Trading in Redraft Leagues

For those of who have participated in Keeper Leagues and Dynasty Leagues, you will know that adding future draft picks can frequently be the difference maker in getting a deal done for the player you target. In Redraft, with the league resetting after the conclusion of each season, the luxury of adding a future draft picks is not an option.

This doesn’t mean that trading in Redraft Leagues will not happen, it just means you need to show value to your fellow league mates in different ways. Trading is an important component of Fantasy Football, in conjunction with drafting and managing your league’s waiver wire.

The key to any negotiation is creating dialogue. If you league has a chat room, use it, and use it often. The stronger the relationship you can build with your league mates the better. This is especially true if you don’t already know the other members of your league. Ask anyone who receives the cold call sales approach how effective it is.

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You don’t need to be an hostage negotiator to pull off a trade. The most successful traders build relationships and are open minded when discussing the swap of assets. You also must know how to quantify true value. The one thing I can guarantee, regardless of league or format, is we all tend to value the assets on our rosters higher than they should be.

With that being understood, you need to present value to receive value. Building a reputation as the guy that pulls one over on your league-mates will kill your ability to make future deals, as no one will want to trade with you.

Trading in Redraft Leagues
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 30: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants dives across the goal-line for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on December 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) Trading in Redraft Leagues.

When you start out looking for a deal, target teams not players. What I mean here is don’t set out to trade for Saquon Barkley; start the search for teams within your league with an abundance of running backs. If Saquon happens to be on a RB rich team, then you could be in business.

The real key here when seeking a RB rich team is focus on what that team needs, as there has to be two sides to this equation for it to be successful. If you are looking to move a WR and that RB heavy team needs a TE, it’s probably not the team to target. You will be much more successful selling a winter jacket to a Canadian that a Floridian. Finding a team that needs what you have, and has what you need, is the foundation to a successful Redraft deal.

You should always be looking for opportunities to be trading in Redraft Leagues, and you should always be willing to consider a trade offer from another league mate. Never disrespect an owner regardless of how ridiculous the offer you receive maybe. Acknowledge the offer, and present a counter offer. Getting the conversation started is the key! There are plenty of times I have made a deal with another owner that had nothing to do with the players in the initial offer. Had I simply declined and not countered this would never have happened.

You should seek to improve your roster, and not win a trade. Trading in Redraft Leagues should benefit both teams. Don’t be afraid to offer two players back to get one. Value is value and in the example above when you set out to acquire Saquon Barkley, you need to be prepared to part with multiple assets. If you struggle valuing assets in your league, you can use a trade calculator to give you a hand. Just know that trade calculators don’t know the true value of those assets to each owner involved, or their roster construction. Regardless it is a good jumping off point if you need one.

Trading in Redraft Leagues
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 20: Alexander Mattison #25 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) Trading in Redraft Leagues

Finally, draft your trade chips. Many Fantasy Managers seek to handcuff their top running backs, and I seek to draft my league mates handcuffs before they do. The benefits of this are twofold. A). You have an asset on your roster that is the most valuable to another owner, and B). If the stars align and a RB gets injured, then you have a start-able asset in your pocket. Never be afraid to draft a player that you plan on dealing. Drafting Alexander Mattison with the intent on trading him to the Dalvin Cook owner is a savvy draft day decision. Handcuffs are the perfect addition in 2 for 1 deals.

Never sway away from the realization that you have to give to get. There is no such thing as a free lunch in life and Fantasy Football.

Thank you for reading Trading in Redraft Leagues

For more fantasy football content, follow me on Twitter @RotoHeatSully and subscribe to the Sully’s 2 Cents Podcast as well as the RotoHeat YouTube Channel.

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