GWJ OOTP League Thread

pizzaddict wrote:

More curious if there was a league rule on how to handle minors. I've been wanting to try an online OOTP league as I've only played a solo fictional league, but I don't like having to micromanage the minor league systems. Typically just handle premotions/demontions to AAA.

No league rule, it's up to each manager. If you want to micro-manage your AAA, AA, A, and Rookie League affiliates, fine with me! That said, yeah, a lot of us leave it be to the AI and only intervene if for some reason our star draft pick is being left in A-ball when he oughtta be testing himself in AAA.

Also, new file!

New file! The season's SO CLOSE.

Injuries. Again. Ugh.

Neeeeew file! Spring Training is over! The season is upon us!

I i've stopped the sim on April 6th, one day before the start of the season. I will not run the first sim of the year until Wednesday night.

EVERYBODY, and I mean everybody needs to take a look at their team, decide who is staying up and who is going down. Rosters must be at 25 men by Wednesday night, or else I'll do it for you. Please remember some of the roster movement rules, you may have players who will refuse demotion to the minors, are out of option years, et cetera. If there's a guy on your roster you can't demote, but have no use for, you may end up having to just release the dude and eat his contract. So take a look at your teams, get it figured out, and contact me if you have any issues.

Roster cut downs are a Female Doggo.

Good luck everyone!

Yeah, me too. I usually go on past performance + spring training. But it does make for some hard decisions. Like:

- the pitcher who has been good in the bigs for a couple of years having a just awful spring training - is this a sign or an aberration?
- the outfielder who had a killer spring training but who only had limited, not all-that-awesome time in the bigs last year after call-ups - coming of age or just lucky?
- the aging superstar who started struggling last year but who had a superb spring training - okay that one is easy, he's playing. Hopefully he has a great year left.

And my #1 starter lands on the DL for the next 4 months . . . promising start to the season!

Knightsabre wrote:

And my #1 starter lands on the DL for the next 4 months . . . promising start to the season!

Sounds like my start last season. I'm kinda dreading opening the new file tonight, I don't want to see any more injuries!

Novocain wrote:
tboon wrote:

Roster cut downs are a Female Doggo.

True dat!

Plus I never know much to trust their Spring Training stats. I know I've been burned by that before.

Ditto on the roster cut downs. As for the Spring Training stats, I have to ask a really dumb question: where the hell can I find a good report of my team's spring training stats?! When I look on the team's home screen it doesn't display spring training stats, it only displays season stats. When I go to the spring training center in the league pull-down menu, it shows the teams, and the league leaders, but I can't figure out how to get a good one-sheet display showing a list of my team and their stats for just spring training. ARGH.

Farscry wrote:
Knightsabre wrote:

And my #1 starter lands on the DL for the next 4 months . . . promising start to the season!

Sounds like my start last season. I'm kinda dreading opening the new file tonight, I don't want to see any more injuries!

Novocain wrote:
tboon wrote:

Roster cut downs are a Female Doggo.

True dat!

Plus I never know much to trust their Spring Training stats. I know I've been burned by that before.

Ditto on the roster cut downs. As for the Spring Training stats, I have to ask a really dumb question: where the hell can I find a good report of my team's spring training stats?! When I look on the team's home screen it doesn't display spring training stats, it only displays season stats. When I go to the spring training center in the league pull-down menu, it shows the teams, and the league leaders, but I can't figure out how to get a good one-sheet display showing a list of my team and their stats for just spring training. ARGH.

I don't know if there's a central screen for that, but if you look at your "pitching" and "lineups" screens, you can go to the "view" menu and select the appropriate stats - that will show you the spring stuff.

Yeah, there's a split(?) for spring training stats.

Cool, thanks guys!

tboon wrote:

Roster cut downs are a Female Doggo.

True dat!

Plus I never know how much to trust their Spring Training stats. I know I've been burned by that before.

Alrighty, all set and hoping for the best. My primary catcher has had some issues in his injury recovery, which concerns me.

edit: and yes, I realize that my team did very well in spring training in spite of that, but that doesn't mean they'll necessarily continue to do awesome in the real season. We'll see; I'm certainly excited at the roster changes I've run through.

edit #2: Hah, Reed's been injured for all of Spring Training so I actually forgot he was still on my team. Dude needs to heal the hell up and get back on 3rd base!

Writing up a season preview. Exhausted from convention coverage. Will try and have new file up tomorrow afternoon.

You guys are playing OOTP 12, yeah? I've been thinking about getting into the series, and I may consider hopping into the next season after playing a couple of solo seasons to get a handle of the game.

I'd even say once you're a little familiar with the interface, just jump on in. I played part of a season single player to get a little familiar, then dove in with the league crew, and everyone's very willing to help answer questions you run into while learning.

CptDomano wrote:

You guys are playing OOTP 12, yeah? I've been thinking about getting into the series, and I may consider hopping into the next season after playing a couple of solo seasons to get a handle of the game.

I agree with Farscry - just jump on in. Multiplayer leagues are so much better than the solo stuff. We're just about to start a season, so nows as good a time as any to get going . . .

Farscry wrote:

I'd even say once you're a little familiar with the interface, just jump on in.

Yeah, that's why I was saying that I'll hop in at the start of next season. Don't the rules say new owners get added in the off-season? I don't mind sitting out until the next off season

EDIT: Oh, I thought the next season already started?

We're on OOTP 13 now.

CptDomano wrote:

Yeah, that's why I was saying that I'll hop in at the start of next season. Don't the rules say new owners get added in the off-season? I don't mind sitting out until the next off season

EDIT: Oh, I thought the next season already started?

Ooh, I wasn't thinking that we JUST started the new season. PM Pred and see what he thinks, but yeah, you might have to wait until the next season starts, I don't know what the cutoff point is.

If owners can have a say, I would vote that we let folks in whenever rather than wait. Better to get people in and involved than waiting when they may lose interest.

Of course if it can be done without adding much overhead to the commish's plate. And if owners have a say.

Yeah, I don't know if it changes anything on Predo's end but I don't really care when a new owner joins. Sooner the better, more the merrier.
I don't even care if you want to take over a perennial winner like Charlotte.

Looking forward to the new season. I wonder what the season preview will say about my team.

I've always wanted to try an online league as I've done a ton of fictional solo stuff. Unfortunately I'm currently running version 11. How long do your seasons take? I'm planning on picking up OOTP 13 when it goes on sale next which I think is usually at the end of the season.

tboon wrote:

If owners can have a say, I would vote that we let folks in whenever rather than wait. Better to get people in and involved than waiting when they may lose interest.

Of course if it can be done without adding much overhead to the commish's plate. And if owners have a say.

It can be done pretty easily. That "rule" really isn't so much of a "rule" as a "reccomendation" for our little league. League owners totally have a say in league policy, and i'm perfectly happy to let new owners into the fold mid-season (assuming they're willing to potentially be behind the ball RE: trades/FAs/what not).

This is a OOTP 13 season, mind.

pizzaddict wrote:

I've always wanted to try an online league as I've done a ton of fictional solo stuff. Unfortunately I'm currently running version 11. How long do your seasons take? I'm planning on picking up OOTP 13 when it goes on sale next which I think is usually at the end of the season.

The last season started on June 16th, and finished on August 9th. So two months, give or take a week or two. Let us know when you get OOTP 13 and you can hop in too!

With the excitement of the offseason and the free-agent frenzy over, it's time for players and fans around the country to return to baseball parks to enjoy another season of America's pastime.

The 2014 NABL Season is set to get underway on Monday, and the excitement is palpable. Can Vancouver win their third title in four years? Will Charlotte finally turn in a championship season? Who will the new names be that rise this year, and who will fall off?

[size=20]Preseason Predictions:[/size]

A year after expansion, there ought to be greater competition this year between the new teams and the tenured ones.

Northern League - East:

Again, the difference between Pittsburgh and Baltimore is wafer-thin, so don't hold us to anything we say here. Pittsburgh won by two games last year, and we're predicting a similar finish this year. That said, the East should have the biggest surprise this year, expect a major improvement from Detroit this year, in just their second year of existence. The Bulldogs will rise while we expect Baltimore to fall, and if things go their way, the Bulldogs might even have a shot at a playoff place.

Northern League - West:

Vancouver is aging, and weighed down by some massive contracts. They've lost a few stars this offseason and haven't replaced them, but we still expect them to be among the division's best, held up by their pitching. That said, Seattle will give them an even closer run for their money this season. Have no doubt, whoever wins the season series between the two teams will have a legitimate shot to win the division.

Southern League - East:

The East has been the best division in the Southern League these past few years, and we don't see any reason why it won't be the usual suspects at the top again. Charlotte and Miami will be duking it out for the #1 spot, with Atlanta falling back to a respectable 3rd-place finish. However New Orleans may find this season a real let-down, we have them turning last year's 80-82 record into a 69-93 disappointment, led by a pitching staff we just can't see genuinely scaring any hitters this year.

Southern League - West:

Having spent the last three seasons in the East's shadow, the West may boast the best team in baseball this season. We expect San Diego to be the only team in the league to top 100 wins this season, and to easily beat out Dallas and Los Angeles to the top spot. The fight between LA and Dallas for the second playoff spot should be the best viewing this year, two 90-win teams capable of belting a combined 350+ HRs this season, desperate to make the playoffs.

Offseason Winners/Losers:

We'll call the winners a three-way tie this year between Houston, San Diego and Memphis. Houston added Baltimore CF Elias Hickman in the offseason, paying just $12.4M for the All-Star who hit 30 HRs and had 100 RBIs last year. San Diego added Phoenix SP Fred Rhodes, although scouts across the league are saying the deal represents a massive risk (Rhodes will make $27M this year, despite an ERA+ of 84 last year), and also brought in Baltimore C Alberto Sanchez. Finally, Memphis is banking on Jason McDowell not only to produce at the plate, but to be the defensive stopper at 3rd the team could use.

Baltimore ranks as the biggest loser, saying goodbye to Alberto Sanchez, Elias Hickman, and bringing in Kade Allen, a player who had an atrocious -10 VORP last season. Phoenix also gets a mention, losing guaranteed All-Star C Jack Graves to Los Angeles. Would you give up a catcher who just hit .300 with 20+ HRs who's only 29, just for prospects? If this deal doesn't work out, expect to see someone in the desert lose their job.

Players to Watch

Steve Hannah, RF, Detroit: Steve could've been MVP in 2011, and perhaps should've. 2012 was another good year, but he saw his 2013 season stolen by injury and bickering with management, leading to a down year, but keep your eye out for Hannah this year. He says he's healthy and "ready to light it up" this season, and we fully expect the 32-year-old to do so, to the tune of 40+ HRs, 120+ RBIs and general terrifying-ness at the plate. Hannah has made clear he wants an MVP for his career, and this may be the year he gets one.

Loren Gill, 1B, Vancouver: About as defensively skilled as a potted plant, Gil still enjoyed an absolute breakout season last year, belting 29 HRs, notching 113 RBIs and winning Rookie of the Year honors. This season, he should near 40 HRs and may be in the MVP talk come September. Stay tuned, Vancouver has him locked up for the league minimum, but that will almost certainly change.

Francis Riley, SP, Boston: We crowed about the 24-year-old's abilties all last season, and expect to see more of the same. Riley is the single best pitcher in baseball right now, we think, and has a genuine chance at the league's very first 300 strikeout season. And he's a 250+ IP workhorse, and he's making just $5.85M this year. Pitcher of the year. Book it.

Carlos Macias, SP, Denver: If they had the offense, Denver could be a contending team with Macias at the helm. The 26-year-old went 7-6 last year, and this season we have him at 16-17, but it won't be his fault. Macias should approach 250 strikeouts and 300 IP this year, and with the league's best circle change, is probably Denver's best hope to put together a winning season.

Amador Rendora, 3B, Miami: Rendora is going to tear the cover off the ball this year. We're predicting career highs in almost every category, .304/.391/.691 and 47 HRs. He and teammate Herman Cherry have a chance to combine for 100 HRs this season, and both bat over .300. We'll let you muse on how ridiculous that is.

Warren Shawcross, RF, Atlanta: This is a contract year for Shawcross, and by the time he's done, Atlanta is going to have to think long and hard about what they want to pay him. Shawcross should be capable of batting .300 with 30 HRs and 100+ RBIs, and will probably cause opposing pitchers nightmares.

Clayton Green, SP, Charlotte: He went 23-6 last season, at 36. 37 now, if he can keep his ERA under 3.00 and his WHIP under 1.25, he may be the league's best old man.

Predictions:

We were wrong last year to think Vancouer was done, but can't see their reported financial restrictions helping them at all this year (especially if an injury exposes their threadbare minor league system). But it's time for a new title holder. San Diego loses to Pittsburgh in five games.

So, new file! Enjoy the season everyone, and good luck!

Denver-oriented notes:

- Denver ahead of Vancouver; if only it could last....
- Guillermo "Millionaire" Hernandez has the highest ERA I've ever seen him have: 1.93
- Denver owner thinks his team will play .500 ball: we are screwed, that guys lives to be pissed off for the second half of the season

And my top AAA starter tears an elbow ligament and lands on the DL for 8 months . . . on the positive side, he can hang out with my top ML starter for the next few months in the rehab room. I try to see the silver lining when I can . . .

Third? Atlanta relegated to third in the southeastern league? Screw that, we're gonna be second or first this year!

Shawcross is a monster. You better bet we're not letting him go after this season. He's the prospect I spent all last season excitedly watching him improve in AAA and trial runs in the ML as a sub for injured guys, and I was more than happy to promote him to the majors this season. He has completely lived up to my hopes over the course of spring training, and I hope to see him continue to earn his superstar status over the course of the season.

Opposing teams should be relieved when they face the Knights to find that our pitching staff seems to have toned down since last season a notch or two. We'll see; hopefully they hit their groove as the season gets into full swing.

Prederick wrote:

San Diego loses to Pittsburgh in five games.

*doubletake* Woah wait, what? You make nearly no reference in the whole preview then drop that bomb and jinx the Pierogies like that at the end?

The Pierogies were quiet in the offseason and only made minor moves hoping to strengthen their depth. In fact, the entire pitching staff and starting lineup remained intact and returned all starters from last year's league-leading 109-win season.

Pittsburgh brought up RHP Armando Rodriguez, a 19-game winner in AAA last year, as the 5th starter, and moved Brian Richard (9-4, 2.64) to the bullpen and as a spot starter. Returning veterans RHP Woody Wallace (22-8, 3.41) and RHP Hector Martinez (16-5, 3.09) will lead the starting rotation, while LHP Jason Harris (9-0, 1.01,) LHP Tom Mills (3-0, 0.93 WHIP) and RHP Greg Powell (4-3, 21SV) will anchor the bullpen.

The Pierogies were not able to find significant offseason upgrade at the leadoff spot and CF position. Halfway through his 4 yr, $28M contract, CF Pat Norlander has proved to be a disappointment, compiling .239/.293/.367, 16HR, 33SB in 711AB. Unproven FA Gerald Hart was brought in to compete for the position and will be platooning with Norlander to start season.

"We like Hart's speed and what he has done in the minors," said GM Steve Novocain. "We like his patience at the plate. Norlander is too much of a free swinger for the leadoff position and we like to see a speedster with some plate discipline at the top of our order."

The heart of the Pierogies batting order, RF Craig Peterson, C Allen Osborne and SS Tony Wagner, remain 3 of the best players at their position. Peterson, just 20 years of age, already a 2 time All-star and in his 4th year of major league service, had a tremendous spring and is primed for a breakout year. 1B Fred Snyder and CF Raul Rodriguez, both stars on the AAA-team and highly ranked on the prospect list, are expected to called up by midseason and contribute immediately.

I love when GMs bash their players in public.

tboon wrote:

I love when GMs bash their players in public.

I thought I was being diplomatic in this one. I've said much worse things publicly.