Have internationals who would love to play in the U.S. gradually drop their demands over time if no one signs them, similar to what free agents do.  Too many decent minor league prospects want 1.5m, which they're not going to get.  When their demands become reasonable, someone will sign them.

No.  They never lower their demands.

Actually the solution is to have all internationals start at 100k.   That way, the owners with low IFA scouting won't be quite so sure if an IFA is good or not.   As it stands, an owner can have 1m in IFA scouting and, if he sees an IFA asking for 4.6m, he can be pretty comfortable in bidding on him as he knows he's pretty good.

I agree with that. But I can imagine a complete stud at seasons end and the top IFA money left is 800k so he gets signed dirt cheap.

Posted by MikeT23 on 6/19/2010 7:20:00 AM (view original):
Actually the solution is to have all internationals start at 100k.   That way, the owners with low IFA scouting won't be quite so sure if an IFA is good or not.   As it stands, an owner can have 1m in IFA scouting and, if he sees an IFA asking for 4.6m, he can be pretty comfortable in bidding on him as he knows he's pretty good.

Aren't the chances that an owner would actually SEE that IFA pretty low? I definitely see your point, but I've always been under the impression that low IFA scouting means you see very few prospects and high IFA scouting means you see a lot more (or most) prospects.

I realize there is an aspect of how the scouts actually project the player, but it seems to me they are at a pretty significant disadvantage already with not getting to see very many. IFA is luck of the draw anyways.

I actually like the 100k suggestion.

As for the stud that someone signs at 800k, that'd be pretty rare and, if it happens, so be it. Adds a layer of strategy to the bidding as people try to figure out how much it is worth holding back and hoping for the last gasp stud to come along.

Posted by MikeT23 on 6/19/2010 7:20:00 AM (view original):
Actually the solution is to have all internationals start at 100k.   That way, the owners with low IFA scouting won't be quite so sure if an IFA is good or not.   As it stands, an owner can have 1m in IFA scouting and, if he sees an IFA asking for 4.6m, he can be pretty comfortable in bidding on him as he knows he's pretty good.

I actually can't believe they haven't done this already.

I'm running $4m int'l scouting in one of my leagues as I work myself up from $0, but I can still tell the relative merits of the few players I see based on their current ratings and bonus demands. I'm not sure that I should have even that much quality assurance.

i agree with the 100K idea. even in real life players demand a ton initially. once the evaluations are done they rarely get that payday.

I agree.  100K to start IFA bidding is a great idea.  I can't think at all of why not.