Is it better to release a player, try to trade them, or play their contracts out?

[Adam22]

1. Older players who wont get any better, and young players who are not good enough, what do you do with them? I get a long of young players who look like they wont turn into much. I could get rid of a few of them and not have to worry about paying their salaries for the next three years, but is it better to just keep them?

1a. Also, if you release a player, do you have to pay his entire contract out (e.g. 5 seasons x 3 points =15 points) or do you just have to pay one season out?

2. Why cant you re-negotiate a players contract before it runs out? If I see a player that is going to be good, but know I cant afford him when he gets to his prime, I would like to extend his contract a bit while i can still afford it, but it does not seem to be an option in the game. Any reason why?

3. On an unrelated note, I was wondering why we could not see these following statistics? Are they only present in the non-online game? Is there any reason they are not in the online game?


"Performance
Mogul Points = The team's total Mogul Points. If you have not yet completed a season, it will be zero.
Series Wins = The number of World Championship wins you have.
Pennants = The number of league championship wins you have.
Playoffs = The number of times you've reached the playoffs.
W-L = Average won-loss record in the regular season.
Franchise

Loyalty = This number represents your fan loyalty in relation to other teams. It is most significantly affected by your team's on field performance in the last season.
Farm = A letter grade rating the current stats of your Farm System.
Scouting = A letter grade rating the current stats of your Scouting.
Medical = A letter grade rating the current stats of your Medical.
Franchise = The market value of the franchise (this does not include the team's operating cash). This figure is not used in the game.
Liquidity = Cash divided by Franchise Value. This figure is not used in the game.
Revenue

Attendance = The team's average home attendance for this season (in tickets sold).
Ticket Price = Your current average ticket price in relation to other teams. Use the Budget Menu to change this value for your team.
Ticket Sales = Points earned from ticket sales in the current season.
Broadcast = Points earned from broadcast revenue in the current season.
Ticket Sales = Points earned from ticket sales in the current season.
Revenue = The total revenue in the current season for each team.
Roster

Average Age = The average age of a team's roster players.
Avg. Contract = The length of the average contract (in years) for each team.
Lineup = A letter grade rating the offensive ability of the team's starting lineup.
Defense = A letter grade rating the defensive ability of the team's lineup and bench.
Rotation = A letter grade rating the team's starting rotation.
Bullpen = A letter grade rating the team's bullpen.
Minors

Average Age = The average age of a team's minor league players.
Depth = A letter grade rating the overall depth of the team's AAA roster players.
Offense = A letter grade rating the offensive ability of the team's AAA players.
Defense = A letter grade rating the defensive ability of the team's AAA players.
Starters = A letter grade rating the team's AAA starting pitchers.
Bullpen = A letter grade rating the team's AAA relief pitchers."


Thanks again for all your help.

[kaill]

If you release a player, you pay half of the remaining value of his contract. So if he has 6 years at 1 pt per, then you pay 6 times 1 (6) divided by 2 (3).
If he's got 5 years at 8 pts per, you pay 20 (but save 20).

Generally, if a prospect is obviously never going to be good enough, it's better to release him - you can release newly drafted prospects for free.
Veterans, I always keep unless I can find a replacement MUCH cheaper.

[Adam22]

What is the time limit on releasing new players for free?

[takaplan]

Originally posted by Adam22
What is the time limit on releasing new players for free? As long as they have never played in the majors, I believe.

[kaill]

no, it's until their first contract runs out. Once you resign them, even if it's still for 1 pt a year, they cost money to buy out.

[takaplan]

Ok:
You can release a prospect for free if:
1. They never played in the majors
2. Their first contract has not run out yet.

Thanks for pointing that out, kaill...

[Enrique Romo]

how about like when you're just getting started here............you guys seem really into this stuff...........how do I make this game more fun?