How does a bailing team value his group of 2007 players relative to what he is going to try to get - better ones for 2008. From the moment the team announces its intentions to play for 2008, his players are knocked down in value by those teams he is hoping to deal with.
In order to get the best value, a bailing team needs to remember that no matter how much another team says your out-of-time players are worthless in 2008, those same players still have value in 2007. Does this mean I believe the bailing team is in a position to dictate price? No, but what it does mean is the bailing team needn't accept the types of players Ive previously mentioned - pending free agents, current flashes in the pan and older prospects.
The bailing team needs to also remember that aggressive owners create a sense of urgency, and the bailing team needs to maintain a perspective that accounts for that. No matter how much the other team tries to pressure a bailing team into accepting his. $10 on the $1.00 offer, the bailing team will always have someone else to deal with.
To determine if the trades is a good bail offer for both parties, set-up a simple matrix that examines the value of the players involved for the current season and that of the next season.
| Team | Current (Y/N | Next (Y/N) |
|---|---|---|
| Bail | No | Yes |
| In It | Yes | No |
If your bail offer fits this matrix, then you are on your way to a mutually beneficial deal. If your bail offer looks like it will be a winner for your team in the current season and in the future ones, then it is likely to lead nowhere. The contending team has no incentive to lose the trade this year and the following ones.