Newbie question... so I was just wondering, If I sign a player to an arbitration deal after his 3rd year, 4th year, 5th year (Then sign him after 6th), isn't that cheaper than signing a 3 yr long term deal after his 3rd year? Why would you give them a long term deal? Does it affect player performance? Or they won't agree to a long term deal after their 4th, 5th, or 6th year? Thanks.

The safest play is to sign your guys long term after their 5th season.  If you arb the player 3 times, sometimes he refuses to sign long-term.

Makes sense... thanks     

I MEANT to sign two guys with 5 years big league experience to long term deals. But I failed to realize that the long-term option goes away before arbitration starts. Instead I had to sign them to their short term (and higher) arbitration cost. Have I lost my chance to lock these guys up?

You may have(some guys don't take 3 arbs personal) but the LT option doesn't disappear.   The link is in the body of the arb screen.

You can check it by going to the FA screen and setting it for next year.    Those guys will be there and they will tell you their plans. 

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