I know that there are frequent complaints about trade approvals, so I wanted to report one positive story.
My B8 team submitted a deal with a managerless team, sending Grieve to a rebuilding DH-team for Bordick, plus an exchange of lower FA picks. Bordick was the #3 SS on the team. While Grieve's been a disappointment, he's younger and **probably** has a better future than Bordick, especially with the chance to start in Milwaukee. I thought of this as a small deal that filled a need for me and gave a rebuilding team a possible player for the future.
Mike rejected the deal, saying that he thought the UNM could get more for Bordick.
I countered that "could get more" and "would get more" were 2 different things, but it forced me to look at the trade more from the other team's perspective (more than it could do since it was unmanaged!).
I also noticed that this team had both Castilla and Mueller at 3rd, and that another team was offering Floyd to get a 3B.
After 3 or 4 e-mails with both the 3rd team and Mike acting on behalf of the UNM, I arranged a 3-team deal that netted the 3rd team Mueller, me Floyd and Bordick, and stocked the UNM team with a full-time OF (they lacked), a couple decent prospects, and better draft choices. Most importantly, they should be much more attractive to new owners.
To be sure, I paid much more than I originally intended to pay, but that happens in trading. I was very appreciative of not only Mike's patience on the deal, but his stubbornness, trying to get the best possible deal for this team.