[oriole^]

I don't like to use fictional players, so I've come up with a way to simply phase the minor league teams in. In your first year, just go with three farm teams -- say, AAA, A ball, and a rookie team. The next year, add two more: your AA, and a short-season A or another rookie. Then in your third year, you can add the remaining ones: a high A team and a final rookie squad.

You'll still need to buy about fifty or so minor leaguers a year for the first three seasons, and of course they won't be any good to start with, but it's better than trying to fill up everyone immediately...and it can be fun searching through the dregs to see if there's a name in there you recognize, or if someone's ratings look so goofy that you have to see what they'll do on the field.