FOF Contract Renegotiation Question

[aquatix]

Ok, let's say this is his contract:
http://www.ifl.cc/collins.jpg

The playoffs are a week away and I want to re-sign my guys who are about to expire now.

Couple of questions:

1. It seems funny that I'm renegotiating for this year when it's almost over. I have 7 million in space this year. Anyway to give him more this year and less next, since my cap space is wasted this year?

2. I only want to sign him for next season and no further, how do i know what to offer? His loyalty is average (48) and he doesn't care about being on a winner (4) although I have the best record in the league.

So how can I best sign him for only 1 more year? I need to save as much $$ as possible. What about 'franchising' him? Please advise on my best course of action. Thanks!

[Passacaglia]

1. I usually increase the current year salary to be equal to next year's salary, then decrease the signing bonus by the same amount.

[Passacaglia]

2. If you're willing to pay the average of the Top 5 salaries, and you only want him one more year, you might as well franchise him. The only thing is that you won't get to trade him when you're done with him. You can also try just making that least year a "0" and see what he says about that deal. Most likely that's cheaper than franchising, though you can get a pretty good idea of what NEXT year's franchise salaries will be based on this year's.

[QuikSand]

I suspect that if all you want is one more year, using the tag on him makes the most sense. Remember, all you have to pay him is the average of the top 5 salaries - which doesn't include the effects of signing bonuses. Check what that amount is this year, and if that's fairly affordable to you - I wouldn't extend teh contract, I'd just tag him.

[albionmoonlight]

Cut his third year. Make his salary for this and next year equal. Cut the bonus by the amount you increase this year's salary (and by a little more since it is a bonus for two years and not three) and see if that flies.