The Art of Trading

It's that time of year again. The time to gauge your team's talent and fill the necessary holes that you see after the first few weeks. While I recommend a little longer grace period in evaluating your team's strengths and weaknesses (probably a month), it is never too early to test the waters as you'll be surprised what you might find. So here are some tips and realizations on being an effective trader:

1. Trading ain't easy

Creating a trade that benefits two teams is extremely difficult. It takes a considerable amount of time and effort to make a deal go through. It also takes a certain degree of compromise and flexibility.

2. Communication, Communication, Communication

Usually that first offer is not the offer that gets accepted. It helps to let the other owners know what you need and what you are willing to give up. I recommend either writing something on the message board or offering a trade to another owner that identifies the players that you would like. Knowing the wants and needs of the other owner drastically increases the possibility and lessens the time of a deal getting done.

3. Know your trading partners

The tendencies of your trading partners is critical to sucess. For instance, Sean aka Harlem Boys and I have made four trades over the past two years. This is for the simple reason that we know what the other will and will not do. For one, I know Sean will be willing to take high risk/high reward guys in trades. Knowing this I know I need to offer him high ceiling players like Jonny Gomes instead of steady contributors like Brian Giles. Also, play off baseball fan allegiences. If someone is a Red Sox fan, you might want to offer him Coco Crisp in a trade or Curt Shilling. This comes in useful, as well.

Another aspect of this, is knowing who you would never be able to trade with. I will never trade with Curtis. From his outlook, if he doesn't get the obvious best of the trade, he won't make it. He lacks flexibility in his thought process that just doesn't mesh with the way I make trades. Since I know this I don't waste time trying to make trades with him.

4. It takes value to get value

There is no way you can get a good player without giving up one in return. I think the biggest stigma that gets in the way of managers making trades is attachments to players. However, to make your team better you'll have to give up players that you truly like and that's the nature of the game.

5. Every offer deserves a counter offer

No matter how bad the offer is, a counter offer is the best response. Some of the best trades come from some of the worst beginnings. Don't get mad at a bad offer, just try to improve it.

6. Make friends with your IM

AIM is by far the best tool to talk trades. You might say that the phone is better but I disagree. AIM allows you to think and measure your responses to fellow GMs and provides for the best forum to structure a trade.

I hope this helps you in your quest for the perfect trade. And any great trade you make after you read this, feel free to give me credit.

Happy trading and good luck.