How to trade often and 'WIN' EVERY TIME

[madd futher mucker 36]

I joined a new (for me) money league this year consisting of me, eleven total strangers, a very remote acquaintance, and my son. They all live in the same metro area and are friends. I live 1000 miles away. Only I and one other guy didn't attend a draft party but instead drafted by phone. In prior years, I have been told there has been only a couple trades each year. This year there's already been 8 league trades so far and I have been in 6 of them. Since I don't know and don't talk talk to any of them (excluding my son - we of course talk on the phone), all trade discussion is brief and through league e-mail. I've found that many principles I've learned from a career as a very successful sales professional and negotiator can be directly applied to fantasy football trading situations.

 

Through this site, I've observed from some posters a general frustration about lack of trading in their league, and seen many discussions about 'fair trades' and the ethics of trading. (For one of the more interesting discussions, topic search for 'do i have a right to be pissed'.) Here are some do's and don'ts if you want to be a very successful trader.

 

Treat him as your trading partner and not your advisary.

 

ANALYZE his team as if it were your own, and figure out a solution to HIS problem in a way that will also benefit you. This is the ONLY BASIS for successful trading.

You can't trade with someone who doesn't feel they have a roster problem. Fortunately very few managers are ever totally satisfied with their roster.

 

Propose a few trades each week based on the above analysis - your abililty to see his team through his eyes will improve only through practice. I try to average 2 new trade proposals a week. If you are GREAT, you will only close about 20%.

 

You must be persistent if you want to make trades. This does not mean throwing out the same exact trade each week. (I finally landed TO after trying 3 different combinations of players.) Encourage counterproposals without 'lowballing' your initial offer.

 

All trades and all solutions MUST BE WIN-WIN - that doesn't mean that they have to be absolutely balanced. IT ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT MATTER WHO 'CAME OUT AHEAD' FROM THE TRADE - AS LONG AS YOU BOTH BENEFIT SOME. Corellary: NEVER try to 'screw' somebody - It will ALWAYS backfire - at least to the point where nobody will trade with you anymore.

 

Always complete trades on a timely basis, and request the same from your trading partner - Never let a trade offer 'hang' more than a few hours. Get trades done by midweek so as not to cause problems with weekly lineup deadlines.

 

"Buy low" is over-rated. It is human nature to hang on too long to an underperformer who cost a high draft choice. It is actually hard to get him to trade his Culpepper, Gonzalez or Mi. Clayton. Forget about it - try addressing his NEEDS instead (ie, no depth at RB's where you may be stacked).

He'll drop his underperformers only when he is ready and not before.

 

"Sell high" is much easier. I WW picked up Frisman Jackson after wk #1 and trade-bundled him for value after week 2. And did the same thing with P.Pass last week. Remember most people chase stocks when the market is hot if they see a stock 'starting to take off'.

 

Never disparage a trade proposal NO MATTER HOW INSULTED you feel. And always make a counter offer. Two weeks ago, a guy offered me his Cincy D for M.Moore. My note with the trade decline was: I'd really like to do a deal, but this seems a little one sided to me. But I think my Moore for your Galloway is a fair trade for both of us. Get back to me if you're interested in this or anything else that is might help both of us".

 

Always trade a B (solid starter) for a B, or 2 or 3 B's for an A (stud). Don't even try to trade a B for an A , or a C (bye week filler) for his B. THEY won't take you seriously if you propose these kind of trades. BTW, it is far easier to trade 2 or 3 B's for an A with a losing team that lacks depth than getting a winning team to part with his stud.

 

Don't try to unload your injured players, and NEVER do it without full disclosure. In some cases you can trade FOR injured players if they are FOR SURE getting active soon, but don't trade for players with knee, high ankle, groin or hamstring pulls. You're just buying a waste of roster space.

 

When you complete a trade, send a note: "I really enjoyed trading with you and I hope Green and Jimmy Smith have great seasons. If you have any other trade ideas that might benefit both of us, I'd sure like to hear about them."

 

ALWAYS leave your trading partner feeling great about the trade he just made. I like to ask him to enter the trade proposal for me to accept. It gives him more 'ownership', especially if I instigated the trade proposal.

 

When you can't do a deal, send a note: "I'm sorry we couldn't make this one work, please keep me in mind if you ever have any other trade ideas that might benefit both of us.

 

 

If you follow these ideas, you will find people proposing trades to you who never would have traded before. I know this was long, and yet there are many other ideas i left out. If you can think of any, please add to the thread. Happy trading.

[Sweetness_34 0]

Great post. I do follow quite a few of this, and I do land up getting what I want.

 

To me, the key to be successful in trading for what you want is targetting those people who are 1-5, 0-6 etc and giving them 2 or 3 very solid players for a stud that you want. For eg - Hasselback + Glenn for TO. The key is that you should have the depth. And the key is you should be ready to go pick up a Jeff Garcia to rebuild your depth if you traded it away.

[SFGeek 0]

Maybe the reason a lot of trades in my league don't work is because people like to tell others to Fock off if they feel the trade is lopsided.

 

Personally, the direct cussing feels much better.

[ROBOKOP 0]

........sooooooooooo tell me about your six trades.

[Guest William_Bradford]

I joined a new (for me) money league this year consisting of me, eleven total strangers, a very remote acquaintance, and my son. They all live in the same metro area and are friends. I live 1000 miles away. Only I and one other guy didn't attend a draft party but instead drafted by phone. In prior years, I have been told there has been only a couple trades each year. This year there's already been 8 league trades so far and I have been in 6 of them. Since I don't know and don't talk talk to any of them (excluding my son - we of course talk on the phone), all trade discussion is brief and through league e-mail. I've found that many principles I've learned from a career as a very successful sales professional and negotiator can be directly applied to fantasy football trading situations.

 

Through this site, I've observed from some posters a general frustration about lack of trading in their league, and seen many discussions about 'fair trades' and the ethics of trading. (For one of the more interesting discussions, topic search for 'do i have a right to be pissed'.) Here are some do's and don'ts if you want to be a very successful trader.

 

Treat him as your trading partner and not your advisary.

 

ANALYZE his team as if it were your own, and figure out a solution to HIS problem in a way that will also benefit you. This is the ONLY BASIS for successful trading.

You can't trade with someone who doesn't feel they have a roster problem. Fortunately very few managers are ever totally satisfied with their roster.

 

Propose a few trades each week based on the above analysis - your abililty to see his team through his eyes will improve only through practice. I try to average 2 new trade proposals a week. If you are GREAT, you will only close about 20%.

 

You must be persistent if you want to make trades. This does not mean throwing out the same exact trade each week. (I finally landed TO after trying 3 different combinations of players.) Encourage counterproposals without 'lowballing' your initial offer.

 

All trades and all solutions MUST BE WIN-WIN - that doesn't mean that they have to be absolutely balanced. IT ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT MATTER WHO 'CAME OUT AHEAD' FROM THE TRADE - AS LONG AS YOU BOTH BENEFIT SOME. Corellary: NEVER try to 'screw' somebody - It will ALWAYS backfire - at least to the point where nobody will trade with you anymore.

 

Always complete trades on a timely basis, and request the same from your trading partner - Never let a trade offer 'hang' more than a few hours. Get trades done by midweek so as not to cause problems with weekly lineup deadlines.

 

"Buy low" is over-rated. It is human nature to hang on too long to an underperformer who cost a high draft choice. It is actually hard to get him to trade his Culpepper, Gonzalez or Mi. Clayton. Forget about it - try addressing his NEEDS instead (ie, no depth at RB's where you may be stacked).

He'll drop his underperformers only when he is ready and not before.

 

"Sell high" is much easier. I WW picked up Frisman Jackson after wk #1 and trade-bundled him for value after week 2. And did the same thing with P.Pass last week. Remember most people chase stocks when the market is hot if they see a stock 'starting to take off'.

 

Never disparage a trade proposal NO MATTER HOW INSULTED you feel. And always make a counter offer. Two weeks ago, a guy offered me his Cincy D for M.Moore. My note with the trade decline was: I'd really like to do a deal, but this seems a little one sided to me. But I think my Moore for your Galloway is a fair trade for both of us. Get back to me if you're interested in this or anything else that is might help both of us".

 

Always trade a B (solid starter) for a B, or 2 or 3 B's for an A (stud). Don't even try to trade a B for an A , or a C (bye week filler) for his B. THEY won't take you seriously if you propose these kind of trades. BTW, it is far easier to trade 2 or 3 B's for an A with a losing team that lacks depth than getting a winning team to part with his stud.

 

Don't try to unload your injured players, and NEVER do it without full disclosure. In some cases you can trade FOR injured players if they are FOR SURE getting active soon, but don't trade for players with knee, high ankle, groin or hamstring pulls. You're just buying a waste of roster space.

 

When you complete a trade, send a note: "I really enjoyed trading with you and I hope Green and Jimmy Smith have great seasons. If you have any other trade ideas that might benefit both of us, I'd sure like to hear about them."

 

ALWAYS leave your trading partner feeling great about the trade he just made. I like to ask him to enter the trade proposal for me to accept. It gives him more 'ownership', especially if I instigated the trade proposal.

 

When you can't do a deal, send a note: "I'm sorry we couldn't make this one work, please keep me in mind if you ever have any other trade ideas that might benefit both of us.

 

 

If you follow these ideas, you will find people proposing trades to you who never would have traded before. I know this was long, and yet there are many other ideas i left out. If you can think of any, please add to the thread. Happy trading.

you are a cool guy

 

[Guest William_Bradford]

I joined a new (for me) money league this year consisting of me, eleven total strangers, a very remote acquaintance, and my son. They all live in the same metro area and are friends. I live 1000 miles away. Only I and one other guy didn't attend a draft party but instead drafted by phone. In prior years, I have been told there has been only a couple trades each year. This year there's already been 8 league trades so far and I have been in 6 of them. Since I don't know and don't talk talk to any of them (excluding my son - we of course talk on the phone), all trade discussion is brief and through league e-mail. I've found that many principles I've learned from a career as a very successful sales professional and negotiator can be directly applied to fantasy football trading situations.

 

Through this site, I've observed from some posters a general frustration about lack of trading in their league, and seen many discussions about 'fair trades' and the ethics of trading. (For one of the more interesting discussions, topic search for 'do i have a right to be pissed'.) Here are some do's and don'ts if you want to be a very successful trader.

 

Treat him as your trading partner and not your advisary.

 

ANALYZE his team as if it were your own, and figure out a solution to HIS problem in a way that will also benefit you. This is the ONLY BASIS for successful trading.

You can't trade with someone who doesn't feel they have a roster problem. Fortunately very few managers are ever totally satisfied with their roster.

 

Propose a few trades each week based on the above analysis - your abililty to see his team through his eyes will improve only through practice. I try to average 2 new trade proposals a week. If you are GREAT, you will only close about 20%.

 

You must be persistent if you want to make trades. This does not mean throwing out the same exact trade each week. (I finally landed TO after trying 3 different combinations of players.) Encourage counterproposals without 'lowballing' your initial offer.

 

All trades and all solutions MUST BE WIN-WIN - that doesn't mean that they have to be absolutely balanced. IT ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT MATTER WHO 'CAME OUT AHEAD' FROM THE TRADE - AS LONG AS YOU BOTH BENEFIT SOME. Corellary: NEVER try to 'screw' somebody - It will ALWAYS backfire - at least to the point where nobody will trade with you anymore.

 

Always complete trades on a timely basis, and request the same from your trading partner - Never let a trade offer 'hang' more than a few hours. Get trades done by midweek so as not to cause problems with weekly lineup deadlines.

 

"Buy low" is over-rated. It is human nature to hang on too long to an underperformer who cost a high draft choice. It is actually hard to get him to trade his Culpepper, Gonzalez or Mi. Clayton. Forget about it - try addressing his NEEDS instead (ie, no depth at RB's where you may be stacked).

He'll drop his underperformers only when he is ready and not before.

 

"Sell high" is much easier. I WW picked up Frisman Jackson after wk #1 and trade-bundled him for value after week 2. And did the same thing with P.Pass last week. Remember most people chase stocks when the market is hot if they see a stock 'starting to take off'.

 

Never disparage a trade proposal NO MATTER HOW INSULTED you feel. And always make a counter offer. Two weeks ago, a guy offered me his Cincy D for M.Moore. My note with the trade decline was: I'd really like to do a deal, but this seems a little one sided to me. But I think my Moore for your Galloway is a fair trade for both of us. Get back to me if you're interested in this or anything else that is might help both of us".

 

Always trade a B (solid starter) for a B, or 2 or 3 B's for an A (stud). Don't even try to trade a B for an A , or a C (bye week filler) for his B. THEY won't take you seriously if you propose these kind of trades. BTW, it is far easier to trade 2 or 3 B's for an A with a losing team that lacks depth than getting a winning team to part with his stud.

 

Don't try to unload your injured players, and NEVER do it without full disclosure. In some cases you can trade FOR injured players if they are FOR SURE getting active soon, but don't trade for players with knee, high ankle, groin or hamstring pulls. You're just buying a waste of roster space.

 

When you complete a trade, send a note: "I really enjoyed trading with you and I hope Green and Jimmy Smith have great seasons. If you have any other trade ideas that might benefit both of us, I'd sure like to hear about them."

 

ALWAYS leave your trading partner feeling great about the trade he just made. I like to ask him to enter the trade proposal for me to accept. It gives him more 'ownership', especially if I instigated the trade proposal.

 

When you can't do a deal, send a note: "I'm sorry we couldn't make this one work, please keep me in mind if you ever have any other trade ideas that might benefit both of us.

 

 

If you follow these ideas, you will find people proposing trades to you who never would have traded before. I know this was long, and yet there are many other ideas i left out. If you can think of any, please add to the thread. Happy trading.

you must play in a league with a bunch of focking retards to be able to talk to them like they are focking jackasses.

[Guest William_Bradford]

I joined a new (for me) money league this year consisting of me, eleven total strangers, a very remote acquaintance, and my son.  They all live in the same metro area and are friends. I live 1000 miles away.  Only I and one other guy didn't attend a draft party but instead drafted by phone.  In prior years, I have been told there has been only a couple trades each year.  This year there's already been 8 league trades so far and I have been in 6 of them.  Since I don't  know and don't talk talk to any of them (excluding my son - we of course talk on the phone), all trade discussion is brief and through league e-mail.  I've found that many principles I've learned from a career as a very successful sales professional and negotiator can be directly applied to fantasy football trading situations.

 

Through this site, I've observed from some posters a general frustration about lack of trading in their league, and seen many discussions about 'fair trades' and the ethics of trading.  (For one of the more interesting discussions, topic search for 'do i have a right to be pissed'.)  Here are some do's and don'ts if you want to be a very successful trader.

 

Treat him as your trading partner and not your advisary.

 

ANALYZE his team as if it were your own, and figure out a solution to HIS problem in a way that will also benefit you.  This is the ONLY BASIS for successful trading.

You can't trade with someone who doesn't feel they have a roster problem.  Fortunately very few managers are ever totally satisfied with their roster.

 

Propose a few trades each week based on the above analysis - your abililty to see his team through his eyes will improve only through practice.  I try to average 2 new trade proposals a week.  If you are GREAT, you will only close about 20%.

 

You must be persistent if you want to make trades.  This does not mean throwing out the same exact trade each week.  (I finally landed TO after trying 3 different combinations of players.)  Encourage counterproposals without 'lowballing' your initial offer.

 

All trades and all solutions MUST BE WIN-WIN - that doesn't mean that they have to be absolutely balanced.  IT ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT MATTER WHO 'CAME OUT AHEAD'  FROM THE TRADE  - AS LONG AS YOU BOTH BENEFIT SOME.  Corellary: NEVER try to 'screw' somebody - It will ALWAYS backfire - at least to the point where nobody will trade with you anymore.

 

Always complete trades on a timely basis, and request the same from your trading partner - Never let a trade offer 'hang' more than a few hours.  Get trades done by midweek so as not to cause problems with weekly lineup deadlines.

 

"Buy low" is over-rated.  It is human nature to hang on too long to an underperformer who cost a high draft choice.  It is actually hard to get him to trade his Culpepper, Gonzalez or Mi. Clayton.  Forget about it - try addressing his NEEDS instead (ie, no depth at RB's where you may be stacked).

He'll drop his underperformers only when he is ready and not before.

 

"Sell high" is much easier.  I WW picked up Frisman Jackson after wk #1 and trade-bundled him for value after week 2.  And did the same thing with P.Pass last week.  Remember most people chase stocks when the market is hot if they see a stock 'starting to take off'.

 

Never disparage a trade proposal NO MATTER HOW INSULTED you feel.  And always make a counter offer.  Two weeks ago, a guy offered me his Cincy D for M.Moore.  My note with the trade decline was: I'd really like to do a deal, but this seems a little one sided to me.  But I think my Moore for your Galloway is a fair trade for both of us.  Get back to me if you're interested in this or anything else that is might help both of us".

 

Always trade a B (solid starter) for a B, or 2 or 3 B's for an A (stud).  Don't even try to trade a B for an A , or a C (bye week filler) for his B.  THEY won't take you seriously if you propose these kind of trades.  BTW, it is far easier to trade 2 or 3 B's for an A with a losing team that lacks depth than getting a winning team to part with his stud.

 

Don't try to unload your injured players, and NEVER do it without full disclosure.  In some cases you can trade FOR injured players if they are FOR SURE getting active soon, but don't trade for players with knee, high ankle, groin or hamstring pulls.  You're just buying a waste of roster space.

 

When you complete a trade, send a note: "I really enjoyed trading with you and I hope Green and Jimmy Smith have great seasons.  If you have any other trade ideas that might benefit both of us, I'd sure like to hear about them."

 

ALWAYS leave your trading partner feeling great about the trade he just made.  I like to ask him to enter the trade proposal for me to accept.  It gives him more 'ownership', especially if I instigated the trade proposal.

 

When you can't do a deal, send a note: "I'm sorry we couldn't make this one work, please keep me in mind if you ever have any other trade ideas that might benefit both of us.

 

 

If you follow these ideas, you will find people proposing trades to you who never would have traded before.  I know this was long, and yet there are many other ideas i left out.  If you can think of any, please add to the thread.  Happy trading.

1st place in your league

 

http://students.villanova.edu/nscs/images/...pics%20pic4.jpg

[Guest Rock Hard]

Good post, dude.... also good info for life. Another

 

Myself - HATE trades as they tilt the karma of a league... I mean, the ideal is "I'm weak at RB and have more than I need WRs, you're weak at WR and have more than you need RBs - let's help each other out.." Instead, folks treat as "I'll screw you with my player who's sure to bomb in the future and take your player who's sure to breakout" ... that's just fockin' wrong - unsportsmanlike and not a nice way to treat others. The other abuse is da collusion one - "my best friend needs help and I suck this year and have no hope, so I'll tilt da balance by giving him a stud and take his dud"...

I've seen more than enough of both approaches - makes me sick.....

 

In my money league, we have a team real money "salary cap" ... teams can offer up to $150 to other team for player(s) in trade (cap is total for whole season - once you reach that no more money can be offered) .... after seeing other teams "boost" their lineup later in season (up to add/drop deadline) I've finally had to bite da personal feelings bullet and do the same this year (am 5-1 and feel this is my year - just got Anquon Bolden and Jeff Wilkins for Patten/J. Reed/$150)... note this league expanded to 16 teams this year and WW REALLY sux... and da money payouts make the $150 "chump change"..... will see how it works out...

 

but bottom line - IMHO the concept of trades sux - wish they wouldn't be allowed at all, keep owners on their toes to draft better and WW better to compete and win.... oh well.....

[J-Mo 0]

Trades Gone Wrong

 

Your lessons point to errors made in my recent trade debacle. I'll share for grins.

 

I put Tom Brady on the block for an RB (I have dillon, shipp, faulk, and now A. Smith). I got a reply from a person interested in improving at WR. He offered me Rudi Johnson for Jimmy Smith. He said he would give me Randle El & Johnson for Smith & Shipp. I countered with Boldin or Chambers and offered a choice of A. Smith or Shipp. I felt J. Smith was my number 1 receiver and I was getting his bench RB.

 

Rules I broke so far - I made a general appeal and didn't target an individual. I immediately countered the proposal which may have been a fair deal.

 

Now here is where it gets kind of hinky. He hits the waiver wire and picks up J. Jurevicious dropping Randle El. 5 minutes later he sends an email that he will consider Boldin but not Chambers. 2 minutes after that he submitted his lineup.

 

I wrote him back and said I accept the trade but wondered who he was putting up at WR since he had dropped Randle El. No reply. I wrote to the commisioner and said we had a trade in principle but needed to confirm players. I confirmed we could take the trade up to the deadline for lineup submittals and that we could post revisions to the lineups until that deadline. I sent another email to my "trading partner" to reassure him that he would be able to play Boldin if he acted immediately.

 

At two mintues to kickoff Sunday he writes that he has decided to wait on the trade until after week 5 but that he is still interested for the next week.

 

I play Boldin he does very well. He plays Joe J and he does very well. I approach him on Tuesday about the trade. He is also approached by the Deuce owner (who I stupidly tipped off that Deuce was out long term and who knew that I'd been working on a trade for Rudi). The guy then puts Rudi on the block for best offers. I offered Jimmy Smith, thinking this is the guy he asked for and I should have given it to him. He takes the other guys trade and says (to the other guy not me) I am insulting him by low-balling with J. Smith when I originally had Boldin up. There was no discussion. No asking for Boldin instead.

 

The BEST part of all of this is that I play him this week. He has bad Bye Week issues now thinks to his trade. He got Steve Smith in the deal he made (Bye) and his RBs are also hurt or on Bye because the guy he got for Rudi is on bye.

 

I may have kept it sweet and appropriate in the email exchange leading up to a trade but after the under handed dealing I lit up the league with some superior trash talking. EVERYONE knows how this sneaky deal went down. Good luck to both on future trading!

 

DONT MESS WITH A WOMAN AND HER FOOTBALL!

 

J-Mo

[madd futher mucker 36]

Some responses to yours:

 

Maybe the reason a lot of trades in my league don't work is because people like to tell others to Fock off if they feel the trade is lopsided.

 

That definitely discourages trading and is always counterproductive. Resist the temptation, you'll come out ahead in the long run. Comments like "do you think I'm an idiot" may make you feel good, but won't land you in first place at the end.

BTW I think it is an advantage playing with people you don't talk to on a regular basis because 'friends' tend to trash talk and try to screw each other more - It is a male ego thing.

 

 

 

you must play in a league with a bunch of focking retards to be able to talk to them like they are focking jackasses

.

 

LOL - In my career, this is how I've talked to EVERYONE including corporate presidents. It is with respect and politeness. Trust me, it works...and they aint

retards.

 

 

 

........sooooooooooo tell me about your six trades.

 

OK here goes: After Week 1: 9/17 Traded Westbrook and Big Ben (had just picked him up off waivers) for Brady and Holt. I had depth at RB, weakness at WR; he had the opposite problem. I also wanted Brady as backup to my Bulger. I didn't trust Ben after 1 good game.

 

After WK 2 9/22 Traded S.Davis, F.Jackson(two more WW pick-ups), and McCareins for Bruce, Gonzalez and Q.Griffin. By that time Davis had 2 strong games in a row. I traded an A and tow C's (or less) for two B's and an F (Griffin was not even under playing in the NFL). I still had RB strength and he was desperate for a qualit RB to make his team competitive. I thought this was my most lopsided trade - then Bruce gets his turf toe and Gonzo sucks out - goes to show that nobody can predict for certain who will come out 'ahead'.

 

9/23 Traded Holt for Jordan. He proposed the trade to me and I accepted it immediately - no discussion, just hit accept. Having just acquired Bruce, I was feeling better about WR. All things being equal, I'll take an A RB over an A WR any day. Both are now top 5 at their positions.

 

9/25 Traded Evans for Ricky Williams. Evans was sucking out due to the Buff QB situation, and there was no downside risk but lots of upside if Ricky pans out. HE needed an extra WR.

 

10/20 Traded J.Smith, A.Green and Pass (another ww pickup who blew up the week I picked him up) for Owens, Rhodes, and Putzier. Traded an A-, a B, and a C for an A+ and two D's (throwaways).

 

10/21 Traded Stallworth and Brady for Brunell and Housh. Bulger was hurt and Brady on a bye - I had no QB. He had no WR if Housh doesn't play, and Stallworth had just been upgraded to Play. This trade allowed both parties to complete their roster.

 

It doesn't matter who you or I think 'came out ahead'. Both parties 'won' every trade because they believed the trade helped their team.

 

My roster as drafted (14 team league): QB Bulger, Losman, K Grahan, D Minny; RB McAllister, Green, Westbrook, Toefield, Moats; WR J.Smith, Stallworth, Evans, McCareins, Rogers, Gabriel.

 

My roster today: QB Bulger, Brunnell, K Graham, D Cleveland; RB Jordan, Moore (early ww pickup), Ricky, C. Taylor (another ww pick); Receivers: Owens, Housh, Burleson (ww), Bruce, Engram (ww) Gonzo, and Troupe.

 

To me, the key to be successful in trading for what you want is targetting those people who are 1-5, 0-6 etc and giving them 2 or 3 very solid players for a stud that you want. For eg - Hasselback + Glenn for TO. The key is that you should have the depth. And the key is you should be ready to go pick up a Jeff Garcia to rebuild your depth if you traded it away.

 

You figured out my system!!!

[waterwolves 0]

Some responses to yours:

 

Maybe the reason a lot of trades in my league don't work is because people like to tell others to Fock off if they feel the trade is lopsided.

 

That definitely discourages trading and is always counterproductive. Resist the temptation, you'll come out ahead in the long run. Comments like "do you think I'm an idiot" may make you feel good, but won't land you in first place at the end.

BTW I think it is an advantage playing with people you don't talk to on a regular basis because 'friends' tend to trash talk and try to screw each other more - It is a male ego thing.

 

 

 

you must play in a league with a bunch of focking retards to be able to talk to them like they are focking jackasses

.

 

LOL - In my career, this is how I've talked to EVERYONE including corporate presidents. It is with respect and politeness. Trust me, it works...and they aint

retards.

 

 

 

........sooooooooooo tell me about your six trades.

 

OK here goes: After Week 1: 9/17 Traded Westbrook and Big Ben (had just picked him up off waivers) for Brady and Holt. I had depth at RB, weakness at WR; he had the opposite problem. I also wanted Brady as backup to my Bulger. I didn't trust Ben after 1 good game.

 

After WK 2 9/22 Traded S.Davis, F.Jackson(two more WW pick-ups), and McCareins for Bruce, Gonzalez and Q.Griffin. By that time Davis had 2 strong games in a row. I traded an A and tow C's (or less) for two B's and an F (Griffin was not even under playing in the NFL). I still had RB strength and he was desperate for a qualit RB to make his team competitive. I thought this was my most lopsided trade - then Bruce gets his turf toe and Gonzo sucks out - goes to show that nobody can predict for certain who will come out 'ahead'.

 

9/23 Traded Holt for Jordan. He proposed the trade to me and I accepted it immediately - no discussion, just hit accept. Having just acquired Bruce, I was feeling better about WR. All things being equal, I'll take an A RB over an A WR any day. Both are now top 5 at their positions.

 

9/25 Traded Evans for Ricky Williams. Evans was sucking out due to the Buff QB situation, and there was no downside risk but lots of upside if Ricky pans out. HE needed an extra WR.

 

10/20 Traded J.Smith, A.Green and Pass (another ww pickup who blew up the week I picked him up) for Owens, Rhodes, and Putzier. Traded an A-, a B, and a C for an A+ and two D's (throwaways).

 

10/21 Traded Stallworth and Brady for Brunell and Housh. Bulger was hurt and Brady on a bye - I had no QB. He had no WR if Housh doesn't play, and Stallworth had just been upgraded to Play. This trade allowed both parties to complete their roster.

 

It doesn't matter who you or I think 'came out ahead'. Both parties 'won' every trade because they believed the trade helped their team.

 

My roster as drafted (14 team league): QB Bulger, Losman, K Grahan, D Minny; RB McAllister, Green, Westbrook, Toefield, Moats; WR J.Smith, Stallworth, Evans, McCareins, Rogers, Gabriel.

 

My roster today: QB Bulger, Brunnell, K Graham, D Cleveland; RB Jordan, Moore (early ww pickup), Ricky, C. Taylor (another ww pick); Receivers: Owens, Housh, Burleson (ww), Bruce, Engram (ww) Gonzo, and Troupe.

 

To me, the key to be successful in trading for what you want is targetting those people who are 1-5, 0-6 etc and giving them 2 or 3 very solid players for a stud that you want. For eg - Hasselback + Glenn for TO. The key is that you should have the depth. And the key is you should be ready to go pick up a Jeff Garcia to rebuild your depth if you traded it away.

 

You figured out my system!!!

You know why you have been able to do so many trades? Because you got robbed on half of them.

 

You gave up Westy and BB for Holt and Brady. You lose. IMO

 

You gave up S. davis for basically Gonzo. You lose again! IMO

 

You trade evans for Ricky. Who cares that is like me trading nobody for nobody

 

You trade smith, green and pass for Owens basically. I will give you that one even though I have a hard time thinking that guy cam away from that trade feeling real good. You must have greased him up real good on that one. lol

 

You traded brady and stallworth for Brunell and house which I don't get unless you really like Brunell but OK who cares.

 

I am not trying to dog you bro but you lost on three of those trades easy and won one of them (and that is if A. Green is really done or you lost on that one too) and two of them are a wash, which if it helpes both teams I understand but how can trading a QB and a WR for another QB and a WR help both teams?

 

I agree with you on the fact that the person you are trading with should feel happy when he or she leaves. But you are not giving me anything that will help me trade more cause I wouldn't have done any of those trades from your side with your roster.

[Nate Burleson's Burly Son 0]

I joined a new (for me) money league this year consisting of me, eleven total strangers, a very remote acquaintance, and my son. They all live in the same metro area and are friends. I live 1000 miles away. Only I and one other guy didn't attend a draft party but instead drafted by phone. In prior years, I have been told there has been only a couple trades each year. This year there's already been 8 league trades so far and I have been in 6 of them. Since I don't know and don't talk talk to any of them (excluding my son - we of course talk on the phone), all trade discussion is brief and through league e-mail. I've found that many principles I've learned from a career as a very successful sales professional and negotiator can be directly applied to fantasy football trading situations.

 

Through this site, I've observed from some posters a general frustration about lack of trading in their league, and seen many discussions about 'fair trades' and the ethics of trading. (For one of the more interesting discussions, topic search for 'do i have a right to be pissed'.) Here are some do's and don'ts if you want to be a very successful trader.

 

Treat him as your trading partner and not your advisary.

 

ANALYZE his team as if it were your own, and figure out a solution to HIS problem in a way that will also benefit you. This is the ONLY BASIS for successful trading.

You can't trade with someone who doesn't feel they have a roster problem. Fortunately very few managers are ever totally satisfied with their roster.

 

Propose a few trades each week based on the above analysis - your abililty to see his team through his eyes will improve only through practice. I try to average 2 new trade proposals a week. If you are GREAT, you will only close about 20%.

 

You must be persistent if you want to make trades. This does not mean throwing out the same exact trade each week. (I finally landed TO after trying 3 different combinations of players.) Encourage counterproposals without 'lowballing' your initial offer.

 

All trades and all solutions MUST BE WIN-WIN - that doesn't mean that they have to be absolutely balanced. IT ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT MATTER WHO 'CAME OUT AHEAD' FROM THE TRADE - AS LONG AS YOU BOTH BENEFIT SOME. Corellary: NEVER try to 'screw' somebody - It will ALWAYS backfire - at least to the point where nobody will trade with you anymore.

 

Always complete trades on a timely basis, and request the same from your trading partner - Never let a trade offer 'hang' more than a few hours. Get trades done by midweek so as not to cause problems with weekly lineup deadlines.

 

"Buy low" is over-rated. It is human nature to hang on too long to an underperformer who cost a high draft choice. It is actually hard to get him to trade his Culpepper, Gonzalez or Mi. Clayton. Forget about it - try addressing his NEEDS instead (ie, no depth at RB's where you may be stacked).

He'll drop his underperformers only when he is ready and not before.

 

"Sell high" is much easier. I WW picked up Frisman Jackson after wk #1 and trade-bundled him for value after week 2. And did the same thing with P.Pass last week. Remember most people chase stocks when the market is hot if they see a stock 'starting to take off'.

 

Never disparage a trade proposal NO MATTER HOW INSULTED you feel. And always make a counter offer. Two weeks ago, a guy offered me his Cincy D for M.Moore. My note with the trade decline was: I'd really like to do a deal, but this seems a little one sided to me. But I think my Moore for your Galloway is a fair trade for both of us. Get back to me if you're interested in this or anything else that is might help both of us".

 

Always trade a B (solid starter) for a B, or 2 or 3 B's for an A (stud). Don't even try to trade a B for an A , or a C (bye week filler) for his B. THEY won't take you seriously if you propose these kind of trades. BTW, it is far easier to trade 2 or 3 B's for an A with a losing team that lacks depth than getting a winning team to part with his stud.

 

Don't try to unload your injured players, and NEVER do it without full disclosure. In some cases you can trade FOR injured players if they are FOR SURE getting active soon, but don't trade for players with knee, high ankle, groin or hamstring pulls. You're just buying a waste of roster space.

 

When you complete a trade, send a note: "I really enjoyed trading with you and I hope Green and Jimmy Smith have great seasons. If you have any other trade ideas that might benefit both of us, I'd sure like to hear about them."

 

ALWAYS leave your trading partner feeling great about the trade he just made. I like to ask him to enter the trade proposal for me to accept. It gives him more 'ownership', especially if I instigated the trade proposal.

 

When you can't do a deal, send a note: "I'm sorry we couldn't make this one work, please keep me in mind if you ever have any other trade ideas that might benefit both of us.

 

 

If you follow these ideas, you will find people proposing trades to you who never would have traded before. I know this was long, and yet there are many other ideas i left out. If you can think of any, please add to the thread. Happy trading.

Thank You notes after trades? Who knew Martha Stewart posted here?

[ROBOKOP 0]

Why do we have to quote a long message, instead of a simple reply. ie A page of text to say you are a cool guy. Come on Bradford learn the simple rules of posting.

[icecheeze 0]

When you complete a trade, send a note: "I really enjoyed trading with you and I hope Green and Jimmy Smith have great seasons.  If you have any other trade ideas that might benefit both of us, I'd sure like to hear about them."

this may be the gayest suggestion i have ever seen on this site, if i sent out a "super salesman" letter like this to the dudes in my league i would be laughed off the planet...sounds more like something you should try in a fantasy soccer league...

 

my suggestion, leave professional selling 101 at the office...but hey, if it works for you, great...

[madd futher mucker 36]

LMAO - Hey, it's not like I send out a scented card - just a quick follow-up email - these guys live far away and don't know me so it works for me. But if it was a local league of office or drinking buddies, I admit the guys just might start to worry about your sexual orientation.

 

But it doesn't hurt to tell the guy "I'd like to do another deal with you if we can come up with another good one".

[FantasyKing 4]

Good post overall - but the fact that you got any value for Frisman Jackson after week 1 makes me question your league - that guy has sat on waivers in both of my leagues all year long - where he should stay.

[FantasyKing 4]

OR...here's a wild idea...crazy even...how about drafting a good team and seeing how they do over the year instead of overhauling your entire roster?

[Apex Predator 0]

The post was decent overall. I don't feel that I have learn anything new from it. Bottom line is: No matter how much you juice up the other guy if the offer sucks, it sucks. If it's good, then it would go through. With that said, there is really no point to send Thank you E-mails and sales oriented E-mails with your offers. Let your offer speak for itself.

 

I will have to be honest though - Many of the trades you've listed seem to favor towards the person you're trading with.