How Should I Handle My Ace?

Klew1986 · 09-02-2013, 02:40 PM

So my Ace is 24 years old and I feel like I'm working him too much, but at the same time I want to continue to win win win.

As you can see, he is projected to hit 250+ IP this season. As I start the 2nd half of the season, I am already 17 games up in my division, so I could rest him towards the end of the season or give him extra days off when an off day occurs.

Thoughts?

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Cryomaniac · 09-02-2013, 02:50 PM

Personally, with stamina like that I wouldn't be too concerned unless he's really injury prone, although I think I would have a Dusty Baker type reputation in my OOTP universe (3 of my pitchers are 1, 2 and 3 in complete games)...

mrking81012 · 09-02-2013, 03:04 PM

I would give him rest days personally (especially if the injury setting is above 'Low') Better safe than sorry especially since your record is very very good.

Nunyer · 09-02-2013, 03:10 PM

Although it's not always possible, I like to keep a starting pitcher in the pen for long relief and the occasional spot start. I try to line up the spot starts to take place before a day off, that way I can go to the pen early/often if required without having to worry about needing them the next day.

It appears as if your ace suffered a significant injury the year before, so I don't think some caution would be a bad thing. Especially if you have a big lead in the division and either have a spot starter on your staff or option years already used that would let you shuffle a triple A starter up to the bigs here and there.

Orcin · 09-02-2013, 03:26 PM

Don't baby him. Keep running him out there. 250 innings is nothing.

Sincerely,
Jim Kaat

nyy26wc · 09-02-2013, 03:29 PM

Because you have of the big lead you have in the division, I'd give him some rest for 2 reasons--

1) As Nunyer points out, he is coming off an injury season.

2) If you're a small market team, you might not want to risk him having such a good year that he gets too expensive in arbitration and wants too much to re-sign to a long term deal.

But, if you didn't have such a big lead, I'd say pitch him and go to the title. I have a 2/1 rule when it comes to going for a title. If I hold someone back (either IPs or holding back or holding back on a prospect in trade talks), if it can cost me a championship, then he'd have to be able to win me 2 championships in the future to make up for it. He's have to win me 1 championship to just break even with the 1 that not giving him up/not pitching him could cost me and then I'd need that 2nd one to end up ahead in the exchange.

RchW · 09-02-2013, 03:29 PM

If you must do something, and I don't think you need to, then put him on a pitch count, say 115. I find this effective because when he is good he won't need 115 pitches and when he is bad or just inefficient he won't pitch unnecessary innings.

In September go to a 6 man rotation and/or do 90 pitch starts in the last 2 weeks, especially if you have the playoffs cinched.

nyy26wc · 09-02-2013, 03:39 PM

Has anyone else noticed what seems to be an increase in injuries in OOTP in September?

I can't figure out whether there really is more or if they just stand out more, so it's just a case of observation bias.

VanillaGorilla · 09-02-2013, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyy26wc

Has anyone else noticed what seems to be an increase in injuries in OOTP in September?

I can't figure out whether there really is more or if they just stand out more, so it's just a case of observation bias.

Injuries are cumulative. Therefore, players in September carry injuries from earlier in the season into the formula for September that were not there in April. Intuitively it makes sense that more happen in Spetember, all other things being equal. How discernible this actually is for someone simply managing a team is questionable, and observational bias is probably contributing to you noticing any slight, but actual, uptick in September injuries.

ADD: To the OP, with a 17 game lead at the All Star break, I would go to some form of a 6 man rotation, now. Why risk injury, or having your pitcher hit a seasonal fatigue threshold during the play-offs? Bring up a AAA kid and let him show you what he has. The worst he can do is lose you games that affect your championship winning chances next to nothing.

If your lead gets below 10 games, I would go back to best 5 man rotation until you have clinched a birth in the post season.

nyy26wc · 09-02-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanillaGorilla

Injuries are cumulative. Therefore, players in September carry injuries from earlier in the season into the formula for September that were not there in April. Intuitively it makes sense that more happen in Spetember, all other things being equal. How discernible this actually is for someone simply managing a team is questionable, and observational bias is probably contributing to you noticing any slight, but actual, uptick in September injuries.

That makes sense.

Quote:

ADD: To the OP, with a 17 game lead at the All Star break, I would go to some form of a 6 man rotation, now. Why risk injury, or having your pitcher hit a seasonal fatigue threshold during the play-offs? Bring up a AAA kid and let him show you what he has. The worst he can do is lose you games that affect your championship winning chances next to nothing.

If your lead gets below 10 games, I would go back to best 5 man rotation until you have clinched a birth in the post season.

I agree with that strategy.

Nunyer · 09-02-2013, 07:30 PM

Spring training always seems to be my bad time for injury. Every year I seem to go into opening day with three starters lost until late April / early May.

For whatever reason, I've never tried a six man rotation... I've always used a swingman before a day off to give a two day push back to the standard 5 man rotation ... But on my current team I do have a couple a legit back end starters in my pen, so maybe I'll give it a try if I push out a comfortable lead later in the season.

r0nster · 09-03-2013, 05:01 PM

I like to pitch them till they drop. WIll have them go into 7th 8th or complete game if I can to limit my bullpin.... I am more or less the thinking if my pitcher is a starter he should be able to go the distance and bullpen is for times of trouble and usually the highest apparence is 55 games tops for one player each year.

Don't sweat it keep using the 24 year old and If he that good and reliable I would sign the guy to a long term contract

Klew1986 · 10-13-2013, 10:41 AM

Here is an update on how his career has gone.

Current Ratings:

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Career Stats:

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jaysdailydose · 10-13-2013, 10:48 AM

Looks like it worked out OK. You were 13-1 when you asked the question, and he went 21-2 and he worked about 80 more innings.

The big question. Did it yield a title?

Klew1986 · 10-13-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysdailydose

Looks like it worked out OK. You were 13-1 when you asked the question, and he went 21-2 and he worked about 80 more innings.

The big question. Did it yield a title?

Yes. That led to a title. That was actually the beginning of 5 straight USBL titles for Minneapolis Lakers. I have won the title in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026.

BoSoxFan · 10-13-2013, 05:20 PM

Absolutely use him! A projected WAR of 10!? This year IRL, that's the difference between the best record in baseball and not making the postseason!

09-02-2013, 02:40 PM	#1
Klew1986 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,727	How Should I Handle My Ace? So my Ace is 24 years old and I feel like I'm working him too much, but at the same time I want to continue to win win win. As you can see, he is projected to hit 250+ IP this season. As I start the 2nd half of the season, I am already 17 games up in my division, so I could rest him towards the end of the season or give him extra days off when an off day occurs. Thoughts?

09-02-2013, 02:50 PM	#2
Cryomaniac Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hucknall, Notts, UK Posts: 4,902	Personally, with stamina like that I wouldn't be too concerned unless he's really injury prone, although I think I would have a Dusty Baker type reputation in my OOTP universe (3 of my pitchers are 1, 2 and 3 in complete games)... __________________

09-02-2013, 03:29 PM	#7
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto ON by way of Glasgow UK Posts: 15,629	If you must do something, and I don't think you need to, then put him on a pitch count, say 115. I find this effective because when he is good he won't need 115 pitches and when he is bad or just inefficient he won't pitch unnecessary innings. In September go to a 6 man rotation and/or do 90 pitch starts in the last 2 weeks, especially if you have the playoffs cinched. __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

10-13-2013, 10:41 AM	#13
Klew1986 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,727	Update on Bill Bruce Here is an update on how his career has gone. Current Ratings: Career Stats:

10-13-2013, 10:48 AM	#14
jaysdailydose Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2,325	Looks like it worked out OK. You were 13-1 when you asked the question, and he went 21-2 and he worked about 80 more innings. The big question. Did it yield a title? __________________ Manager - Motor City Marshals Perfect Manager/Discord Name: jaysdailydose

09-02-2013, 03:04 PM	#3
mrking81012 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 68	I would give him rest days personally (especially if the injury setting is above 'Low') Better safe than sorry especially since your record is very very good.

09-02-2013, 03:10 PM	#4
Nunyer All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baseball Ned Flanders stares into your soul... Posts: 594	Although it's not always possible, I like to keep a starting pitcher in the pen for long relief and the occasional spot start. I try to line up the spot starts to take place before a day off, that way I can go to the pen early/often if required without having to worry about needing them the next day. It appears as if your ace suffered a significant injury the year before, so I don't think some caution would be a bad thing. Especially if you have a big lead in the division and either have a spot starter on your staff or option years already used that would let you shuffle a triple A starter up to the bigs here and there.

09-02-2013, 03:26 PM	#5
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,881	Don't baby him. Keep running him out there. 250 innings is nothing. Sincerely, Jim Kaat

09-02-2013, 03:29 PM	#6
nyy26wc All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 679	Because you have of the big lead you have in the division, I'd give him some rest for 2 reasons-- 1) As Nunyer points out, he is coming off an injury season. 2) If you're a small market team, you might not want to risk him having such a good year that he gets too expensive in arbitration and wants too much to re-sign to a long term deal. But, if you didn't have such a big lead, I'd say pitch him and go to the title. I have a 2/1 rule when it comes to going for a title. If I hold someone back (either IPs or holding back or holding back on a prospect in trade talks), if it can cost me a championship, then he'd have to be able to win me 2 championships in the future to make up for it. He's have to win me 1 championship to just break even with the 1 that not giving him up/not pitching him could cost me and then I'd need that 2nd one to end up ahead in the exchange.

09-02-2013, 03:39 PM	#8
nyy26wc All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 679	Has anyone else noticed what seems to be an increase in injuries in OOTP in September? I can't figure out whether there really is more or if they just stand out more, so it's just a case of observation bias.

09-02-2013, 07:30 PM	#11
Nunyer All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baseball Ned Flanders stares into your soul... Posts: 594	Spring training always seems to be my bad time for injury. Every year I seem to go into opening day with three starters lost until late April / early May. For whatever reason, I've never tried a six man rotation... I've always used a swingman before a day off to give a two day push back to the standard 5 man rotation ... But on my current team I do have a couple a legit back end starters in my pen, so maybe I'll give it a try if I push out a comfortable lead later in the season.

09-03-2013, 05:01 PM	#12
r0nster Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,081	I like to pitch them till they drop. WIll have them go into 7th 8th or complete game if I can to limit my bullpin.... I am more or less the thinking if my pitcher is a starter he should be able to go the distance and bullpen is for times of trouble and usually the highest apparence is 55 games tops for one player each year. Don't sweat it keep using the 24 year old and If he that good and reliable I would sign the guy to a long term contract

10-13-2013, 05:20 PM	#16
BoSoxFan Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 480	Absolutely use him! A projected WAR of 10!? This year IRL, that's the difference between the best record in baseball and not making the postseason!