Perry and Brown

[KyleM]

Good afternoon baseball friends.

I am looking hard at both Gaylord Perry, and Kevin Brown. Both diamond level pitchers. Both 98 OVR

But I am most interested because they are groundball guys. I have a very good IF defense, with only FOTF Thomas (1B) weaker defensively.

Presently in Silver 300, going to Gold next week. I know that Perfect Johnson and Perfect Hubbell are the "holy grail" as far as starters go. I presently have:

FOTF Seaver
FOTF Plank
SE 99 OVR Maddux
!00 OVR Paige
100 OVR Grove

I am most interested in hearing how Perry and Brown have performed above Gold, in pitcher friendly parks with good infield defense.

As always...any experiences and advice is greatly appreciated!

[daves]

I have Kevin Brown. It doesn't look like he will upgrade your staff as a starter, but he does do well out of the bullpen. Looking around my league, Perry seems to be effective in the bullpen as well, but no so much as a Starter.

[KyleM]

Originally Posted by daves

I have Kevin Brown. It doesn't look like he will upgrade your staff as a starter, but he does do well out of the bullpen. Looking around my league, Perry seems to be effective in the bullpen as well, but no so much as a Starter.

Thanks Dave!

Exactly what I was looking for. I know park factors and IF defense matter, but as I said, my park factors are skewed in favor of pitching and defense, and I have a very good IF defensive team (outside of FOTF Thomas)

Looking for any edge as I am being promoted to Gold.

Have almost 210K PP's earned, and willing to spend another $100 to $200 to round out my team.

I may also wait for two to three weeks and grind out more PP's before spending anything. I guess anything is feasible right now.

Also need to upgrade CF, and possibly upgrade from FOTF Schmidt at 3B to FOTF Brett for the offense.

I appreciate your input. I am absorbing all of it!

Kyle

[daves]

George Brett would make a decent upgrade at 1b, His defense is lacking for 3b. Quite a few users tend to train great Shortstops to be their starting 3b or 2b. There is a lot to choose from in the AH for CF upgrades.

Did you do any collection missions?

[KyleM]

Originally Posted by daves

George Brett would make a decent upgrade at 1b, His defense is lacking for 3b. Quite a few users tend to train great Shortstops to be their starting 3b or 2b. There is a lot to choose from in the AH for CF upgrades.

Did you do any collection missions?

I have not done any collection missions that bear mentioning.

I have found that the AH over last month (and likely well before) has been ridiculously skewed towards dramatically overpriced. When I look at Tanner Roark for 1500 PP's, or Loaisiga for over 900 PP's, i know when things are past ridiculous. As someone who made my money through the market, I know a thing or two about investing, and returns. The AH, specifically for collection missions is NOT a wise market presently. When I am asked to spend $1900 PP's plus for a 69 Bob Geren, or $1500 plus for a 43 Esteban Loaiza I know enough to turn my back.

No disrespect intended for those/to those who spend this way, we all have our motivations, but I will not play the "make myself poor to make you rich" game just for the self satisfaction of saying that I have completed a mission. That is what is called "BAD BUSINESS"

I prefer to peruse the AH for the upgrades I want/need.

I have a fairly strong team, and I know it. Bit I also know I am at least 4-6 moves away from being a force, as I play the tournaments every day, and I absorb, and learn from every loss.

With athat, I love Schmidt's defense at 3B, but the drop off to Brett is almost inconsequential when the offense is factored in. I am all in on Brett, and will gobble him up over the next 24 hours or so!

As for CF...I platoon SE 100 Henderson and Historical Legend Yastrzemski...and they have been above adequate, but going forward into Gold, I don't think this is sustainable. I am torn between FOTF DiMaggio, and using the savings in PP's from FOTF Mays on additional pitching.

I appreciate any input you, or anyone can give.

Thanks again for taking, and spending your time responding to me!

Looking forward to any further comments.

[daves]

Your pitching staff alone should help you go to the playoffs and possibly win a Gold championship. It's not the leap to Gold that you should build for. It's preparing your team for that leap to Diamond. That Mays FOTF looks worth waiting for.

[KyleM]

Originally Posted by daves

Your pitching staff alone should help you go to the playoffs and possibly win a Gold championship. It's not the leap to Gold that you should build for. It's preparing your team for that leap to Diamond. That Mays FOTF looks worth waiting for.

Thanks for your views.

I am also aware that Mays would be a tremendous add to my lineup.

I believe that with Mays, and a Randy Johnson, OR a Hubbell, I can make the leap from a competitive Gold team to a team that on any given day can be a winner in any tournament.

But the "carrot" for me is competing at PL.

Cannot explain it, nor do I care to explore why, but I just want to compete at that level.

I count on opinions, views, and comments I get from you and others.

BTW...I believe I am pulling triiger on Brett for 3B sometime in next 24 hours as I see his FOTF card come up again.

Also going for RJ, and then over next week or so, adding Mays (maybe sooner...depending on how I fare selling 100 Yaz and 100 Henderson)

Hope we can talk again soon. I am HOOKED!

[dboeyr12007]

I am being demoted this week from gold, but I can tell you that I have spent a total of 8 weeks in gold. I have had a few seasons with a +.500 record and a playoff appearance. I can assure you my team is no where as strong as yours. You will be fine in Gold. I have seen several champions with teams weaker than yours.

[KyleM]

Originally Posted by daves

Your pitching staff alone should help you go to the playoffs and possibly win a Gold championship. It's not the leap to Gold that you should build for. It's preparing your team for that leap to Diamond. That Mays FOTF looks worth waiting for.

While I know that I need another two TOP TIER starters (Johnson and/or Hubbell), I just found FOTF Mays on AH for 275,000, and BITN for 300,000

I couldn't help myself.

I knew I wanted him, and while a lot more than DiMaggio, at 300,000 I pulled the trigger.

Re-considering my position on Brett over Schmidt. I have a strong offensive team now, and if I can bring two of the three pitchers I am looking at (Johnson, Hubbell, and maybe..possibly Price) I would feel comfortable heading into Diamond.

I would love any feedback on how Price has performed at Diamond and above.

[KyleM]

Today...I picked up the FOTF Mays, and unbelievably, about ten minutes ago, I picked up the 100 OVR Ed Walsh. I believe I am set for next two weeks or so, as I build PP's back up to add Johnson or Hubbell.

C-FOTF Mauer
1B- FOTF Thomas
2B-AT Legend Morgan
SS-SE 100 OVR Appling
3B- FOTF Schmidt
RF- SE 1923 100 OVR Ruth
CF- FOTF Mays
LF- AT Legend 100 OVR Bonds
DH-SE 100 OVR Williams

Bench- !00 OVR Yastrzemski
Bench- 100 OVR SE Henderson Going to sell now that I have Mays
Bench- 96 OVR Piazza
Snapshot-88 OVR John Knight


Staff

FOTF Seaver
FOTF Plank
AT Legend Paige
AT Legend Walsh
AT Legend Paige

Pen

!00 OVR Ryan
FOTF Fernandez
100 OVR Guidry
SE 100 OVR Gooden
100 OVR Dean
100 OVR Grove
100 OVR Gomez
100 OVR Kershaw
SE 99 OVR Maddux

I have spent/invested a lot of time on this team over the last three weeks/month.

I know the games must be played.

I am asking for advice from the vets here as to players you have that, or have had that I have mentioned above as it relates to Diamond and Perfect.

I play with park factors skewed towards pitching.

Any, and all input is appreciated.

[KyleM]

Hekko...and Good-Bye!!!!!!

[professor ape]

Originally Posted by KyleM

Good afternoon baseball friends.

I am looking hard at both Gaylord Perry, and Kevin Brown. Both diamond level pitchers. Both 98 OVR

But I am most interested because they are groundball guys. I have a very good IF defense, with only FOTF Thomas (1B) weaker defensively.

Presently in Silver 300, going to Gold next week. I know that Perfect Johnson and Perfect Hubbell are the "holy grail" as far as starters go. I presently have:

FOTF Seaver
FOTF Plank
SE 99 OVR Maddux
!00 OVR Paige
100 OVR Grove

I am most interested in hearing how Perry and Brown have performed above Gold, in pitcher friendly parks with good infield defense.

As always...any experiences and advice is greatly appreciated!

I got Perry a few weeks ago and am happy with the purchase.

[daves]

Originally Posted by KyleM

Hekko...and Good-Bye!!!!!!

How is your week in Gold?

[KyleM]

Originally Posted by daves

How is your week in Gold?

I finished at 122-40

Heading into play-offs now.

I made a couple of tweaks to my roster.

I put Yastrzemski up on AH and bought Delahanty to platoon with Bonds in LF.

Bonds has just been as bad as he possibly can be against left-handers, but he destroys righties. This should be a good L/R platoon.

I also put Morgan up on AH and bought Hornsby.

Sorry about the "Hekko and Goodbye" remark. That was my wife typing over my shoulder last Sunday night. She was annoyed that I was still going through the boards here and was trying to be "cute" "Hekko" is something we started saying to each other when while we were engaged. Heard it in a movie.

Anyway...week in Gold was good so far.

Still llooking to bring in two to three more pitchers. Sutter is absolutely KILLING me in the pen. I never would have anticipated he would be so bad. Any advice on how Price performs at Diamond and above?

Kyle

[daves]

Price performs well in Diamond. His only weakness is power righties can take him yard.

Good luck in the Gold playoffs and see ya in Diamond.

[KyleM]

Originally Posted by daves

Price performs well in Diamond. His only weakness is power righties can take him yard.

Good luck in the Gold playoffs and see ya in Diamond.

Thanks for the Price advice. Hope to match up with you in Diamond.

Honestly..I know I have some tinkering to do before I can compete with the better Diamond teams. Although I win a couple of tournaments here and there, I routinely get butt spanked, more so in the Dailies, but this gives me a clear picture of what I need to do.

Talk later.

Kyle

[daves]

Originally Posted by KyleM

Thanks for the Price advice. Hope to match up with you in Diamond.

Honestly..I know I have some tinkering to do before I can compete with the better Diamond teams. Although I win a couple of tournaments here and there, I routinely get butt spanked, more so in the Dailies, but this gives me a clear picture of what I need to do.

Talk later.

Kyle

So how are you doing at the Diamond level? I am sure you should have noticed the change in competition? Or maybe not?

[KyleM]

Originally Posted by daves

So how are you doing at the Diamond level? I am sure you should have noticed the change in competition? Or maybe not?

Ohhhh yes...huge step up in quality of teams here in Diamond. Last year in PL it was easier than what I see here in Diamond.

Have done some more adjusting, and actually made a mistake with a player.

I bought Hornsby off AH last Saturday...but while he is competent defensively...not good...competent, he is feeble offensively. I would have been better off holding onto Joe Morgan.

But I picked up FOTF DiMaggio, and play him in left, and this morning, I picked up FOTF Aaron.

Ted Williams is also a major surprise...he just doesn't hit here (SE 100 OVR). Using Ruth (SE 1923) as my everyday DH...and while he doesn't hit for average, his OBP is good, and OPS plus is outstanding.

My biggest surprise??

Just how bad my staff performs at Diamond. Randy Johnson (HL 100 OVR) just gets destroyed here. Same with Ed Walsh. Never would have suspected they couldn't hold their own at this level.

Definite learning curve.

How is your week (season) going?

Kyle M.

[KyleM]

Originally Posted by daves

So how are you doing at the Diamond level? I am sure you should have noticed the change in competition? Or maybe not?

I am currently in Diamond 351...

I learned a little about how the game engine calculates Contact ratings (I never would have guessed that BABIP...hidden from sight when evaluating ratings on basic player profile) was such a big factor.

I always looked at contact from both sides of the plate, and put a lot of emphasis on eye/discipline. Avoid K's rate was always a concern, but when evaluating certain players like Ruth, Williams, and Hornsby, I always sidestepped it because of the contact and eye discipline numbers.

I don't know for sure if this is certain, but it almost looks like eye/discipline don't factor into a players expected offensive performance.

Any thoughts, based on your experience?

Kyle

[mcdog512]

Hey Kyle, I agree Diamond is tough. I've got some coin saved up so may upgrade center field but it's a tough league.