OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Tampa Bay Devil Rays: An Alternate History

thebigUNIT · 06-21-2005, 04:32 PM

Hey everyone, whatsup? I'm a big fan of a lot of the dynasty threads featured on the board and have been inspired to start my own. I've never really written one of these, though I've read quite a few, so it'll be a learn-as-I-go-type deal. I've run a handful of sucessful solo, mainly fictional, leagues that I'm disappointed about not writing about (from the start), because I know no matter what, even if there were only a few select readers, I'd continue on. I have a lot of fun with the leagues I run and I'm hoping to share that experience with you, the reader. So, with that, let's get this bad boy on the road!

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS: AN ALTERNATE HISTORY
In 1998, Major League Baseball expanded to 30 teams, adding franchises in Arizona and Tampa Bay. While Arizona has since appeared in the playoffs, once winning a title, Tampa Bay has sat in the cellar of the American League East.

THE DYNASTY:
I'll be taking over the expansion Devil Rays team of '98 as is, looking to alter
their history. Though their history has been brief, it's been consistent: lose,
lose, lose.

Rather than be the cellar dwellers they've become to be known as, I hope
that under new management and with a new agenda, outlook and plan, I can
build the Devil Rays into a sucessful, contending team and organization. I'll
make the moves as I see fit, but I won't take it overboard with the
transactions. Management knew that they were unlikely to contend right
away, so I'll tough it, again hopeful that I can build a successful team.

THE BIGGEST CATCH:
Rather than import the stars of today (eg.: Johan Santana, Dontrelle Willis,
Ichiro, etc.) as time transpires, the rookies and "amatuers" will be computer
generated.

THE AGENDA:
Overview: develop major league talent that can help contend at the latest, in 2002.

-Within a three season period, build a contending major league club.
It would be an unlikely idea to build a successful organization in just three
years (that instead, will take place over time), but not so to build a
contending team. This means we have the three full seasons to build the
team and at the latest we should be contending in 2002.

-Develop, develop, develop!
Whatever talent we come across, we intend to develop it. Drafted, free
agent signings, or trade acquisitions, whoever is there. No player should be overlooked.

-Pitching Focus.
What we are looking for from our pitching staff are guys who have 1) good
control and 2) are groundball pitchers. If you can get the occasional
strikeout, even better. Guys with good control, good stuff and get ground
ball outs are best fit for the team. Also, successful teams will also have a
good bullpen, so we feel it key to have one as well.

-Hitting Focus.
Everyone loves the guys who are good at making contact and have a good
eye. If that player is out there, we sure can use him. But we won't be
afraid to pluck a guy with any type of power, gap or homerun. Hitters with
speed are a plus, especially those who can bunt their way on.

-Fielding Focus.
One of the team's major focus will be fielding. The hope is that if we can
field, we won't lose the close games because of errors. With the idea that
our pitching staff will be focused on getting groundballs, it's key that our
infielders have a good range, glove, and arm. Those three pieces are
essential for each fielder, though, be it an infielder or outfielder.

-The Ideal Draft Prospect.
The ideal prospect won't necessarily be a college player, just because
he's "more polished", it'll be the player with the tools we need. Small
prefrences include: high school hitter over college hitter, college pitcher over
high school pitcher.

06-21-2005, 04:32 PM	#1
thebigUNIT Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 84	Tampa Bay Devil Rays: An Alternate History Hey everyone, whatsup? I'm a big fan of a lot of the dynasty threads featured on the board and have been inspired to start my own. I've never really written one of these, though I've read quite a few, so it'll be a learn-as-I-go-type deal. I've run a handful of sucessful solo, mainly fictional, leagues that I'm disappointed about not writing about (from the start), because I know no matter what, even if there were only a few select readers, I'd continue on. I have a lot of fun with the leagues I run and I'm hoping to share that experience with you, the reader. So, with that, let's get this bad boy on the road! TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS: AN ALTERNATE HISTORY In 1998, Major League Baseball expanded to 30 teams, adding franchises in Arizona and Tampa Bay. While Arizona has since appeared in the playoffs, once winning a title, Tampa Bay has sat in the cellar of the American League East. THE DYNASTY: I'll be taking over the expansion Devil Rays team of '98 as is, looking to alter their history. Though their history has been brief, it's been consistent: lose, lose, lose. Rather than be the cellar dwellers they've become to be known as, I hope that under new management and with a new agenda, outlook and plan, I can build the Devil Rays into a sucessful, contending team and organization. I'll make the moves as I see fit, but I won't take it overboard with the transactions. Management knew that they were unlikely to contend right away, so I'll tough it, again hopeful that I can build a successful team. THE BIGGEST CATCH: Rather than import the stars of today (eg.: Johan Santana, Dontrelle Willis, Ichiro, etc.) as time transpires, the rookies and "amatuers" will be computer generated. THE AGENDA: Overview: develop major league talent that can help contend at the latest, in 2002. -Within a three season period, build a contending major league club. It would be an unlikely idea to build a successful organization in just three years (that instead, will take place over time), but not so to build a contending team. This means we have the three full seasons to build the team and at the latest we should be contending in 2002. -Develop, develop, develop! Whatever talent we come across, we intend to develop it. Drafted, free agent signings, or trade acquisitions, whoever is there. No player should be overlooked. -Pitching Focus. What we are looking for from our pitching staff are guys who have 1) good control and 2) are groundball pitchers. If you can get the occasional strikeout, even better. Guys with good control, good stuff and get ground ball outs are best fit for the team. Also, successful teams will also have a good bullpen, so we feel it key to have one as well. -Hitting Focus. Everyone loves the guys who are good at making contact and have a good eye. If that player is out there, we sure can use him. But we won't be afraid to pluck a guy with any type of power, gap or homerun. Hitters with speed are a plus, especially those who can bunt their way on. -Fielding Focus. One of the team's major focus will be fielding. The hope is that if we can field, we won't lose the close games because of errors. With the idea that our pitching staff will be focused on getting groundballs, it's key that our infielders have a good range, glove, and arm. Those three pieces are essential for each fielder, though, be it an infielder or outfielder. -The Ideal Draft Prospect. The ideal prospect won't necessarily be a college player, just because he's "more polished", it'll be the player with the tools we need. Small prefrences include: high school hitter over college hitter, college pitcher over high school pitcher.