Let me tell you guys a little something. I worked in real estate for a decade. Ten years. And it was the same at every level. Everyone wants something from you. And the more they get from you without having to give you something, the better off they are. And vice versa. Everyone knows it; that’s the game. But it doesn’t always have to be like that.

The same goes for this game we play. If your league is any good, you’re going to get trade offers. If you aren’t getting or sending trades, your league needs to wake up. We’ve all made an investment here, whether that’s time or money or both. And winning is our business. You can trade up when you have leverage or you can trade down when you are on tilt but in the end it’s a way to shift the tables in your favor. You have to use it.

Just like in real estate, there are going to be people that want what you have. Beware of unsolicited offers. If you have the top running back and somebody asks what it takes to get him, they know what you have and they want it for cheap. Same goes for the other side when the chips are down. Your quarterback gets hurt and someone comes to you with their backup QB and they’re “doing you a favor?” That’s not a favor. That’s ransom.

The deals you want to make are mutually beneficial. You just took a job down in Florida and you have a condo lined up. You can sell your house in New England to the young couple AND throw in the snowblower because you don’t need it. You get the cash, they get the home. These are the deals you want to look for. Let’s say you have two top tight ends. Your buddy has four running backs, but his tight end just hit season ending IR. Done deal. You guys aren’t enemies here; you’re best friends. Obviously, you always need to look out for number one but keep in mind what THEY want. The best business ends with a handshake and a smile. And more business.