If you were a free agent, what would you choose?

[Anthony K.]

Family
Team Allegiance
Loyalty
Salary

I told my dad growing up, that if I EVER made it to the big leagues, I wouldn't care how much I got paid as long as I got to PLAY.

Because all it is is a GAME. A game I LOVE to PLAY. Why should I take the $25 million a year offer from the Yankees if I am having fun and happy making $10 million a year playing for the Astros or (insert team here).

I have always believed that players were GROSSLY overpaid (remember the Presidents base "salary" is only $200k, last I checked) and a lot are absurdly greedy.

Give me $5 mil a year, regardless of my superstar status and you would have one happy hombre.

 

[nborton]

1. Winning
2. Quality of life factors. (Weather, city, etc.) For me I'm not the biggest fan of huge, huge cities after living in one for a while.
3. Money
4. Loyalty

The family thing isn't really an issue to me. Most of the season it's not like you would be around enough even if you did live in the same city as extended family (I'm assuming a wife lives where you play). Most of the real family time would be spent in the offseason, where it wouldn't matter where you lived. Of course that could all change depending on family situations like kids schools and whatnot. But as of now, with no kids that wouldn't be a factor in my decision.

If teams showed loyalty at all it would be higher. But basically they don't.

Your hypothetical was based off of a relatively short period on the team you came up with. If I was with a team for 10+ years and I got along well there I'd probably stay if the offers were close. Unless my team was dreadfully terrible and showed no sign of wanting to win. Then I'd probably go to whoever I thought had the best shot at winning since my career wouldn't have many years left.

 

[SwarzakGuy40]

1- Best chance to win WS
2- Loyalty to team
3- Money
4- Distance to home

I losing.. even if its a game of ping pong in my garage against my brother or something.. i it.. winning is a priority.