.

 

[Jackal King]

In salary cap leagues that use blind bids for waivers....i will periodically email the owners and announce who I plan on dumping to make room for a waiver pickup, and seeing if anyone wants to make an offer on my drop as opposed to bidding on the open market during the next window.

While the results are hit and miss...i've definetly been surprised at times with the offers that i get. And, even if the trade doesn't trump my waiver target, i will sometimes make a trade to strengthen a roster of an owner who is facing a divisional foe.

Just casting a wide net will occassionally catch some really interesting fish.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Look for win-win trades.

Try to get the best player in the deal if possible.

Buy low and roll with the guys you believe in.

 

[fightingillini]

For me a lot of the advice given so far I tend to disagree with. If you are playing with people who know their stuff anyway.1. Don't F around. Don't low-ball. If you really want a guy, make a trade that is fair.2. The 2 for one doesn't work. I don't know anyone who looks at a trade more positively simply because there is one more person attached that they'll be getting. 3. If you are strong at WR but weak at RB, look for a team with the opposite situation and trade with them.4. You know who the homers are in your league. If they tend to draft Patriots and you have a Patriot, that Patriot will probably valued higher by the homer than he should be. So perhaps you can low-ball here.5. Don't bother with the explanation as to why your deal is so good for the other team. I hate it when people do this to me. You think I can't figure it out myself? Just seems like the other owner is being a used car salesman.I don't think you can trick people who have been doing this for a while. We all know what's up.

Comments:1) With lowballing, you need to know your fellow leaguemate. Some will take the lowball personally and you've lost all credibility with that owner. There you have to make a reasonable first offer. Others won't get offended....they will just chuckle at you and start counteroffering. But sometimes you never know, they may take your first offer, so with them, start low.2) Completely disagree. 2 for 1's can certainly work depending on the situation. Why can't an owner with a lot of depth be able to trade up? Some owners have injuries and need starters now or their seasons are over. Not sure why you think 2 for 1s don't work.3) Agree 100%. This is the easiest form of trading....trade from strength to a owner with that need, and vice versa.4) Agree, and it just doesn't apply to homers. You should know how your fellow leaguemates value certain players and positions, and exploit them if possible.5) Selling the deal is OK, as long as you don't go overboard. If you do sell, always sell why it benefits THEIR team. Don't give too much detail. Best to just do something like "See that your starting QB Vick is struggling and you may not want to depend on him all year long. How about Andrew Luck for Dwayne Bowe"......something short and to the point. Let the other owner make their own assessment on the deal.

 

[elbowrm]

Tip: make sure players you are trying to trade away are in your current lineup.

 

[bweiser]

For me a lot of the advice given so far I tend to disagree with. If you are playing with people who know their stuff anyway.1. Don't F around. Don't low-ball. If you really want a guy, make a trade that is fair.2. The 2 for one doesn't work. I don't know anyone who looks at a trade more positively simply because there is one more person attached that they'll be getting. 3. If you are strong at WR but weak at RB, look for a team with the opposite situation and trade with them.4. You know who the homers are in your league. If they tend to draft Patriots and you have a Patriot, that Patriot will probably valued higher by the homer than he should be. So perhaps you can low-ball here.5. Don't bother with the explanation as to why your deal is so good for the other team. I hate it when people do this to me. You think I can't figure it out myself? Just seems like the other owner is being a used car salesman.I don't think you can trick people who have been doing this for a while. We all know what's up.

agree with this.

 

[wlwiles]

Tip: make sure players you are trying to trade away are in your current lineup.

this, 100 times this. If you beat everyone to the WW for a truly hot pickup, I have no problem with trading that person, and have done it myself. But picking up Heath Miller on waivers this week, and offering him to the guy with Pettigrew/Olsen on bye (and asking for Stevie Johnson in return) is going to label you as the #1 guy to not trade with.

 

[Sienna2012]

Never let them know how much you want that guy. Do not tell me, you want Doug Martin because you have him in every league you own. Once I know this, I know eventually, I can get anything I want out of you. Dont be that guy or gal.

Speaking of Doug Martin, do not buy into preseason hype. Wait till you see a player play before you buy high. The price will either be the same or a lot lower if you wait. Case in point, both of these factors, allowed me to get Charles and a 2013 1st round pick for Martin before one preseason game was even played.

Never mind, be that guy or gal. Its cool!

 

[Quibbler]

For me a lot of the advice given so far I tend to disagree with. If you are playing with people who know their stuff anyway.1. Don't F around. Don't low-ball. If you really want a guy, make a trade that is fair.2. The 2 for one doesn't work. I don't know anyone who looks at a trade more positively simply because there is one more person attached that they'll be getting. 3. If you are strong at WR but weak at RB, look for a team with the opposite situation and trade with them.4. You know who the homers are in your league. If they tend to draft Patriots and you have a Patriot, that Patriot will probably valued higher by the homer than he should be. So perhaps you can low-ball here.5. Don't bother with the explanation as to why your deal is so good for the other team. I hate it when people do this to me. You think I can't figure it out myself? Just seems like the other owner is being a used car salesman.I don't think you can trick people who have been doing this for a while. We all know what's up.

Basically don't make offers you wouldn't seriously consider if you were the other team.