Tips for Expansion Teams?

Klew1986 · 04-04-2016, 10:26 AM

I am taking over an expansion team. I was curious what your strategy for building your roster is. I typically fill my minor leagues by age. Single-A (21-23 year olds), Double-A (24-26 year olds) and AAA (27+). Most of the Single-A players are never rated that well, but I figure thats what the first few drafts are for and any waiver signings.

bigsmooth · 04-04-2016, 10:32 AM

I took over an expansion team after the 2016 MLB season, the Indianapolis Hawks and we finished 62-100 in our first season. My best advise, because obviously the expansion draft isn't going to yield much potential. Draft the best and most affordable players, not decent/good players with outrageous contracts. Constantly scour the waiver wire for finds ---- use the Rule V draft to get a solid potential player. And draft well - especially quality starting pitching.

It won't happen over night, but if you build your minor league system, thru the draft, trades, and keep on the look for good cheap finds - I'd say it is a 3-5 year process.

My owner wanted me to have a top 5 farm system - after one year ---- REALLY!!!

Hammercraft · 04-04-2016, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsmooth

My owner wanted me to have a top 5 farm system - after one year ---- REALLY!!!

Unless you trade for prospects that are already ranked I'm not sure that's even possible - isn't the prospect list generated annually?

progen · 04-04-2016, 03:57 PM

This is the only way anymore I play this game. I always play stats only, and generally fictional. If you do play fictional, make sure you sim at least five seasons, mostly I'll do 7-8 seasons, so that you build up some history. Now, however, in OOTP17, I started with taking over the Houston Colt 45's in late 1961. The expansion draft was in December back then. And I'm an old guy, so when I went to Connie Mack Stadium in Philly, back in 1964 for my first ever ballgame, Houston was playing the Phils.

And to make the game more challenging, when it comes to the expansion draft, I allow teams to protect 20 players, and teams can only lose five or in some games, six players. The draft is 35 rounds, and just as someone else mentioned, I too stay away from the high salaried players, that are generally in their low to mid 30's. The AI is pretty smart when it comes to who they protect, and who they are Ok with letting go. Now the other team, that's run by the AI, will take chances on a higher salaried player, but it's funny, when the first season is completed, both teams have nearly the same record, and it's not good. My first year with Houston, they won 49 games, second year, 53, and this third year, 59. So you need patience, which is what I like about playing this way. I looked at what Houston did in real life, and it took them eight years to play .500 baseball, then they played four games under the next two years, so I'm at least moving in the right direction. And I always play not using recalc, that way players are going to perform more randomly. So yes, Mays will still be good, but maybe not great, and so on.

I usually sim one week at a time, and always check the waiver wire as an earlier poster mentioned. Also, in OOTP16 with my fictional league, sometimes I would take over both teams, and use different philosophies on building a franchise, and see how it turned out. And I always track my draft choices, rule V picks, and trades on a spreadsheet, just to see how things turned out. I usually follow them for 11-12 years. When I was playing OOTP16, and modern era, fictional, I would also track my int'l signings.

malor · 04-05-2016, 09:08 AM

Question on simming one week and checking the wavier wire. Don't you miss a lot of players that way since the wavier period is only 3 days?
In one week, you could miss a lot of players played on the wire days 1-5.

I started with MLB quick start, but I'm now in 2031 and used to do like you do by simming one week but when reviewing the transactions noticed I was missing many good players. I now sim one day at a time and check the wire each day.

'94 EXPOS · 04-05-2016, 10:50 AM

I always play as an expansion team. I used to build slowly and methodically through the draft, however I now focus on getting my team competitive by year three.

The expansion draft: The game has gotten much better at AI roster decisions. Gone are the days a prospect like Anthony Rizzo is available. Early rounds I try to find reasonable value to fill positional needs. Don't be afraid to take a bad contract or two if their popularity rating is high. This will help put bums in the seats. I also try to grab middle relievers with good stuff and stamina ratings. These guys can start....usually only for a year or two but it can get you decent results in the short term. Later rounds I take a bunch of flyers on older prospects who my scout or ratings say still have a chance.....I have drafted a Cy Young winner and a HOF closer in the same expansion draft.

Minor leagues: Don't fill Rookie or Short A until after the draft. I manually fill my upper minors (I manage my minors lineups and depth charts) with free agent signings. I treat these signings as lottery tickets and try to have a reason/upside for signing each player. This can be tedious as you comb through the pool of players but I usually get rewarded with a couple of gems (best was a five time MVP...I traded him before he accomplished this though!).

International: As much as your owner allows, you can go hog wild with international amateur signings....they beat the hell out of what your scout will go and find throughout the year. Also, signing any of the older FA's who enter the league each year is a great way to up your talent level....no compensation pick and your budget should allow you to easily outbid the established franchises.

Waiver wire: Scour it every day...same with Rule 5 and cut day coming out of spring training. I usually hold two or three roster spots open for cut day...there is always value with the out of options guys.

In short, I say be bold and take chances!...you will not regret it....unless you screw it up

'94 EXPOS · 04-05-2016, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malor

Question on simming one week and checking the wavier wire. Don't you miss a lot of players that way since the wavier period is only 3 days?
In one week, you could miss a lot of players played on the wire days 1-5.

I started with MLB quick start, but I'm now in 2031 and used to do like you do by simming one week but when reviewing the transactions noticed I was missing many good players. I now sim one day at a time and check the wire each day.

Yes...you will miss numerous opportunities to add to our team...my transaction log at the end my first year as an expansion team is something to behold!....I sim each day with a quick check of the waiver wire each day and a review of the previous day's game....I manually set my lineups for the day but sim the game....each week I review my minors and also pick one of the other big league teams and scout through their entire system....I grant you this can take some time but once you get comfortable you can get through a season pretty quick while still being attached to your team/league....obviously all of this is personal preference!

progen · 04-05-2016, 11:20 AM

Yea 94expos, I may try every day or every other day with the waiver wire. Simming weekly, I probably do miss some opportunities, although when I look at the MLB transaction log, it's usually minimal for the waiver wire.

Always appreciate the feedback, as it brings back things that I knew, but at some point forgot. Not only is the game awesome, but the community as well. Always so helpful!

ttaka808 · 04-05-2016, 09:56 PM

I always play with an expansion team and this year is no different. This year I'm playing as the Expos. I draft mostly young players or players I think have trade value. This year I was able to get Clint Coulter, Jharel Cotton, Adam Warren, and Brett Phillips with 25-man protection lists. Relievers are really easy to get as well in the expansion draft. To fill my minors, I signed almost every single batter with a 50+ contact potential (20-80) or a 55+ power rating. To fill my pitchers, everybody with a 50+ in stuff, movement, and control got signed.
During the first year, I usually end of blowing up the whole team and trading all of my veterans for younger players such as Will Myers, Hunter Renfroe, and somehow Jose Berrios (5 stars) and Trevor Bauer (3 stars) on normal trading difficulty.
During the second season I traded for Rougned Odor and my team won the wildcard with a 95-67 record, but a 87-76 pythagorean record. I ended up losing in the NLCS.
Like 94expos, I try to build up young talent, but win as well as early as possible. So far it's been going well this year making the playoffs in my second season and now having a team consisting of Berrios, Bauer, AJ Cole, Clint Coulter, Rowdy Tellez, Rougned Odor, Alex Bregman, and Hunter Renfroe. Last year with my expansion team it took me three years to make the playoffs, but I won five championships in fifteen years.

ttaka808 · 04-05-2016, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttaka808

I always play with an expansion team and this year is no different. This year I'm playing as the Expos. I draft mostly young players or players I think have trade value. This year I was able to get Clint Coulter, Jharel Cotton, Adam Warren, and Brett Phillips with 25-man protection lists. Relievers are really easy to get as well in the expansion draft. To fill my minors, I signed almost every single batter with a 50+ contact potential (20-80) or a 55+ power rating. To fill my pitchers, everybody with a 50+ in stuff, movement, and control got signed.
During the first year, I usually end of blowing up the whole team and trading all of my veterans for younger players such as Will Myers, Hunter Renfroe, and somehow Jose Berrios (5 stars) and Trevor Bauer (3 stars) on normal trading difficulty.
During the second season I traded for Rougned Odor and my team won the wildcard with a 95-67 record, but a 87-76 pythagorean record. I ended up losing in the NLCS.
Like 94expos, I try to build up young talent, but win as well as early as possible. So far it's been going well this year making the playoffs in my second season and now having a team consisting of Berrios, Bauer, AJ Cole, Clint Coulter, Rowdy Tellez, Rougned Odor, Alex Bregman, and Hunter Renfroe. Last year with my expansion team it took me three years to make the playoffs, but I won five championships in fifteen years.

Oh, and always trade bulk for quality.

04-04-2016, 10:26 AM	#1
Klew1986 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,727	Tips for Expansion Teams? I am taking over an expansion team. I was curious what your strategy for building your roster is. I typically fill my minor leagues by age. Single-A (21-23 year olds), Double-A (24-26 year olds) and AAA (27+). Most of the Single-A players are never rated that well, but I figure thats what the first few drafts are for and any waiver signings.

04-04-2016, 10:32 AM	#2
bigsmooth Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 437	I took over an expansion team after the 2016 MLB season, the Indianapolis Hawks and we finished 62-100 in our first season. My best advise, because obviously the expansion draft isn't going to yield much potential. Draft the best and most affordable players, not decent/good players with outrageous contracts. Constantly scour the waiver wire for finds ---- use the Rule V draft to get a solid potential player. And draft well - especially quality starting pitching. It won't happen over night, but if you build your minor league system, thru the draft, trades, and keep on the look for good cheap finds - I'd say it is a 3-5 year process. My owner wanted me to have a top 5 farm system - after one year ---- REALLY!!!

04-04-2016, 03:57 PM	#4
progen All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,535 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	This is the only way anymore I play this game. I always play stats only, and generally fictional. If you do play fictional, make sure you sim at least five seasons, mostly I'll do 7-8 seasons, so that you build up some history. Now, however, in OOTP17, I started with taking over the Houston Colt 45's in late 1961. The expansion draft was in December back then. And I'm an old guy, so when I went to Connie Mack Stadium in Philly, back in 1964 for my first ever ballgame, Houston was playing the Phils. And to make the game more challenging, when it comes to the expansion draft, I allow teams to protect 20 players, and teams can only lose five or in some games, six players. The draft is 35 rounds, and just as someone else mentioned, I too stay away from the high salaried players, that are generally in their low to mid 30's. The AI is pretty smart when it comes to who they protect, and who they are Ok with letting go. Now the other team, that's run by the AI, will take chances on a higher salaried player, but it's funny, when the first season is completed, both teams have nearly the same record, and it's not good. My first year with Houston, they won 49 games, second year, 53, and this third year, 59. So you need patience, which is what I like about playing this way. I looked at what Houston did in real life, and it took them eight years to play .500 baseball, then they played four games under the next two years, so I'm at least moving in the right direction. And I always play not using recalc, that way players are going to perform more randomly. So yes, Mays will still be good, but maybe not great, and so on. I usually sim one week at a time, and always check the waiver wire as an earlier poster mentioned. Also, in OOTP16 with my fictional league, sometimes I would take over both teams, and use different philosophies on building a franchise, and see how it turned out. And I always track my draft choices, rule V picks, and trades on a spreadsheet, just to see how things turned out. I usually follow them for 11-12 years. When I was playing OOTP16, and modern era, fictional, I would also track my int'l signings.

04-05-2016, 09:08 AM	#5
malor Major Leagues Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 498	Question on simming one week and checking the wavier wire. Don't you miss a lot of players that way since the wavier period is only 3 days? In one week, you could miss a lot of players played on the wire days 1-5. I started with MLB quick start, but I'm now in 2031 and used to do like you do by simming one week but when reviewing the transactions noticed I was missing many good players. I now sim one day at a time and check the wire each day.

04-05-2016, 10:50 AM	#6
'94 EXPOS Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 323	I always play as an expansion team. I used to build slowly and methodically through the draft, however I now focus on getting my team competitive by year three. The expansion draft: The game has gotten much better at AI roster decisions. Gone are the days a prospect like Anthony Rizzo is available. Early rounds I try to find reasonable value to fill positional needs. Don't be afraid to take a bad contract or two if their popularity rating is high. This will help put bums in the seats. I also try to grab middle relievers with good stuff and stamina ratings. These guys can start....usually only for a year or two but it can get you decent results in the short term. Later rounds I take a bunch of flyers on older prospects who my scout or ratings say still have a chance.....I have drafted a Cy Young winner and a HOF closer in the same expansion draft. Minor leagues: Don't fill Rookie or Short A until after the draft. I manually fill my upper minors (I manage my minors lineups and depth charts) with free agent signings. I treat these signings as lottery tickets and try to have a reason/upside for signing each player. This can be tedious as you comb through the pool of players but I usually get rewarded with a couple of gems (best was a five time MVP...I traded him before he accomplished this though!). International: As much as your owner allows, you can go hog wild with international amateur signings....they beat the hell out of what your scout will go and find throughout the year. Also, signing any of the older FA's who enter the league each year is a great way to up your talent level....no compensation pick and your budget should allow you to easily outbid the established franchises. Waiver wire: Scour it every day...same with Rule 5 and cut day coming out of spring training. I usually hold two or three roster spots open for cut day...there is always value with the out of options guys. In short, I say be bold and take chances!...you will not regret it....unless you screw it up

04-05-2016, 11:20 AM	#8
progen All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,535 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Yea 94expos, I may try every day or every other day with the waiver wire. Simming weekly, I probably do miss some opportunities, although when I look at the MLB transaction log, it's usually minimal for the waiver wire. Always appreciate the feedback, as it brings back things that I knew, but at some point forgot. Not only is the game awesome, but the community as well. Always so helpful!

04-05-2016, 09:56 PM	#9
ttaka808 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 280	I always play with an expansion team and this year is no different. This year I'm playing as the Expos. I draft mostly young players or players I think have trade value. This year I was able to get Clint Coulter, Jharel Cotton, Adam Warren, and Brett Phillips with 25-man protection lists. Relievers are really easy to get as well in the expansion draft. To fill my minors, I signed almost every single batter with a 50+ contact potential (20-80) or a 55+ power rating. To fill my pitchers, everybody with a 50+ in stuff, movement, and control got signed. During the first year, I usually end of blowing up the whole team and trading all of my veterans for younger players such as Will Myers, Hunter Renfroe, and somehow Jose Berrios (5 stars) and Trevor Bauer (3 stars) on normal trading difficulty. During the second season I traded for Rougned Odor and my team won the wildcard with a 95-67 record, but a 87-76 pythagorean record. I ended up losing in the NLCS. Like 94expos, I try to build up young talent, but win as well as early as possible. So far it's been going well this year making the playoffs in my second season and now having a team consisting of Berrios, Bauer, AJ Cole, Clint Coulter, Rowdy Tellez, Rougned Odor, Alex Bregman, and Hunter Renfroe. Last year with my expansion team it took me three years to make the playoffs, but I won five championships in fifteen years.