Most Difficult Team To Rebuild?

[Mister_G]

Using a 2012 MLB quickstart what team do you guys think would be the most difficult to turn into a championship team when you take into account their roster, minor leagues, market size, fan loyalty, interest, owner, etc.?

I guess I'm specifically looking for an NL team because I don't like the DH and am looking for a challenge.

[JWay]

The Astros? The Twins perhaps? The ROckies are a Tulowitski injury away from garbage. Cubs?

[MizzouRah]

At this point in time, probably the Cubs.

[The Wolf]

Rockies, Astros, Cubs, Padres - pick your poison.

[DrSatan]

The crappiest teams have been mentioned. Just pick the one with the worst farm system and lowest budget, and you have your answer. Pirates, Padres, Royals, and Nationals are always bad, but they've got pretty stacked farm systems. The A's might be pretty tough to turn around. The Cubs always suck, and are loaded down with fat contracts.

[s0ni42]

In the middle of a Cubs turnaround and it has sucked. I dealt Starlin Castro after the first year for Manuel Banuelos, Gary Sanchez, highly rated closer, and their first rounder from in-game and had the worst lineup in baseball history I would imagine in 2013.

Banuelos blew his arm out...Sanchez failed his first year as a backup in majors and hasn't recovered...Closer is in AAA still...and the first rounder is trying to make it as a 4th outfielder.

Needless to say, I was a perfect fit for the cubbies. Kept building the system and added Justin Upton and Elvis Andrus via trade and Kershaw for $200 Million in free agency. Currently sitting below .500 20 games into 2015

[mking55]

The "problem" with taking the worst team is that you will get a top draft pick next season. Then you are starting on your way to the top.

If you choose a middle of the pack team (one with no hidden starts in the minors), your draft pick is so-so (if you're lucky) and you're not going anywhere.

Stay small market so you can't "buy" a team through free agency.

I think with this formula you might possibly never win.

I always start with the worst team which I think is a mistake. I think middle of the road is the best/hardest choice.

[MizzouRah]

I started with v11 and the MLB QS and the Cubs have the worst winning % in the entire league over 11 1/2 seasons.

[2Rowdy]

I say the Orioles because Adam Jones is 'fragile' and will always be stuck in CF where his ratings are horrible, Nick is a pull hitter that might get you 15 HRs a season, Hardy is useless and takes a deep dive, Chris Davis is dumb and has low work ethic, Dylan Bundy has no outlook and a major league contract, Reynolds will be stuck at clean up hitter and he is super popular (funny stuff), Reimold can't play left field (almost true) but will remain there even if he should be the DH, Gregg is POPULAR (thats amusing) don't dare trade him, Chen stinks, Hammel stinks, Weiters is OK (but he'll bat 7 or 8 and demands A LOT OF money), etc.... The best thing is to trade them ALL.

EDIT: Did I mention Nick is one of the slowest players on the team and has no range in right field? The roster is HORRIBLE!

[TNCubsFan]

I agree that the Cubs are a hard rebuild, but once you are able to shed most of the contracts market size makes it easy.

I would suggest Pitt: Market size/interest, current roster, and stadium demands a custom team.

SD: Market Size/interest, current roster, and stadium requires you to build a specific type of team to win there.

Mil : They have current talent but you need to make some hard choices as contracts are about to run out all at once. Farm is a middling system. Will Market Size support a spending spree or do you start dismantling the team now?

I would throw Miami out there too but I havent looked in game to see how the new stadium has affected Market Size/interest. Besides having the electron Ozzie cant be anything close to the live wire Ozzie to deal with on a day to day basis.

[Junior19]

Originally Posted by JWay

The Astros? The Twins perhaps? The ROckies are a Tulowitski injury away from garbage. Cubs?

Hit that rockies one on the head!

[Magus978]

It could also be hard (for at least the first season or two) to turn the Mets into a winner. Very tough NL East with the Marlins, Braves, Nats, and Phillies, and some impossible to trade contracts in Santana and Bay. You might get something for Santana if you're lucky because he still has ability, but you're stuck with Bay until he rots. Doesn't help that you have a bullpen that's pretty bad. On the bright side, you could call up Daniel Ray Herrera right away as he has the ability to be a solid middle reliever. He's been strong for me and I'm now in the 2018 offseason. Also, build through the draft with the Mets. I'm sure you could find takers for Duda and Ike if you want to flip them for younger guys.

In the meantime, while you're building a competitive offense, restock the bullpen each season with cheap-ish arms. I've brought in solid 2.5/3 star guys before Spring Training who have turned into very capable relievers. However, it took me until 2015 before I started seeing massive improvement. Had to wait for the young players to come around, and whatever veterans I brought in to come back to form.