The Art of the Trade: Dynasty Style

Who are you in the league?

Are you the free wheeling trader?

Are you the guy who is always looking to win the trade?

Maybe you are the guy who worries that another owner is going to get over on you?

Are you the guy that sits on trades forever hoping that they expire or get taken back?

Are you the owner that sends out a ridiculous offer to gauge interest?

Or maybe you just hit reject without giving a reason why?

Those are all great ways to not make that many trades in a dynasty league and/or any other kind of league. The thing that is unique about dynasty leagues is that the owners hopefully are constants, simply meaning you will have the same owners year after year and relationships count. No, I am not asking you to watch the Hallmark Channel and share your life’s ups and downs.

Communication is a huge key to trading.

For example, I was talking with another owner about the rookie draft we were in. He was wanting to get into the 3^rd round and had unsuccessfully tried to acquire the 3.04 for Wes Welker. I had no idea that Welker was on the market. I had the 3.06 and thought Welker could help my team. I offered him Earl Bennett, 3.06, and my 2011 3^rd rounder. He accepted my offer and some might feel I paid too much. Not me as I did it with a purpose in mind. I gave him more value than what he was expecting. I am not sure if Bennett is the #4 or #5 WR in Chicago and he selected TE Ed Dickson. My team is pretty good and I think my 2011 3^rd rounder will be in the 3.10-3.14 range, so I was happy to give up what I did for Welker.

Truth be told he thinks he won the trade with me and I gave him more than what he was asking. That owner talks to me about trades every week. Will it help me out in the long run…maybe, but I know I’m the first guy he will talk trades. It is also ok to give a fair offer with someone, the first time. Yes you may get a great deal from someone by trying to win the trade, but will they trade with you again? I ended up trading for Steven Jackson and gave up 1.04, 1.06, and Curtis Martin before the 2005 rookie draft. Needless to say that owner never traded with me again. In fact I don’t even bother to send him trade offers as he is still burnt 5+ years later. Legitimate offers also let the owner know you aren’t playing around, you want to get a deal done.

Another way to get people to trade with you is to find teams that you can help.

When I am doing well in a league and need to improve a spot, I am willing to trade a young player for a proven player to make sure I go far in the playoffs.

When I am trying to rebuild a dynasty team, I try finding teams that are doing very well and that have a lot of young players they aren’t using in their lineups. I trade my older guys and get youth and draft picks.

Once I have a solid team, I am willing to trade those draft picks for solid younger players. Rookies are as great as a shiny new quarter, but they spend the same as an old quarter.

In another 14 team dynasty league I thought I had hit a plateau. I decided to make a move. I traded Roddy White for Felix Jones and 1.04 rookie pick. Before I made that trade I also talked to the Choice owner to make sure I could trade for him. Once I received Jones and the 1.04, I traded the 1.04 for TJ Housh, T Choice, and 1.11. This was before the sports hernia situation. I then traded the 1.11 for Robert Meachem. So I took Roddy White and turned him into Felix Jones, T Choice, TJ Housh, and R Meachem. I helped out each team and they helped me out. If one of their teams is in trouble, I can help them with spare parts and they would do likewise for my team. These are money leagues.

Bottom line, relationships count when you are looking for a trade partner.

Listening to how the other owner values their players will give you an idea on how to trade with them and how to make them feel like they won the trade. Owners that feel like they win the trade will always want to come back to trade again.

Good luck.

Andy Miley can be found on Twitter – @RealAnakin