for arbitration eligible players (before ML yr 6) that I want to keep, should I just let the system (hearing) work itself out?  Is that the best (only) strategy?  

should I always let arb work itself out until ML yr 5 and then try to negotiate long term (if I want to keep player)?

for arb players that I want to sign long term, if he "wants to stay/just make an offer", is he guaranteed to sign if I meet his demand?  What if I offer something slightly lower but more years?  Can someone share what is the best thing to do?

how do I dump an arb player to FA?

1. No. You can negotiate with them, but few, in my experience, will take any less than about 90-95% of what they are asking for. If you let the system do it, it will offer 70%, and the player will get awarded their asking price every time. If you offer a little less than they are asking, you might save a few bucks here and there which you can use for IFAs and draftees later.

2. I usually arb a guy twice once they are eligible. If you arb 3 times, there is a good chance they will leave. So, if you have a guy you want to keep, arb him twice, then sign him LT. Signing him sooner than that is usually a waste of money.

3. If they say they will sign, they will. You can try to offer less, but no guarantee they will take it. They don't get angry though. They will still sign for their aking price even if they decline other offers. In my experience, some will sign for an additional year or 2. Doesn't hurt to try.

4. If you don't want to arb a player or sign him FA, you must release him before arb ends or the sysyem will make the 70% offer and you'll be stuck with him. Releasing him during arb will cost you no money. Release him after arb and you're on the hook for his whole salary.

Q:  how do I dump an arb player to FA?

A:  Use the release feature in GM's Office > Roster Management > Edit Rosters.  And, as torrone says, do it before arb ends, and you are on the hook for nothing.

thanks for the responses.  So how do I offer my arb figure?  Say the player is in arb1 and his salary is $2.3 mil.  Is that his asking price for this season?  Where do i go to offer him my arb number?

On the screen with the list of players, there should be an option to arbitrate.  Then it will give you a screen just for that player.  At the bottom, you can enter your arbitration number.  The SIM will then choose one of the two dollar figures.  You also can negotiate a long-term deal for the player.

Posted by doitagain on 10/2/2010 3:07:00 PM (view original):
thanks for the responses.  So how do I offer my arb figure?  Say the player is in arb1 and his salary is $2.3 mil.  Is that his asking price for this season?  Where do i go to offer him my arb number?

The Arbitraion page is located in the GM's Office. Of course, you must be in the arbitration period before you can make your offer. Check your league schedule to see when it starts. Before arb starts is when you can offer LT contracts to your own arb eligible players. Once arb starts, the option to offer LT contracts is gone. The $2.3M in your example is his asking price. You make a counter offer. Offer too low or too close to the player's offer will usually result in the player winning the arb. Whichever offer the arbitrator chooses is his salary for the year. On top of the offer sheet is also an average price for a player in his situation.