If you have a franchise-tagged player entering the final year of his franchise contract in 1997, you may request an extension number and extend him now rather than waiting for the contract to expire. This option applies only to players in the last year of their franchise deal and will free up your franchise tag to use on another player if you choose. An example of this is Floyd Youmans of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who is entering the final year of his franchise contract in 1997.

If you choose to request the extension number, you must extend the player—even if it’s only for one year. You cannot view the extension number and then decide to keep the $250,000 franchise rate instead. Once you see the number, an extension is required.

You may choose to have the extension begin next season or roll it into the current contract—whichever you prefer. The same rules that apply to standard extensions will apply here as well.

Please request the extension number in your team channel.