Upcoming Free Agent you wish to not sign
 

How does everyone handle this situation? Assume you dont wish to sign expiring player in the offseason and they have very high trade value. Do you:

Let him walk for nothing
Offer a qualifying off and let him walk
Trade him in season to a team looking to get out of a large/longer contract
Trade him in season for prospects to a contender

Re: Upcoming Free Agent you wish to not sign
 

Usually try to trade for prospects. But there needs to be an option to sign players before their deals are up. If i want to give someone an extension i shouldnt have to wait.

Re: Upcoming Free Agent you wish to not sign
 

The question is players you wish to not resign however.

I got thinking of this when I look to deal with Corey Hart in my Brewers season when I begin I am not a huge fan of him and I fully expect he will want between 7-10 per. I'm not prepared to pay him that type of contract and may look to move him.

Ex. 1 I considered packaging him in a larger deal to get a player like say David Wright who has a large contract on a team looking to rebuild handing them a expiring to work with IRL the mets wouldnt make that move as wright is the face of the franchise but just an example.

Ex 2 I move Hart to the mets and bring back Ike Davis + not exactly a prospect but a high potential player with a more friendly contract that can play now.

Ex 3 I take my chances and offer him a qualifying offer at 13+ and run the risk I'm stuck with him (likely) but I could get a draft pick

Ex 4 I just let him flat out walk away


These are no means moves I am or will be making I have just explored the mets option being that if I take Davis it gives them a Wright/Hart combo that could work for them. Also gives them flexibility in OF if they wish to move him there.

Re: Upcoming Free Agent you wish to not sign
 

I usually try and get some prospects back. I play my franchises as the Astros so I'm always looking for some young depth. That being said I try and keep the trades realistic so depending on the player the prospects aren't usually "great".

Re: Upcoming Free Agent you wish to not sign
 

Trade him to a contender for prospects.

But never to a team within my division, & I try not to trade him within my league.

Re: Upcoming Free Agent you wish to not sign
 

I usually go for prospects, but it really depends on who I'm trading, depending on how the season is going, if I can get what I want that's great, if not I'll usually sign him, if he's worth much, and trade him next season! It's risky but what the hay!

Re: Upcoming Free Agent you wish to not sign
 

Qualifying offer is too risky as In my experience they always accept

Re: Upcoming Free Agent you wish to not sign
 

I try to get prospects, at least B's if not A's.:D