Nobody was forced to make a deal with Mike because he was lying about what was happening. 

If anybody did feel compelled to make an offer for the players out of some feeling of "Ha ha, he screwed up, I'm going to take advantage of him" that they would not have made had he been straight up with everybody, then that's on them.  They're the ones making deals for the wrong reasons.

Posted by joshkvt on 7/15/2015 11:14:00 PM (view original):
So pretty much you asked a question when you are only willing to accept one answer? Well, two if you count "too long."

I could be persuaded that it's not dirty, but my first reaction was that it is because it is a flat-out lie, rather than exaggerating value/role. I view it as the difference between saying "Other teams want this guy" vs. "I have 2 offers in hand", when no offers have been made. Other teams could well want the guy so the former is misleading but not necessarily untrue. The latter is untrue.

But even if it is dirty, it's probably not the dirtiest thing that happened in any given world on any given day. And certainly not worth having a fit about.

I gave three options.   Those are the answers.   Anything else is just opinion.

Seems to me you're really splitting hairs.   I'm of the belief that most trade negotiations are peppered with dishonesty.   I don't differentiate between "There have been discussions" and "I have offers".   Discussion could be "What do you want?" and offers could be "How about Bob and Joe for Bill?" without a real offer.

Here's the guy I got:  Hardball Dynasty – Fantasy Baseball Sim Games - Player Profile: Benny Polonia
Here's who I traded:  Hardball Dynasty – Fantasy Baseball Sim Games - Player Profile: Bruce Carter
Here's who was claimed on the WW:  Hardball Dynasty – Fantasy Baseball Sim Games - Player Profile: Raymond Bale

At the end of the day, no one had to trade me anything.   Both players were on the WW.  There was no fabrication to that.  How they got there is kind of unimportant.  How I manipulated the situation is all that's in question.    I'm of the belief that my "Oopsie.  I messed up" could have been taken one of two ways:  1.  I really did screw up.   2.  I was up to something.     While I'm sure many would like to believe I screwed up, they should probably know better.   So then it's up to them to figure out what I was up to.   Since payroll can be seen by anyone, and Jimmy wasn't exactly anonymous, I think the puzzle could have been put together.

All I know is crickett13 would be flipping tables over and breaking windows and **** - if this happened in a league he was in.

People do it to themselves. The person who made you the deal gave you waaaay too much.

I see someone say 'I meant to put those guys on the block' I respond with 'I made a claim but I'm not sure I will get them. Here is an offer below market value. Take it or leave it'.

Owners love to compete against each other and shoot themselves in the foot. I think this move is brilliant because it's a gamble. You could have lost both players and gotten nothing in return. I'm guessing it's the owner of Colorado that is made at you because they got taken?

it was too long, so I didn't read it all. did however many guys you waived pass thru waivers? and then owners sent you offers after? it's on them then

The last 3 deals you rejected is the best I would have offered.

This happens a bit in hockey now with the salary cap. A player will come up and be an unrestricted free agent meaning that any team can make an offer to the player but their origional franchise has a chance to match the offer. If the new franchise wins the player, the origional franchise gets draft picks. So teams will often go to a franchise and say 'we are going to offer your player more then you have in cap room. You would get a first round pick and a second. We will offer you a first right now so you can save face and make it look like trading him was your idea.'

restricted free agent, i thought. offer sheets

I was prepared to accept none and roll the dice on the WW.   I wasn't going to make a horrible deal.   But, like you, I'd have offered little if the roles were reversed unless I really wanted one of the guys.   Carter has a favorable contract and has been very consistent in his career.   Polonia is OK but you can find those guys at the end of FA every time. 

Whatever the reason, blatantly lying and then bragging about how lying made your team better is shady to me. Good for you on making good GM moves, but I'd avoid deals with an owner in a world where that situation came up.

That's fair.  I'm sure I've made people more wary in trade talks.  Although, to be honest, I assume 75% of trade talk with owners I "trust" is bullshit.  

If nothing else, owners may look at all angles before trading.   IMO, that's a good thing.    As I said, anyone could have figured out that I was trying to clear up 6m in salary for S37.   And, after a quick look at my FA, figured out why.

That said, I'm sure the 11 who have voted "dirty" are 100% truthful in trade talks.   Never try to sell their turd as better than he is.   Saints, they are.   Saints, I say!!!

As the guy who traded him Polonia, I can say that I don't really have a problem with it.

It didn't really affect me either way. If he'd have just said "Carter is available for trade and I'll take the best offer by 3:00pm," we'd have probably ended up with the same deal.

All the nonsense about hiding true intentions and freeing up cap space for Powell was irrelevant to me. I'm not in the Powell sweepstakes so I don't really care. I was looking for a #3 starter. Trading Polonia for him was better for me than overpaying in free agency.

I wasn't interested in "The Great Jimmy Powell." I was interested in "The Pretty Good Bruce Carter."

So although it was kind of unnecessary from my perspective, It didn't bother me and I'm certainly not offended by it.

You're new to the league.   You'll be interested in The Great Jimmy Powell soon enough.   Or at least annoyed by my constant references to him.

But, yeah, I think you got a good deal and how you got there probably shouldn't matter.