Is there any benefit to giving someone a contract extension earlier than just before the season ends? Could the player decide halfway through the season he'll test free agency? Could his demands go up/down?

Quote: Originally posted by burnsy483 on 5/03/2010Is there any benefit to giving someone a contract extension earlier than just before the season ends? Could the player decide halfway through the season he'll test free agency? Could his demands go up/down?

His demands may change based on injury/improvement. He will not change his mind mis-season. If he was willing to stay with you, he stays willing all year.

The answer is "no". Protect yourself and sign him when the season ends. A big injury could make him useless in the future.

It would be a nice little tweak if players would change their demands as the season progresses. Willing to sign in ST, increases his demands as the season moves on and refuses to sign after the A/S break because you "didn't take care of me".