OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

boogeyboard1 · 08-22-2018, 01:20 AM

So I may have made a slight tactical error by playing the entire first season before I decided I wanted to do writeups about this league, but oh well. Future seasons will be done in slightly more detail.

I finished the inaugural season at 80-82 with the Austin Marshals. Our first pick in the inaugural draft, SP Kevin Carter, tore his labrum in his first spring training game and missed the beginning of the season. He battles through a couple more injuries throughout the year to finish 7-6 with a 3.17 ERA in 18 starts. I'd say we're in a decent position going forward. I sold off a couple upcoming free agents at the July 31st deadline for guys under more control and prospects. Our rotation could definitely use improvement (we traded a top starter, Jake Johnson, to the Yankees in the EBL at the deadline because he was 35 and was asking for a 5 year extension).

One issue I'm running into early on is that my manager, Juan Marquez, is not getting along with many of my star players. SS Fernando Iguerre, who I acquired at the deadline from the Padres to be my backup shortstop for the end of the season, does not want to talk about an extension because he doesn't want to play for Marquez. This isn't a major issue, I'll find another backup SS. RF Mike Marusiak, who hit 41 homers this year, is up for arbitration and won't negotiate for the same reason. That could become a bigger issue. I also had guys requesting trades all season long. Marquez has an excellent reputation, and our team far exceeded preseason expectations this year, but I am going to have to look into other options this offseason.

The wild-card-winning Royals beat Tucson to win the WBL championship, while Raleigh prevailed over Washington in the EBL.

Both leagues made some major post-season announcements. The WBL announced that they are moving from a 15-day-DL to a 19-day-DL. The EBL's change was much more exciting: They're expanding the league by two teams.

The EBL expansion teams are the San Antonio Zeppelin and the San Diego Timberjacks. It seems the EBL is going on the offensive to directly compete with the WBL nationwide. The WBL has the Rampage in San Antonio and the Padres in San Diego. The expansion draft will take place in November.

After just one season in the WBL, I am considering a move to the EBL. The Cincinnati Reds, who were 68-94 last season, fired their GM and have offered me the job. The 3-year contract they're offering pays 40k more a year than I'm getting from the Marshals. The expansion teams also both offered me contracts, but I don't want to go to an expansion team. The EBL might also be more successful long term. They have more highly-populated cities in their league, are expanding to the west already, and their all-star game was a big success. Plus, I wouldn't have to deal with this mess with my manager or the new 19-day-DL.

On the other hand, despite having some problems, it will definitely be easier to move the Marshals toward success than the Reds. The manager problem can be dealt with one way or another, and the 19-day-DL isn't that big a deal. I have some money to spend this offseason, and with the right moves I could be pretty competitive next year.

I have a lot to think about! I also don't have logos and unis for my new expansion teams, so if anyone is interested in making them I'd really appreciate it!

08-22-2018, 01:20 AM	#2
boogeyboard1 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 1,129	So I may have made a slight tactical error by playing the entire first season before I decided I wanted to do writeups about this league, but oh well. Future seasons will be done in slightly more detail. I finished the inaugural season at 80-82 with the Austin Marshals. Our first pick in the inaugural draft, SP Kevin Carter, tore his labrum in his first spring training game and missed the beginning of the season. He battles through a couple more injuries throughout the year to finish 7-6 with a 3.17 ERA in 18 starts. I'd say we're in a decent position going forward. I sold off a couple upcoming free agents at the July 31st deadline for guys under more control and prospects. Our rotation could definitely use improvement (we traded a top starter, Jake Johnson, to the Yankees in the EBL at the deadline because he was 35 and was asking for a 5 year extension). One issue I'm running into early on is that my manager, Juan Marquez, is not getting along with many of my star players. SS Fernando Iguerre, who I acquired at the deadline from the Padres to be my backup shortstop for the end of the season, does not want to talk about an extension because he doesn't want to play for Marquez. This isn't a major issue, I'll find another backup SS. RF Mike Marusiak, who hit 41 homers this year, is up for arbitration and won't negotiate for the same reason. That could become a bigger issue. I also had guys requesting trades all season long. Marquez has an excellent reputation, and our team far exceeded preseason expectations this year, but I am going to have to look into other options this offseason. The wild-card-winning Royals beat Tucson to win the WBL championship, while Raleigh prevailed over Washington in the EBL. Both leagues made some major post-season announcements. The WBL announced that they are moving from a 15-day-DL to a 19-day-DL. The EBL's change was much more exciting: They're expanding the league by two teams. The EBL expansion teams are the San Antonio Zeppelin and the San Diego Timberjacks. It seems the EBL is going on the offensive to directly compete with the WBL nationwide. The WBL has the Rampage in San Antonio and the Padres in San Diego. The expansion draft will take place in November. After just one season in the WBL, I am considering a move to the EBL. The Cincinnati Reds, who were 68-94 last season, fired their GM and have offered me the job. The 3-year contract they're offering pays 40k more a year than I'm getting from the Marshals. The expansion teams also both offered me contracts, but I don't want to go to an expansion team. The EBL might also be more successful long term. They have more highly-populated cities in their league, are expanding to the west already, and their all-star game was a big success. Plus, I wouldn't have to deal with this mess with my manager or the new 19-day-DL. On the other hand, despite having some problems, it will definitely be easier to move the Marshals toward success than the Reds. The manager problem can be dealt with one way or another, and the 19-day-DL isn't that big a deal. I have some money to spend this offseason, and with the right moves I could be pretty competitive next year. I have a lot to think about! I also don't have logos and unis for my new expansion teams, so if anyone is interested in making them I'd really appreciate it!