Team Chemistry: Never Seen This Before...and I Like It!

JasonC23 · 05-24-2018, 08:25 PM

In one of my long-running fictional leagues (begun in OOTP 17), I switch teams every time I win a World Series. In 2027, I am in my third season as the GM of the Minnesota Twins, a team that has never won a World Series (league history dates back to 1901, although I only took over my first team in 2016).

On inheriting the team in the 2024 offseason, I discovered we had a promising rookie catcher named Mike Jallow. Now, the Twins already had a pretty highly paid starting catcher, and I made a trade with the Dodgers in my first offseason for a couple of underappreciated guys, including another catcher. To get both of them in the lineup, I DH'd the veteran, played the trade acquisition at C, and brought Mike Jallow north with the team to be the "backup" (third string) C. So, he would play when my starter was tired or if anyone got hurt--a risky move with a rookie, but I was confident it would work out.

And it did--in 37 starts in 2025, Jallow hit .331/.371/.446 and played good defense. Even better, he became my undisputed team Captain, with the Team Chemistry page noting how well-oiled the locker room was under his leadership.

During the 2025 season, I swung a big trade with the Cincinnati Reds, acquiring their biggest bat for some prospects, as well as a big salary from my team--my DH'ing veteran catcher. Of course, the big bat from the Reds was also a catcher, so in 2026, I went with the same "one C DH's, one C is the starter, and Jallow is the third string/backup C and team leader" scenario.

Well, being third string again didn't seem to completely sit well with Jallow; in very similar playing time, he hit .246/.296/.366. Fortunately, he was still a great team Captain, with the Team Chemistry screen again complimenting him on his great leadership skills in keeping the guys fresh despite the grind of the major league season.

So, here we are in 2027. The team is off to a ridiculously great start (30-6!), but Jallow, still in the third string/backup C role, is only hitting .114/.184/.314. (Seriously, he is 4 for 38!) But more interestingly--and the whole point of this post (thanks for reading!)--he is NO LONGER team Captain. Now the Team Chemistry screen has him listed under Outspoken--and more damningly, his profile page, while still saying he has High Leader skills, says, "Teammates feel Jallow could show more restraint when speaking to the press"!

So, in other words, when he was a "happy to be in the big leagues!" rookie, he hit great and was a great team Captain. When he was still in that role in year 2, he was disappointed and let it affect his hitting, but not his Captain leadership. Now, in his third year stuck in that role, he is mouthing off to the press about how much it sucks, and the locker room has turned on him.

And I gotta say...I love this!

It's great to see a player act realistically when his stubborn GM (me) clearly doesn't appreciate him!

andyhdz · 05-24-2018, 10:21 PM

that's pretty awesome! His personality regressed! I noticed something too in my season. I had one of my vets speak out against another player that was taking some plays off and I thought, here we go again and this will screw up my chemistry and I might have to deal one but voila a few days later the vet apologizes and they both shrug it off and move on!

BBGiovanni · 05-25-2018, 02:05 PM

I had no idea this happens, thanks for posting.

As for performance, you haven't posted all the exact numbers but that first year hitting .341 looks a lot like a statistical blip for a backup C. Nice that you got the extra benefit for the leadership!

quillenl · 05-25-2018, 03:26 PM

That is good to know. For some reason I thought the personality types were locked. If they can regress, then I would presume that non-captains with the right traits could become captains. Will have to keep a better eye on my High Leadership/Work Ethic guys.

Thanks for sharing!

JasonC23 · 05-26-2018, 07:27 PM

My 2027 season has reached the All-Star break. After the aforementioned horrible start to his year, Mike Jallow has bounced back with solid production off the bench and is now hitting .246/.288/.522 (which I will most certainly take from a backup C!). More significantly...he is a Team Captain again! His profile page says, "Jallow has a lot of influence in the locker room," and the Team Chemistry page says, "He's an invaluable part of the clubhouse, keeping things running during the daily grind of the season."

Methinks one of the veterans had a little sitdown with Jallow about what he was saying to the press...

Trauma One · 05-29-2018, 04:25 AM

I had Felix Hernandez change to low Work Ethic in his age 34 (or so) season when before it had always been normal. So, that can change as well.

Qeltar · 05-29-2018, 09:11 AM

I do like that personality changes. Honestly, wish it did more!

A weird one: I had a Rule 5 Draft rookie go from regular to a leader type and then back to regular in the course of a season. Not sure why.

05-24-2018, 08:25 PM	#1
JasonC23 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Huntley, IL Posts: 902	Team Chemistry: Never Seen This Before...and I Like It! In one of my long-running fictional leagues (begun in OOTP 17), I switch teams every time I win a World Series. In 2027, I am in my third season as the GM of the Minnesota Twins, a team that has never won a World Series (league history dates back to 1901, although I only took over my first team in 2016). On inheriting the team in the 2024 offseason, I discovered we had a promising rookie catcher named Mike Jallow. Now, the Twins already had a pretty highly paid starting catcher, and I made a trade with the Dodgers in my first offseason for a couple of underappreciated guys, including another catcher. To get both of them in the lineup, I DH'd the veteran, played the trade acquisition at C, and brought Mike Jallow north with the team to be the "backup" (third string) C. So, he would play when my starter was tired or if anyone got hurt--a risky move with a rookie, but I was confident it would work out. And it did--in 37 starts in 2025, Jallow hit .331/.371/.446 and played good defense. Even better, he became my undisputed team Captain, with the Team Chemistry page noting how well-oiled the locker room was under his leadership. During the 2025 season, I swung a big trade with the Cincinnati Reds, acquiring their biggest bat for some prospects, as well as a big salary from my team--my DH'ing veteran catcher. Of course, the big bat from the Reds was also a catcher, so in 2026, I went with the same "one C DH's, one C is the starter, and Jallow is the third string/backup C and team leader" scenario. Well, being third string again didn't seem to completely sit well with Jallow; in very similar playing time, he hit .246/.296/.366. Fortunately, he was still a great team Captain, with the Team Chemistry screen again complimenting him on his great leadership skills in keeping the guys fresh despite the grind of the major league season. So, here we are in 2027. The team is off to a ridiculously great start (30-6!), but Jallow, still in the third string/backup C role, is only hitting .114/.184/.314. (Seriously, he is 4 for 38!) But more interestingly--and the whole point of this post (thanks for reading!)--he is NO LONGER team Captain. Now the Team Chemistry screen has him listed under Outspoken--and more damningly, his profile page, while still saying he has High Leader skills, says, "Teammates feel Jallow could show more restraint when speaking to the press"! So, in other words, when he was a "happy to be in the big leagues!" rookie, he hit great and was a great team Captain. When he was still in that role in year 2, he was disappointed and let it affect his hitting, but not his Captain leadership. Now, in his third year stuck in that role, he is mouthing off to the press about how much it sucks, and the locker room has turned on him. And I gotta say...I love this! It's great to see a player act realistically when his stubborn GM (me) clearly doesn't appreciate him!

05-25-2018, 02:05 PM	#3
BBGiovanni All Star Starter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Republic of California Posts: 1,910	I had no idea this happens, thanks for posting. As for performance, you haven't posted all the exact numbers but that first year hitting .341 looks a lot like a statistical blip for a backup C. Nice that you got the extra benefit for the leadership! __________________ Let's Go (San Jose) Giants, Let's Go Mets! Current Project: WBAT/AABBA: Organized Base Ball And the "New Normal" World Baseball Aid Tournament 2023 trophy round underway!

05-24-2018, 10:21 PM	#2
andyhdz All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fresno, CA by way of Texas Posts: 1,754	that's pretty awesome! His personality regressed! I noticed something too in my season. I had one of my vets speak out against another player that was taking some plays off and I thought, here we go again and this will screw up my chemistry and I might have to deal one but voila a few days later the vet apologizes and they both shrug it off and move on!

05-25-2018, 03:26 PM	#4
quillenl All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 581	That is good to know. For some reason I thought the personality types were locked. If they can regress, then I would presume that non-captains with the right traits could become captains. Will have to keep a better eye on my High Leadership/Work Ethic guys. Thanks for sharing!

05-26-2018, 07:27 PM	#5
JasonC23 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Huntley, IL Posts: 902	My 2027 season has reached the All-Star break. After the aforementioned horrible start to his year, Mike Jallow has bounced back with solid production off the bench and is now hitting .246/.288/.522 (which I will most certainly take from a backup C!). More significantly...he is a Team Captain again! His profile page says, "Jallow has a lot of influence in the locker room," and the Team Chemistry page says, "He's an invaluable part of the clubhouse, keeping things running during the daily grind of the season." Methinks one of the veterans had a little sitdown with Jallow about what he was saying to the press...

05-29-2018, 04:25 AM	#6
Trauma One Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 30	I had Felix Hernandez change to low Work Ethic in his age 34 (or so) season when before it had always been normal. So, that can change as well.

05-29-2018, 09:11 AM	#7
Qeltar Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 382	I do like that personality changes. Honestly, wish it did more! A weird one: I had a Rule 5 Draft rookie go from regular to a leader type and then back to regular in the course of a season. Not sure why.