Greetings,

Curious about this...league is in window where you can sign own free agents, but not other teams'. For one of my own, I submitted to meet his demands (3 years, $4.6mm/per). But he said no, too low.

Does this happen a lot? If so, what's the typical amount above their demands that they would sign for? I don't want to let it get to where other teams can sign him, but also don't want to overpay.

Seems odd...they were his demands, I met them, but it wasn't enough (he sounds like my wife!) ... why not just ask for more at the outset.

What was his "communication" before you offered? "I'm filing for free agency no matter what?" or "Unless you blow me away with a great offer, I'm filing for free agency?" Those are dubious. Guys who are openly signable usually say "I'll play for whoever shows me the money."

"Unless you really surprise me with a great offer, I'm filing for free agency."

Which I get...but then why did he only ask for 3x$4.6 instead of something more? I said yes to his 3x$4.6. now do I go 3x$5.6, or is this gonna take 3x$8.6 or something obscene? I only get 2 cycles before free agency opens up

Agreed it's a gray area what "a great offer" is. But contracts are valued by the total dollar value of the deal, not the average. If you like the guy enough to keep him around I'd offer four or five. Example 3 x 5.6 = 16.8, a 22% increase. 4 x 4.6 = 18.4, a 33% increase.

Spitballing, I'd try 4 x 5.0 if your budget can handle it.

"Unless you really surprise me with a great offer, I'm filing for free agency." means you have to offer more than they're asking. Bump it up gradually through each cycle until you hit the magic number.

Post-mortem...he asked for 3x$4.6...I kept raising to 3x$6.5...didn't sign, window closed. I didn't think of adding years before window closed.

My point was, why ask for $4.6/yr when not even willing to sign for $6.5/yr...doesn't make sense.

1) The $4.6M "asking price" reflects what he'll ask for on the open market once he gets there. He's asking more from you because, well, he doesn't like SF or you didn't have his favorite beer on tap in the clubhouse or whatever.
2) The "magic number" is, in my experience, always 1.5x. You needed to get to $6.9M to land him.

ok...that's great to know...1.5x. too late for this guy, but good for the future...thanks.

I think it’s 1.5x the total value of the contract. Adding extra years with a mutual option is the best way to get there.

I am open to being corrected, but $4.6/yr "sounds" like an avg FA who probably could be signed for less on open market than the 1.5x being suggested

the post-post-mortem is I got the guy on the open free agency market for a lot less than the offer he turned down during the exclusive period.

now I want to send him to Lo-A to think about his decisions.