by Kevin Weber (West Michigan Retrogrades)     side note - This is good info about trading.  It may help you. It's good advice.

 

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With the trade deadline quickly approaching, it's a good time to take a closer look at the 2021 LEG trading statistics. 

 

Since the the start of the season, there have been 28 LEG trades involving 17 of the leagues 32 teams. That means just 53% of LEG managers have engaged in one of the most enjoyable aspects of an APBA league: trading. There could be a variety of reasons for this. Some managers might not be able to find the time in their personal lives to research and looks for trades. Others might be apprehensive that they'll make a bad trade that will end up weakening their team. Finally, some might not yet have mastered their negotiation skills and don't quite have their finger on what makes a good trade.

 

So far this season, 20 of the league's 28 trades have involved the top 3 LEG trading franchises: Motown, West Michigan, and Climax. These teams have been wheeling and dealing since the start of the season. Here's a look at the current 2021 LEG Trading Leaders:

 

1. Motown - 9 trades

2. West Michigan - 8 trades

3. Climax - 7 trades

4. Detroit - 5 trades

5. Hoboken - 4 trades

6. Charm City, Steel City, Virginia - 3 trades

7. Coastline, Fire Lake, Las Vegas, Southlake - 2 trades

8. Iowa, Jack Street, Middle Channel, Pigtown, Wrigleyville - 1 trade

 

What allows the top trading franchises to continually pull of deals? Here are a few possibilities:

 

1. Good traders know if they're a buyer or a seller. 

 

Early in the season, nearly everyone is a buyer. However, as the season winds down, a manager must decide if they're going for a playoff spot and a championship or if they're playing for next season.

 

2. Good traders look at their trading partner's roster and figure out their needs.

 

Nobody has a perfect team. A manager might need an improvement in his bullpen, starting rotation, or everyday players. A good trader will do the research and know what a manager needs. He'll then see if he has a way to fill those needs while also filling his own.

 

3. Good traders understand that a fair trade requires each manager to give something to get something.

 

If a manager is looking for one-sided trades, they aren't going to make very many. League members will quickly identify the managers that look to rip people off. If the trade is fair, both managers should feel good about what they've got...but also a little down about what they had to give up.

 

4. Good traders are excellent at refining the deal.

 

It's infrequent that a deal is finalized on the first offer. Most of the time, there's significant back and forth before a mutually satisfactory deal is reached. Good traders are willing to communicate and work through the process. Basically, they know how to negotiate.

 

5. Good traders enjoy the trading process.

Managers who make a lot of trades aren't afraid to trade anyone. If the right deal is on the table, they'd probably trade their mothers. It's best to check your emotions about your favorite players and MLB teams and do what is best for your LEG team.

 

So, if you've yet to make a deal in LEG, you might look to do so before the trading deadline passes. Even if it doesn't get you into the postseason, it still might improve your team's prospects for next season. More than anything, you'll experience the rush of making a deal. Whether it's a deal that's focused on this season or next season, a trade is always a move to get a team closer to a championship. To me, the trade game is the other fun competition outside the weekly series. If you haven't engaged in trade talks this season, you're missing some of the fun of an APBA league.