Written by Michael Muschiano
August 3, 2008

In Major League Baseball, there are winter meetings. In fantasy baseball, there should be summer meetings.

The idea behind the winter meetings in the MLB is to facilitate negotiations between teams, represented by general managers, and players, represented by their agents. The concept behind the summer meetings is pretty simple: the same principle as the MLB’s winter meetings, just minus the middleman. No Scott Boras. No Ned Colletti. Just managers negotiating directly with the other managers.

Why have a summer meeting?

Holding a summer meeting can be more than beneficial for your league in a variety of ways. Let’s start with the most obvious.

Trade Talk

One of the hardest things to do when ironing out a trade in fantasy baseball is getting the pieces right. Sometimes it can take four, five, or even six counter offers to reach a deal. Meeting in person can help eliminate the pieces that might be bogging the trade down, and also clarify each manager’s needs.

In addition, with the trading deadline looming in most leagues, face-to-face discussions get things done much quicker and smoother.

Staleness

Unfortunately, fantasy baseball can become rather stale at times. That is, if league managers let it get that way. Chatter in the message boards and smack talk can provide some good activity. Trade proposals and accepted trades can also help keep things from falling into a deep bore.

However, a meeting of all league managers blows all of that out of the water. Simply put, a meeting does all of those things. There will be intent discussions, the usual smack talk in a room full of testosterone and growing egos, and lastly, a lot of new trades and deals.

League Modifications

Each year at my league’s annual Summer Meeting, a rule or setting seems to be altered. Whether it be changing the trading deadline date or changing the number of waiver moves, adjustments are always made. Also, new things can be added to make your league more interesting in the future. For example, last year my league implemented a “Minor League Draft”. It was a nice addition, and something we accomplished over a meeting.

The Essentials

Here is a brief list of items you should bring with you to your Summer Meetings.

Rosters

Whether it be scribbled on a piece of lined paper or neatly organized on your brand new laptop, having your roster handy is imperative. It makes putting together a trade that much easier. Also, it could help you throw in an extra expendable piece to make a deal work.

League Settings

In order to make adjustments to the league settings, it’s best to have a copy of the ones in place lying around. This might be the responsibility of the commissioner, but it wouldn’t hurt for most of the league members to have their own copy. Also, bring suggestions. Even if an adjustment is not made, it is still beneficial to bring some food for thought for the league’s future.

Refreshing Adult Beverages

Nothing greases the wheels on a potential trade like an ice cold, refreshing malt beverage.

Jimmy: “I’m telling Dan Uggla is going to continue this pace and win the MVP”
Johnnie: “Really?!? Who do you want for him?”
Jimmy: “Give me Chase Utley so I have a replacement second baseman”
Johnnie: “Deal”

Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration. BUT, I’ve seen some questionable trades get accepted while under the influence of alcohol, I kid you not. Besides that, it adds to the whole meaning and purpose of the meeting: to get together and have some fun.

I have a Summer Meeting scheduled for this weekend prior to our league’s trade deadline. If feasible, I suggest the rest of you do the same.

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