I need Franchise help

[Avsfan192]

Im the Blue Jays, and our rise to the top was going well, All the rising stars had risen(Lawrie, Drabek etc.) and I had added a few pieces(B.J. Upton, Braden, etc.) and I just finished the 2013 season going 82-80. Next season was the season where we make a playoff push. But...

Impending FA's- Drabek, Romero, Lawrie, Braden, Singleton, etc.

The big problem was that I didnt get a budget increase, and Drabek was asking for 14M, Romero 10M, Lawrie 7.5M, Braden 4M, Singleton 3M. I only had 26M to spend so I went to arbitration with Drabek, Lawrie (and a few others), Drabek won 14M, Lawrie won 7.5M. I let go of Romero, resigned Braden and Singleton. Along with resigning other small pieces, Drabek's 14M put me 8.5M over budget.

What I want to do is trade B.J. Upton(8.5M) as I still have Gose ready to take over. And I want to trade Bautista(3M but underperforming). Unfortunately NO ONE IS WILLING TO TRADE. There were already 20+ trades in the off-season and a lot of teams are hugging there budget.

So what the hell can I do? Is there anyway I can ask for a budget increase? Is there any hope for me to make the playoffs? What happens if I play the season over budget?

[Jgainsey]

Re: I need Franchise help

Have you tried taking any loans?

Also, make sure you're charging as much as possible for tickets and parking(while still keeping the arrows green). This isn't a quick fix, but you can definitely generate some extra cash over the course of a season.

[BlueNGold]

Re: I need Franchise help

Not what you're looking for, but I'm just curious how you got Upton? I'm running with the Jays in my franchise as well and wouldn't mind knowing.

[Avsfan192]

Re: I need Franchise help

Not what you're looking for, but I'm just curious how you got Upton? I'm running with the Jays in my franchise as well and wouldn't mind knowing.

I signed him in free agency. 5 year deal worth 8.5M a season. I highly recommend getting him, good speed, great arm, and last season hitting at the top of the order he got 29 HR and 75 RBI

[vilsack08]

Re: I need Franchise help

The only way to get a budget increase is to finish with a top 8 record or make the playoffs and win a round. A winning record that isn't in the top 8 will get you an unchanged budget. Losing records will earn you a shrinking budget. Your money situation is irrelevant. You can have a billion dollars in cash and turn a profit of $200 million...it won't matter a lick.

If you go over your player budget you will be unable to sign any further free agents. Check your roster and see if you're overpaying anyone and trade them away. That may be Upton, but there may also be a reliever or minor leaguer making an inordinate amount of cash. I'm playing as the Royals and don't pay any relievers (except the closer) over $2M/year. When they start asking for more, I let them become free agents and either convert a minor league starter or get a cheap free agent.

Also, make sure your player morale is as high as possible heading into the offseason. If you have injuries turned on, get all four of the morale-boosting rehab pieces. If you have injuries disabled, you don't really need the rehab stuff, and I'm unsure if it will have any effect on morale. With high player morale, free agents will be that much more likely to sign with you, and will sign at a cheaper rate. Ubaldo wanted 110/5 and I managed to sign him to a much cheaper contract (I think it was 75/5). I was then able to trade him to Boston for three top prospects.