One of the in-season fantasy tasks that many commissioners dread is dealing with free agency. What system is fair for everyone in the league? What system causes the commissioner to lose the most sleep and/or hair, if he has any? It is a constant struggle trying to balance simplicity with fairness. This article deals with a few options that commissioners may employ for dealing with free agent transactions, and some of the cons of using each system.

First Come/First Served

PROS: Easy to manage, League hosting sites easily accomodate

CONS: Not always accomodating, Commish has huge advantage in manually run leagues

STRATEGY: Little to none - Have nothing to do, but be the first online or calling your commish when a player's value goes through the roof.

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Worse Team, First Choice

PROS: Easy to manage, Fair system

CONS: Potential advantage/disadvantage for early season luck/bad luck, Potential slim pickings for top teams

STRATEGY: Little to none - Acquire a great team that Free Agency won't be needed, or have a borderline team, that 1 great Free Agent could turn the team around

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The Waiver Period

PROS: Fair system, Invokes some skill/strategy

CONS: Complex, More work for the Commish

STRATEGY: Some - Deciding whether moving up the Waiver priority option for a potentially great pick up is better a good player now.

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Blind Auction

PROS: Invokes skill/strategy, 100% Fair

CONS: Ton of work for the Commish

STRATEGY: Tons - Just like a Auction draft, except it occurs every week.

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