LogFAQs > #924334962

I think if we really want to highlight a trade type that is potentally problematic then it's the sign and trade (and I've done these plenty myself). I'm really on the fence about whether they should be allowed or at the very least limited

They don't happen in real life and they reduce the talent that hits free agency. It feels like high end talent hits free agency one of three ways.

1. A user idles and the randomizer doesn't favor them
2. A user doesn't understand retirement ages / the rate a player will likely decline and so lets a high rated 'old' player walk when realistically they have another 2-4 years left.
3. The AI does something odd and lets someone walk

I think if people couldn't sign and trade then they would have to make tougher decisions when resigning players and cap management. People would likely have to let players walk to stay under cap and so theoretically we should see more talent available in free agency. Whereas right now there's no point letting a good player walk as you can probably find a trade partner and even if you have give a discounted deal you're getting something back for them.

On the other hand, I am not certain we wouldn't just be helping the AI get better if we did away with sign and trades. Usually a sign and trade means at least the talent stays with a user team whereas if they hit free agency, the userbase does not have a good track record of targeting the right players and preventing the AI getting better.

Sidenote - Sign and trades with AI teams absolutely shouldn't be allowed (I'm not sure this has actually happened in the first place)