How to go from "good" to "great"

209vaguhn · 07-27-2015, 06:38 PM

The last few seasons my Houston Astros have dramatically under performed what my talent level would normally bring. Last two seasons I was predicted to place first in the AL West, but never even reached the playoffs.

I'm trying my best to fine tune my roster, but i'm completely out of budget and cant even sign extensions (which makes me worried). I've fired a few staff members and replaced them with better coaches.

Anything else you recommend to get me from Good to Great?

The Game · 07-28-2015, 09:01 AM

How do you build your team? Are you trying to be a Steinbrenner and sign the most expensive people or are you Billy Beane and only care about WAR? As much as I hate Beane's style, he has done it right. WAR matters in OOTP.

Assos · 07-28-2015, 11:44 AM

Defense is also a good way to improve your team to bring it to the next level. Amazing what a 15% to 20% increase in infielders' ratings will bring to your win total. Of course, good pitching helps too.

sreem · 07-28-2015, 03:06 PM

I've never built a winner......

r0nster · 07-28-2015, 03:25 PM

Build good coaching staff does help influence game play of players

Raidergoo · 07-28-2015, 03:26 PM

If you have no budget space, and cannot offer extensions, and your team is still not winning, then the players that you have are no damn good. The rent is too high. Start trading ruthlessly.

IsaacR · 07-28-2015, 03:34 PM

Dramatic underperforming tends to have one of several underlying causes:

1. Bad defense. You're giving up a lot of runs due to bad defense, so many that your offense can't cover. If you lose a lot of 9-8 games, this may be it.

2. Bad scouting/evaluation. Maybe your scout is overvaluing guys, maybe you're overvaluing them based off of your scout's reports. Try to stay objective, and don't be afraid to fire your scout for a better one.

3. Bad coaching. Fire your manager, especially if you see somebody else you like. If your pitching has a higher ERA than it should, your pitching coach should probably be fine-tuning his golf game, since he's not doing much for your organization.

4. A bad bullpen. Just because the guys have the ratings doesn't mean that they're actually good. They may be blowing a lot of games late.

5. Just bad luck. If none of the above fit (your defense is solid, your scout seems accurate, your coaches have a long track record of success, and your bullpen locks down leads late) this is probably it. Wait 'til next year.

kingtut313 · 07-28-2015, 04:16 PM

I have a long save with San Diego and sometimes it gets to a point where, because of my financial restraints, I can only go so far with a particular bunch. Trade off some expensive assets and try to get back cheap players who can contribute right away or at least very soon.

I had a group who were a perennial playoff team scattered with all-stars but we were another player or two away from winning the championship. That off-season, I traded some guys and got back some prospects who were about 2-3 years away. Plugged the roster holes with cheap 1 year players. Two seasons later, all those young guys were ready and I had a great group of cheap talent to compete for the next 6-8 years. Ended up going to 3 World Series and winning 2 during the next 5 years.

TL;DR- Sometimes you need to take a step back in order to take two forward.

sabrtoothtiger · 07-28-2015, 04:24 PM

Defense and bullpen. You will position yourself to win a fair share of games you probably shouldn't with these.

07-27-2015, 06:38 PM	#1
209vaguhn Bat Boy Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 19	How to go from "good" to "great" The last few seasons my Houston Astros have dramatically under performed what my talent level would normally bring. Last two seasons I was predicted to place first in the AL West, but never even reached the playoffs. I'm trying my best to fine tune my roster, but i'm completely out of budget and cant even sign extensions (which makes me worried). I've fired a few staff members and replaced them with better coaches. Anything else you recommend to get me from Good to Great?

07-28-2015, 09:01 AM	#2
The Game Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inside The Game Posts: 30,937	How do you build your team? Are you trying to be a Steinbrenner and sign the most expensive people or are you Billy Beane and only care about WAR? As much as I hate Beane's style, he has done it right. WAR matters in OOTP. __________________ Go today don't wait for tomorrow It isn't promised, all the time you get borrowed Don't live your life for other people Don't bottle your emotions till they crack and fill a couple just sorrows Take your mind and refocus go get a paper write your goals out Throw your middle fingers to all your haters "Stay Strong"

07-28-2015, 03:06 PM	#4
sreem All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 673	I've never built a winner...... __________________ "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Except for bears....."

07-28-2015, 03:34 PM	#7
IsaacR Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Bowie, Maryland Posts: 464	Dramatic underperforming tends to have one of several underlying causes: 1. Bad defense. You're giving up a lot of runs due to bad defense, so many that your offense can't cover. If you lose a lot of 9-8 games, this may be it. 2. Bad scouting/evaluation. Maybe your scout is overvaluing guys, maybe you're overvaluing them based off of your scout's reports. Try to stay objective, and don't be afraid to fire your scout for a better one. 3. Bad coaching. Fire your manager, especially if you see somebody else you like. If your pitching has a higher ERA than it should, your pitching coach should probably be fine-tuning his golf game, since he's not doing much for your organization. 4. A bad bullpen. Just because the guys have the ratings doesn't mean that they're actually good. They may be blowing a lot of games late. 5. Just bad luck. If none of the above fit (your defense is solid, your scout seems accurate, your coaches have a long track record of success, and your bullpen locks down leads late) this is probably it. Wait 'til next year. __________________ The Oriole Way - My Dynasty as the Orioles GM Online Leagues: SBL - Colorado Rockies PATP - Montreal Royals

07-28-2015, 04:16 PM	#8
kingtut313 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 163	I have a long save with San Diego and sometimes it gets to a point where, because of my financial restraints, I can only go so far with a particular bunch. Trade off some expensive assets and try to get back cheap players who can contribute right away or at least very soon. I had a group who were a perennial playoff team scattered with all-stars but we were another player or two away from winning the championship. That off-season, I traded some guys and got back some prospects who were about 2-3 years away. Plugged the roster holes with cheap 1 year players. Two seasons later, all those young guys were ready and I had a great group of cheap talent to compete for the next 6-8 years. Ended up going to 3 World Series and winning 2 during the next 5 years. TL;DR- Sometimes you need to take a step back in order to take two forward. __________________ Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. - Toby Harrah

07-28-2015, 11:44 AM	#3
Assos All Star Starter Join Date: May 2004 Location: Just on the fair side of the foul pole! Posts: 1,772	Defense is also a good way to improve your team to bring it to the next level. Amazing what a 15% to 20% increase in infielders' ratings will bring to your win total. Of course, good pitching helps too.

07-28-2015, 03:25 PM	#5
r0nster Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,053	Build good coaching staff does help influence game play of players

07-28-2015, 03:26 PM	#6
Raidergoo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9,005	If you have no budget space, and cannot offer extensions, and your team is still not winning, then the players that you have are no damn good. The rent is too high. Start trading ruthlessly.

07-28-2015, 04:24 PM	#9
sabrtoothtiger Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 137	Defense and bullpen. You will position yourself to win a fair share of games you probably shouldn't with these.