It was very tempting, but . . .

[smiller]

Have you ever been tempted by your historical knowledge to make a trade you knew was wrong? I'm GM of the 1952 Reds and desperately in need of a closer. I shopped Ewell Blackwell and found the Dodgers were willing to trade Clem Labine for him. Now I know Blackwell was at the end of his career and Labine had his best years still ahead. So far I've resisted, but it is a temptation. So who else has had this problem and how was it resolved?

[Bluenoser]

Just curious, but why would you "desperately need a closer" in 1952? Modern era style in historical?

Self discipline is how you resolve it

[smiller]

I should have said a good relief pitcher. Luke Sewell, my manager, usually puts in Frank Smith when we're in a save situation, although sometimes even earlier. Smith, however has blown five games already and we're only a third way through the season.

[Juggernt]

The first time I ever played a historical, I saw Wilbur Wood in 1969 as a reliever, then traded for him. He and his knuckleball lasted even longer in my sim that IRL--like into the 1980s. It felt a little cheaty.

[Critical Mass]

One of the reasons I've never played Historical.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by smiller

Have you ever been tempted by your historical knowledge to make a trade you knew was wrong? I'm GM of the 1952 Reds and desperately in need of a closer. I shopped Ewell Blackwell and found the Dodgers were willing to trade Clem Labine for him. Now I know Blackwell was at the end of his career and Labine had his best years still ahead. So far I've resisted, but it is a temptation. So who else has had this problem and how was it resolved?

Yes, I always have this problem. The way I resolve it depends upon my goals for the league.

If my owner is demanding a pennant or championship, then I figure that it is my duty to deliver it and I make the trade if it improves my club. If I am in rebuilding mode, then I make the trade because Labine is younger and it fits my goals.

If I am playing a league to fit a theme, such as trying to replicate the 1950's Reds and just enjoying playing with the players that I liked, then I wouldn't make the trade unless the Reds did (because it destroys my theme). If I am trying to win without doing anything that feels like gaming the system, then I wouldn't make the trade unless I thought the other GM would make it.

I once traded a couple of 1-star prospects for Babe Ruth. I felt really good about it because my goal was build a juggernaut. I once refused a trade where I could obtain a young Steve Carlton for a worn-out reliever because I wanted to win fair and square that time.

So you can decide how you want to play it. Does it bother you to make the trade? Then I wouldn't make it. Do you feel good about getting over on the AI? Then go for it with a clear conscience. The goal of this activity is to have fun.

[BirdWatcher]

Originally Posted by Orcin

The goal of this activity is to have fun.

This! So very, very much this.