Rebuild, or go for it?

Sarcastic · 11-22-2005, 07:30 PM

I've reached a point in my online league where I'm not sure what to do. I took over a team three years ago. At that point it was good, and I made a few deals for players to improve it. So far the team has done well, and it looks like despite an unlucky season, they will make the playoffs for the third season in a row.

The problem is that the team is pretty old. The starting pitching especially old, and three of my good starters are 37, 36, and 34. Most of my other key players are in their mid or early 30s. I have just one starting posistion player who is under 30. They aren't done yet, but I don't know how much longer I'll be able to get anything of value for them.

Also, I'm running out of money. I expect I will have to cut payroll somewhat next season.

The question is this: should I shut it down now, and start rebuilding ASAP? Or should I try to go out with a bang next year, even if it means the rebuilding process will take longer?

Before you answer, I should mention that there are certain changes made by the commissioner outside of the game engine. The result is that in this league, players are less predictable, and losing teams tend to lose fan interest very quickly.

Here's a link to the webpage: http://www.bemont.net/ddbhtml/

My team is the Ritchford Redwings.

sfgiants88 · 11-22-2005, 07:36 PM

What kind of developement/aging modifiers is your league using?

Can you be more specific as to how the comish makes player developement more unpredictable?

Sarcastic · 11-22-2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfgiants88

What kind of developement/aging modifiers is your league using?

Can you be more specific as to how the comish makes player developement more unpredictable?

1) I believe the modifiers are set at standard levels. However, this is affected by out of the engine changes. I haven't been around long enough to notice, but just like most leagues, some players play well into their late thirties, and others flop in their mid thirties.

2) The main thing is that every player is assigned a value for intelligence, attitude, and athleticism. These (and some spreadsheets) are used to calculate outside the engine development changes for players. Because of this, players can develop or regress very quickly. I don't have the spreadsheets available because the comish doesn't give us the numbers he uses. It adds an element of unpredictability to the league.

I'll add for clarification that the comish doesn't manage a team.

battists · 11-22-2005, 11:26 PM

Well, I think a lot depends on how free agency works in your league. You said you're running out of money, which means you won't be able to spend much unless you have a lot of contracts up. In which case you need to decide whether or not to keep those guys.

When you're in money trouble, it's hard to make that last push. If you've made the playoffs, but aren't really a threat to win it all, then what's the point? If that's the case, then I might think about trading some of your more valuable older talent before the trade deadline, and try to get prospects in return. Unfortunately, this is a lot harder in online leagues than in solo.

But, the last thing you want to happen is to fall into rebuilding mode because your older vets' contracts ran out, and you didn't get anything for them. You have 10 players on your ML roster who will be free agents at the end of the year. You need to make decisions on them.

You don't have many minor leaguers ready to take over in the bigs. I might suggest moving some players for good prospects, but not all, and trying to remain reasonably competitive next year, while moving more players next year. I don't know if you can pull off a total rebuild quickly with this makeup.

Anyway, just some thoughts.

Comedian2004 · 11-22-2005, 11:31 PM

Don't mean to be off topic, but what they heck, it is Christmas.

I wonder if MLB owners and GMs have a forum and ask each other questions like this...

11-22-2005, 07:30 PM	#1
Sarcastic Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 36	Rebuild, or go for it? I've reached a point in my online league where I'm not sure what to do. I took over a team three years ago. At that point it was good, and I made a few deals for players to improve it. So far the team has done well, and it looks like despite an unlucky season, they will make the playoffs for the third season in a row. The problem is that the team is pretty old. The starting pitching especially old, and three of my good starters are 37, 36, and 34. Most of my other key players are in their mid or early 30s. I have just one starting posistion player who is under 30. They aren't done yet, but I don't know how much longer I'll be able to get anything of value for them. Also, I'm running out of money. I expect I will have to cut payroll somewhat next season. The question is this: should I shut it down now, and start rebuilding ASAP? Or should I try to go out with a bang next year, even if it means the rebuilding process will take longer? Before you answer, I should mention that there are certain changes made by the commissioner outside of the game engine. The result is that in this league, players are less predictable, and losing teams tend to lose fan interest very quickly. Here's a link to the webpage: http://www.bemont.net/ddbhtml/ My team is the Ritchford Redwings.

11-22-2005, 11:31 PM	#5
Comedian2004 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: In a house in Saint Cloud, Florida. Posts: 7,085	Don't mean to be off topic, but what they heck, it is Christmas. I wonder if MLB owners and GMs have a forum and ask each other questions like this... __________________ Like BLUES? Visit www.smokestacklightnin.com, you will LOVE it! New show every Monday!! New Blues HOF![/COLOR][/FONT]

11-22-2005, 07:36 PM	#2
sfgiants88 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 885	What kind of developement/aging modifiers is your league using? Can you be more specific as to how the comish makes player developement more unpredictable?

11-22-2005, 11:26 PM	#4
battists Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 18,506	Well, I think a lot depends on how free agency works in your league. You said you're running out of money, which means you won't be able to spend much unless you have a lot of contracts up. In which case you need to decide whether or not to keep those guys. When you're in money trouble, it's hard to make that last push. If you've made the playoffs, but aren't really a threat to win it all, then what's the point? If that's the case, then I might think about trading some of your more valuable older talent before the trade deadline, and try to get prospects in return. Unfortunately, this is a lot harder in online leagues than in solo. But, the last thing you want to happen is to fall into rebuilding mode because your older vets' contracts ran out, and you didn't get anything for them. You have 10 players on your ML roster who will be free agents at the end of the year. You need to make decisions on them. You don't have many minor leaguers ready to take over in the bigs. I might suggest moving some players for good prospects, but not all, and trying to remain reasonably competitive next year, while moving more players next year. I don't know if you can pull off a total rebuild quickly with this makeup. Anyway, just some thoughts.