Trading (1 Viewer)

[Mookie Blaylock]

Anyone ever just post a message in your league forum stating who's available and what you'd want in return? I've read all the posts about trading strategies and I'm sick of the BS, frankly. I think I just want to post something that says - TOs available. Need a RB - and see what happens.

Anyone do this? How'd it work out?

 

[northern exposure]

I tried that once. The only responses I got were along the lines of " You must be desperate to get rid of this guy" and then they offered me garbage in return.

 

[rgmnchr]

I like to just send my own trade proposals to every team. TO for ..... and fill in whoever you want. Ive tried the message board method and that still doesnt generate any positive offers. Offers, but crap ones.

Ive come to the conclusion that some people dont like to or are too scared to trade. They need to be blatantly ripping you off to make a deal. I look for what they need, what I can give up and go frome there.

I send at least 10 trade offers out every week and have gotten 1 counteroffer. Not ridiculous offers, genuine win win trades. My problem lies with the communication, let me know where I stand. " No I wont trade MJD ever". OK no more offers for MJD.

But then again Im prolly known as the annoying owner that sends ridiculous trade offers to everyone every week. Ha.

 

[cjriv]

Twice this year in my Fanball league other team managers have posted on the league message board advertising that a player was available and that he wanted XX position in return. One trade was made and the other time no transaction occurred.

One trading method that worked for me this year was seeing that an offer was made by Manager A to a Manager B. I was interested in the player he was offering so I sent him an e-mail asking if he was interested in one of my rostered players I was willing to trade. It netted me Frank Gore and Dallas Clark for Reggie Wayne and Selvin Young.

In the end it still comes to negotiation, consideration, and an agreement by both parties.

 

[Black]

Anyone ever just post a message in your league forum stating who's available and what you'd want in return? I've read all the posts about trading strategies and I'm sick of the BS, frankly. I think I just want to post something that says - TOs available. Need a RB - and see what happens.Anyone do this? How'd it work out?

Never worked out for me. Either people ignore it, or you get crazy offers.Think you have to look at the other rosters and see if there's folks on the bench they might not be 'using' and make a compelling argument about why a player on your team is better than someone they are starting (or need for depth).It *might* get a conversation started though.

 

[mozzy84]

Anyone ever just post a message in your league forum stating who's available and what you'd want in return? I've read all the posts about trading strategies and I'm sick of the BS, frankly. I think I just want to post something that says - TOs available. Need a RB - and see what happens.Anyone do this? How'd it work out?

people do this in my league, I have yet to see it work well, smells of desperation to me....edit to say alot/most league websites have a trading block area, you put a guy in there and what you want and it gets posted on the message board from there....

 

[Black]

I like to just send my own trade proposals to every team. TO for ..... and fill in whoever you want. Ive tried the message board method and that still doesnt generate any positive offers. Offers, but crap ones.Ive come to the conclusion that some people dont like to or are too scared to trade. They need to be blatantly ripping you off to make a deal. I look for what they need, what I can give up and go frome there.I send at least 10 trade offers out every week and have gotten 1 counteroffer. Not ridiculous offers, genuine win win trades. My problem lies with the communication, let me know where I stand. " No I wont trade MJD ever". OK no more offers for MJD. But then again Im prolly known as the annoying owner that sends ridiculous trade offers to everyone every week. Ha.

Everyone's trades suck, unless you are trading someone off your bench for bench guys on another roster, or if you are very heavy at one position, and can trade to another team to get that position.

 

[RudeDog]

CBS Sportsline has a feature that allows you to do just that.... it's called the "On the Block Update"

 

[two_dollars]

CBS Sportsline has a feature that allows you to do just that.... it's called the "On the Block Update"

Yep, use that all the time.I've brokered 3 trades already this season through it.

 

[Riffraff]

MFL has the trade bait option.

I've seen the "Need a ___, send me an offer. Bring lube." tactic work twice in a dynasty league this year. Both trades were fair.

 

[Nate]

All I've ever gotten from MFL's trade bait option is joke offers. Putting someone on the block seems to devalue that player in your co-GMs eyes for whatever reason.

I find contacting a GM directly with an offer that fills a position of need is by far the best way to go. Still, in a couple of my leagues, there are at least a few guys that absolutely fall in love with their roster and dramatically overvalue their players.

Top guys like TO should get some attention though. If I were you I'd offer him to everyone and shoot for the sky, maybe nobody bites but when you're talking about a talent like TO; you'll get some talks started.

 

[Dt's Mules]

problem is that if you've been successful in a league for a while, people "assume" you are getting the better end of a deal when it is/could be a fair deal

 

[thecardiackid]

Finally got a deal done in a 12 team dynasty league (2nd year).

I posted my "QB sale" on the MB, and it took about 2 weeks to finally get something done. Had Romo, McNabb, Favre, Campbell - all in the top 12 and after winning the league last year, the RBs and WRs were struggling (Addai, MJD, AJ, Welker)

I still had to send out a few offers anyway, but sent Romo + Welker for Calvin and a 09 3rd.

My CBS league uses the "on the block" but some guys just dump junk looking for something.

Make a good offer, and start the discussion. If the $ is too high, then move along. The only problem can be finding the right partners (weak where you're strong, etc.)

 

[seatownfavorite]

problem is that if you've been successful in a league for a while, people "assume" you are getting the better end of a deal when it is/could be a fair deal

This is so true. I finally won a championship last year in my main money league, after 4 years of being very active with trades, and now teams almost refuse to trade with me.

 

[Tanner9919]

people constantly overrated/overvalue their own guys, while at the same time knocking your guys..

frankly,its sickening. ..I put Steve Smith ( Carolina),on the block last week..nothing.not even a phone call/email,etc..w-o-w..



its comical..

 

[northern exposure]

I'm sick and tired of trying to trade. This week I offered Buckhalter to the Westbrook owner for either Olsen or Keller to cover Scheffler's spot while he's injured. The guy has 3 RBs in a league where we start 2 and the only RB on his bench if Westbrook doesn't play is Selvin Young who has been rruled out for this week.The guy replied that he liked the offer but was thin at WR and TE so he had to hang on them.

So, just to test a theory I offered Buckhalter for his Kicker! He again refused , saying "nice offer, but I just can't do it."

 

[Buffaloes]

I'm sick and tired of trying to trade. This week I offered Buckhalter to the Westbrook owner for either Olsen or Keller to cover Scheffler's spot while he's injured. The guy has 3 RBs in a league where we start 2 and the only RB on his bench if Westbrook doesn't play is Selvin Young who has been rruled out for this week.The guy replied that he liked the offer but was thin at WR and TE so he had to hang on them.

So, just to test a theory I offered Buckhalter for his Kicker! He again refused , saying "nice offer, but I just can't do it."

wow.

 

[coolnerd]

Anyone ever just post a message in your league forum stating who's available and what you'd want in return? I've read all the posts about trading strategies and I'm sick of the BS, frankly. I think I just want to post something that says - TOs available. Need a RB - and see what happens.Anyone do this? How'd it work out?

I have either used or seen this used in most of not all of my dynasty leagues. A couple things:1) Be as specifc as possible. In this TO example, state a quality starting RB. While you don't want to make it into a dissertation, stating that you want solid offers, will take draft picks, or willing to do a bigger deal helps a ton. 2) Answer all inquires, even the silly ones. May not matter for the specifc deal that you are currently working on, but if you advertise, answering is a part of the deal. Owners will trust you more if they assume that you will not ignore them.

 

[GROMS]

This seems to be a very common theme. I've tried to figure this out for years. I love to trade. It doesn't matter to me if it's a Dynasty or Redraft, I just like to trade. I like getting new players. I seem to be in the minority though.

Here's a few things I've noticed in my Dynasty league about owners who don't like to trade:

1. Owners overvalue or get to attached to their own players. (like Tanner9919 said)

- I think we all do this to some degree but geez, at least tell me if you would NEVER consider trading somebody. (Which I think is stupid)

2. Owners don't really know how to assign a value to their players. This seems to be especially true with IDP's.

- This one irritates me alot. Grab a rankings sheet, compare how many point they score weekly, anything! One owner in my league won't even consider trading an offensive player for a defensive player because he just doesn't understand how to compare them. His exact words were, "I don't trade apples for oranges."

3. Paraniod owners are afraid they are gonna get the raw end of the deal because they think you know something that they don't.

- I really don't know what you can do about this. This may be just an extension of the reason above.

4. Paraniod owners think you are trying to purposely give them a bad deal.

- Where is the paranoia coming from?

5. Passive enthusiasm towards FF in general.

- This one infuriates me the most. The owner that ignores your offer. Is there any reason why you wouldn't counter offer? Talk, negotiate, find out how freakin bad he wants your player. Why wouldn't you at least take a look at maybe improving your team?

To answer the original question: Message boards and trade block features have not worked well at all in the leagues that I've played in. A direct trade offer through the website or by email (my preference) seem to work best.

Good thread

Edited for horrific spelling, grammer, etc

 

[Road Warriors]

This seems to be a very common theme. I've tried to figure this out for years. I love to trade. It doesn't matter to me if it's a Dynasty or Redraft, I just like to trade. I like getting new players. I seem to be in the minority though.

Here's a few things I've noticed in my Dynasty league about owners who don't like to trade:

1. Owners overvalue or get to attached to their own players. (like Tanner9919 said)

- I think we all do this to some degree but geez, at least tell me if you would NEVER consider trading somebody. (Which I think is stupid)

2. Owners don't really know how to assign a value to their players. This seems to be especially true with IDP's.

- This one irritates me alot. Grab a rankings sheet, compare how many point they score weekly, anything! One owner in my league won't even consider trading an offensive player for a defensive player because he just doesn't understand how to compare them. His exact words were, "I don't trade apples for oranges."

3. Paraniod owners are afraid they are gonna get the raw end of the deal because they think you know something that they don't.

- I really don't know what you can do about this. This may be just just an extension of the reason above.

4. Paraniod owners think you are trying to purposely give them a bad deal.

- Where is the paranoia coming from?

5. Passive enthusiasm towards FF in general.

- This one infuriates me the most. The owner that ignores your offer. Is there any reason why you wouldn't counter offer? Talk, negotiate, find out how freakin bad he wants your player. Why wouldn't you at least take a look at maybe improving your team?

To answer the original question: Message boards and trade block features have not worked well at all in the leagues that I've played in. A direct trade offer through the website or by email (my preference) seem to work best.

Good thread

I have run across the 3 & 4 scenario a number of times. No matter what deal you offer, they think you've got some inside scoop, or are somehow taking advantage. Often I find this is a result of an owner who is less than confident in their knowledge of the game. These are the magazine drafters, or the strict cheatsheet guys. They depend on the opinions of others to drive their decisions. Trading is almost never accomplished with these types of owners.

 

[toxic]

As others have pointed out, successful trading has to be mutually beneficial. It also usually requires that you do the work. If you simply post X player is available, you are asking others to do the work for you, which lowers the probability of a trade substantially. I usually follow these basic steps (and I realize they are not exactly rocket science):

Step 1: Decide what position you want to upgrade.

Step 2: Decide what position you are deep at.

Step 3: Look through the rosters to find a player with opposite needs. Often times I don't find an owner with opposite needs--in that case, I generally don't proceed further.

If you find the right owner, they will be interested if you can provide them a legitimate upgrade at their weak position. The old adage "you have to give up something to get something" comes into play here. If I am deep at a position, I will often dangle the player who is generally MORE liked in the trade. For example, I was deep at QB (Brees, Warner, Campbell) in one league and weak at WR (Patten was my WR2--thank you Colston/Burleson/Galloway). There was another owner who was in the opposite situation, so I offered Brees for Owens. Note I like Brees more than Warner, but my overall output increased much more replacing Patten with Ownes than my QB dropped going from Brees to Warner.

The reason most trades don't get done is that both owners want a costless upgrade (everyone wants to trade a guy on their bench for a guy who will start). Those trades are great and occasionally happen, but most of the time you have to take a minor step back at one position to take a big step forward at another.

 

[GROMS]

As others have pointed out, successful trading has to be mutually beneficial. It also usually requires that you do the work. If you simply post X player is available, you are asking others to do the work for you, which lowers the probability of a trade substantially. I usually follow these basic steps (and I realize they are not exactly rocket science):Step 1: Decide what position you want to upgrade.Step 2: Decide what position you are deep at.Step 3: Look through the rosters to find a player with opposite needs. Often times I don't find an owner with opposite needs--in that case, I generally don't proceed further.If you find the right owner, they will be interested if you can provide them a legitimate upgrade at their weak position. The old adage "you have to give up something to get something" comes into play here. If I am deep at a position, I will often dangle the player who is generally MORE liked in the trade. For example, I was deep at QB (Brees, Warner, Campbell) in one league and weak at WR (Patten was my WR2--thank you Colston/Burleson/Galloway). There was another owner who was in the opposite situation, so I offered Brees for Owens. Note I like Brees more than Warner, but my overall output increased much more replacing Patten with Ownes than my QB dropped going from Brees to Warner. The reason most trades don't get done is that both owners want a costless upgrade (everyone wants to trade a guy on their bench for a guy who will start). Those trades are great and occasionally happen, but most of the time you have to take a minor step back at one position to take a big step forward at another.

Completely agree. Those are exactly the steps I use when approaching a trade. I also agree that most of the time you have to offer a little more (than equal) for a player you really want.

 

[Road Warriors]

As others have pointed out, successful trading has to be mutually beneficial. It also usually requires that you do the work. If you simply post X player is available, you are asking others to do the work for you, which lowers the probability of a trade substantially. I usually follow these basic steps (and I realize they are not exactly rocket science):Step 1: Decide what position you want to upgrade.Step 2: Decide what position you are deep at.Step 3: Look through the rosters to find a player with opposite needs. Often times I don't find an owner with opposite needs--in that case, I generally don't proceed further.If you find the right owner, they will be interested if you can provide them a legitimate upgrade at their weak position. The old adage "you have to give up something to get something" comes into play here. If I am deep at a position, I will often dangle the player who is generally MORE liked in the trade. For example, I was deep at QB (Brees, Warner, Campbell) in one league and weak at WR (Patten was my WR2--thank you Colston/Burleson/Galloway). There was another owner who was in the opposite situation, so I offered Brees for Owens. Note I like Brees more than Warner, but my overall output increased much more replacing Patten with Ownes than my QB dropped going from Brees to Warner. The reason most trades don't get done is that both owners want a costless upgrade (everyone wants to trade a guy on their bench for a guy who will start). Those trades are great and occasionally happen, but most of the time you have to take a minor step back at one position to take a big step forward at another.

Completely agree. Those are exactly the steps I use when approaching a trade. I also agree that most of the time you have to offer a little more (than equal) for a player you really want.

I also find that you can get trades done quickly and easily if you're giving the bigger name. Often your trading partner won't see the nuance of a multi position upgrade for their team if they're not getting a "name" player back. Trying to pry a name player ( even if on the bench ) from an owner usually will cost you at least one name player back.

 

[FantasyTrader]

Trading is an art. It's the one skill in fantasy football that has absolutely nothing to do with fantasy football (once you've properly valued the players involved of course). You would become a better FF Trader by reading a book on the art of negotion such as "Getting To Yes" by Roger Fisher - faster than the feedback of a thousand posts.

 

[The Man with the Plan]

I just try to appeal to someone's logical side when making a trade. More likely than not if they can see that the trade makes their team better a deal will get done. Those who are too stupid or too ignorant to see the benefits of a deal probably aren't worth trading partners anyway.

 

[mozzy84]

Step 1: Decide what position you want to upgrade.Step 2: Decide what position you are deep at.Step 3: Look through the rosters to find a player with opposite needs. Often times I don't find an owner with opposite needs--in that case, I generally don't proceed further.

exactly how its done for me mosty website have a grid format of all the rosters you can scan through, its not that much work

 

[northern exposure]

Trading is an art. It's the one skill in fantasy football that has absolutely nothing to do with fantasy football (once you've properly valued the players involved of course). You would become a better FF Trader by reading a book on the art of negotion such as "Getting To Yes" by Roger Fisher - faster than the feedback of a thousand posts.

I think your advice has some merit. As someone who has read the book you mentioned and others like it I still have to say there are simply some people you will never trade with. For whatever reason, they just do not make trades.

 

[northern exposure]

As others have pointed out, successful trading has to be mutually beneficial. It also usually requires that you do the work. If you simply post X player is available, you are asking others to do the work for you, which lowers the probability of a trade substantially. I usually follow these basic steps (and I realize they are not exactly rocket science):

Step 1: Decide what position you want to upgrade.

Step 2: Decide what position you are deep at.

Step 3: Look through the rosters to find a player with opposite needs. Often times I don't find an owner with opposite needs--in that case, I generally don't proceed further.

If you find the right owner, they will be interested if you can provide them a legitimate upgrade at their weak position. The old adage "you have to give up something to get something" comes into play here. If I am deep at a position, I will often dangle the player who is generally MORE liked in the trade. For example, I was deep at QB (Brees, Warner, Campbell) in one league and weak at WR (Patten was my WR2--thank you Colston/Burleson/Galloway). There was another owner who was in the opposite situation, so I offered Brees for Owens. Note I like Brees more than Warner, but my overall output increased much more replacing Patten with Ownes than my QB dropped going from Brees to Warner.

The reason most trades don't get done is that both owners want a costless upgrade (everyone wants to trade a guy on their bench for a guy who will start). Those trades are great and occasionally happen, but most of the time you have to take a minor step back at one position to take a big step forward at another.

These are the rudimentary steps I always follow in making trade offers. However, even following this logical approach will not result in a trade being made with some league members.