That can be gamed, too. It's never going to be a perfect system. The only way I can see this system actually work is if there is a commissioner who doesn't play the game but is responsible for all final five bids. And everyone has to PM this commissioner their bids on all players. Essentially, you can bid publicly in the forum until the final 5, then you have to PM this commissioner within the final 5 and whoever PMs the highest bid gets the player. Or you just let every team involved in the final 5 bidding to get a chance at a bid-off.