Having a mix of trainees and old guys has been satisfactory for me.
I like to have trainees with star or all-star potential as I can reach their cap, or close to their cap (according to buzzermanager), with a level 5 trainer, while they're still young. I used to keep six trainees, but I realized four is much more manageable from season to season. Not only will I have fewer guys with salary spikes, but I lose less training opportunity when switching from two position training to one position. I sell trainees I don't intend to use when they cost too much. I put them up for 10x the higher of either their estimated salary or current salary. Typically underpriced, but as a result more attractive to bidders and therefore, going for their market value.
As far as the old guys, I try to get solid talent for a really low price. Since I knew I wasn't going to win anytime soon, I just tried to stay out of relegation while maximizing my training, which is hard when your 18 year olds have around 50 TSP to start off. Even though the older players have stat drops, their salaries will decrease at the start of every season, keeping in line with or even improving their stat cost. You can even consider Career Extension as your trainer's bonus to improve their value even further, since the stat drops will be less frequent. Lastly and most importantly, I try to flip these old guys for a profit down the road. I sell them for the lower of 10x their estimated salary or current salary (according to buzzer manager). Even though it's above market value, the starting bid is based on their statistical value. I still got one old geezer I'm trying to flip. After that I'll start doing it all over again.
The reason I multiply the estimated/salaries by 10 when selling players is because that's the price players from inactive teams go for as a Free Agent. There are already players going for that type of money so there's no reason mine shouldn't either. In my opinion, it's better for players to sell based on these starting bids, than the ridiculous ones on the transfer list. (We all know what I'm talking about) Prices being based on a player's statistical value according to the Free Agent system is healthy for balancing the game's economy. Sure, if 90% of players did this. The rich would get richer in a sense, by buying cheap young players, but over time it would work itself out due to income being limited by maximum arena capacity, maximum seat prices, TV revenue and merchandising. Even the rich have a limit to how super their team can be.
I also use USA players only to increase merchandise money ever so slightly. (according to forum guide)
I managed to bank $3 million, through this process of flipping older players and selling trainees. Although I lost $400k, when I added Daniel Blackman and sold him a week later when I was eliminated from the playoffs. It was worth the gamble though considering in the first round I was even until the 4th quarter. Low stamina, incorrect game prep predictions, and possibly changing the offense I used all season long might've been a huge factor. It was also fun to try to shake things up. Who knows what happens if that 4th quarter goes my way. All of a sudden I would've been a serious contender.
The one major issue with my overall approach to this game is that I keep a small roster. So injuries and foul trouble can throw me for a loop every once in a while. I've been fortunate though.
Last edited by Matt D at 01/04/2018 07:06:39