Suggestions for 24

[Syd Thrift]

Yes, I'm starting this a little early and so at least for now I/we should probably make sure to only put in stuff we are *sure* won't be in there for 23...

For starters, I'd really like to see separate command/control ratings for specific pitches in addition to Stuff, and total those up to come up with an overall Control rating instead of the way it's done now. Those might also vary from game to game - say, your curveball that you normally have command of isn't hitting the zone today so your control is lousy (as a stretch goal it would be cool to see pitchers/managers elect not to use pitches in-game when they find they can't control them, kind of the way pitchers tend to only use their top 2-3 pitches when going in relief but more dynamic; like in-game a guy might not realize his curve is not hitting the zone until he throws it a few times).

[Deft]

Originally Posted by Syd Thrift

Yes, I'm starting this a little early and so at least for now I/we should probably make sure to only put in stuff we are *sure* won't be in there for 23...

For starters, I'd really like to see separate command/control ratings for specific pitches in addition to Stuff, and total those up to come up with an overall Control rating instead of the way it's done now. Those might also vary from game to game - say, your curveball that you normally have command of isn't hitting the zone today so your control is lousy (as a stretch goal it would be cool to see pitchers/managers elect not to use pitches in-game when they find they can't control them, kind of the way pitchers tend to only use their top 2-3 pitches when going in relief but more dynamic; like in-game a guy might not realize his curve is not hitting the zone until he throws it a few times).

I think this is a fabulous recommendation, and would add stamina and injury prone ratings to the pitches themselves. A top speed fireballer will tire more with that pitch than a changeup. A curveball is more prone to injury than a knuckleball as well.

[David Watts]

I don't think this will be part of 23, but since it's my number one wish I will post it here.

Please make changes to the historical database, so I can create leagues using historical players, but have the league start with zero stats/history. I know I can erase history/stats now, but the problem is, players that missed the season/s that I create my league in will return with their full stat load. For example, if I create a league in 1921 and zero out all stats/history, the minute I get to the 1921 offseason, my historical leaderboard will be the Johnny Ever's show. Evers will have all his stats going back to 1902.

[Reed]

Instead of just a box score, would love to see something like a scoresheet. That would give you a much better sense of what happened in a game that you didn’t actually watch/play.

[BirdWatcher]

Originally Posted by Syd Thrift

Yes, I'm starting this a little early and so at least for now I/we should probably make sure to only put in stuff we are *sure* won't be in there for 23...

For starters, I'd really like to see separate command/control ratings for specific pitches in addition to Stuff, and total those up to come up with an overall Control rating instead of the way it's done now. Those might also vary from game to game - say, your curveball that you normally have command of isn't hitting the zone today so your control is lousy (as a stretch goal it would be cool to see pitchers/managers elect not to use pitches in-game when they find they can't control them, kind of the way pitchers tend to only use their top 2-3 pitches when going in relief but more dynamic; like in-game a guy might not realize his curve is not hitting the zone until he throws it a few times).

I really like these ideas.

[BrockPaperscissors]

Here are a few things that think could be helpful or fun.

Time saver: Auto-trade refusal - The AI is already judging trade proposals by giving you the Assistant GM’s opinion. Rank trade proposals on a 1-5 score based on AI’s opinion. Have 3’s,4’s or 5’s forwarded to email for review/discussion. 1’s & 2’s get auto refused by AI.

Time Saver: Auto game setup “lock” - If you play the same type of game that uses the same setup, add the ability to set it up once (team control, commissioner mode, gameplay control options, emails received, facegen controls... etc) and then lock it in a a preset that will always set up like that when chosen.

Additional detail: Head groundskeeper ratings - better rating means better playing surface. Groundskeeper can be instructed to have the infield packed hard or loose, wet or dry, grass cut long or short, to favor the home team’s speed or defensive quickness (or lack thereof).

Graphics: Steal home runs - seeing the outfielder jump at the fence and catch a potential HR.

Graphics: players charge the mound or teams clear the benches because of altercations on the field. Ejections or suspensions could follow.

Graphics: “Holy Toledo” sign on CF wall in Oakland.

Additional detail: Ramp-up - (spring training or after injury) ramping up playtime until fully healthy. Hands-on monitoring of how many innings/at bats a player gets to aid in preparing to return.

When playing out a game, and a player from the other team is traded, have the player pulled from the lineup and the narrator announce he has been traded.

Additional detail: Umpire ratings - rate umpire crews on accuracy and have it affect the chances of a blown call - which could lead to a replay check and a possible reversal.

[Syd Thrift]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the suggestions above are already in 23 so...

Another big thing I've noticed is that when you simulate leagues for an extended period of time, particularly when you have injuries turned up to the "realistic modern day" setting, older pitchers who threw a lot of innings when they were younger are almost never able to start as they get older. To some extent this *should* be rare but... it's not just that these guys wind up missing a couple months a year or whatever, it's that they suffer in-game injuries *so* often that, like, they can't even average 5 innings per start. And there's this perverse anti-incentive that because this pretty much always happens to workhorses, the only 35+ year old pitchers who can continue to start are ones who were crap when they were 25-30 years old.

There are a couple ways I'd love to see this fixed:

- Bill James once commented that virtually every pitcher in the league had at one point the talent to pitch well but most pitchers are either young/wild/not developed, are playing through an injury, or are coming back from one. The game handles *some* of this, like I do see permanent losses of Stuff in particular from long-term issues (in fact, there's a guy on a team right now whom I'm almost positive lost his control from a several-month injury). But some of it, maybe not as much?

- This may seem like anathema to those who want to have all data constantly available to them but I feel like some pitchers should have injuries that are not disclosed but simply cause them to underperform. At best perhaps you notice it by playing out the games and noticing a loss of velocity or it's part of a similar story. How often does it happen that a guy has a bad year and then it turns out he had an elbow injury? It's not even always "hiding" per se; a lot of the time it's hard to tell what's a real injury and what are normal everyday aches and pains. In any case, sometimes you just don't know until it exhibits in a bigger injury that requires a lot of time off, or they just underplay their shown ratings until you or happenstance choose to rest them.

- I *feel* like there ought to be some way to handle the chances of getting a catastrophic injury above and beyond prior ones. Some pitchers have motions that you can look at and just say "yeah, that's an injury waiting to happen". Other guys, well, they can pitch into

- I also feel like the biggest injury cause should be fatigue. You really ought to be able to manage one of those "Wrecked" guys by holding them to 100 pitches a start instead of watching them throw 120 one start and 40 before they get arm soreness in another. These guys might also be good candidates for hidden injuries that saps their stuff as well. But, for another real-life example, Nolan Ryan basically pitched the last decade and a half of his career under pitch limits, and yeah, his career did end with a catastrophic arm injury but he was also 47 when that happened. Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens somehow never got to "Wrecked" status (well, I guess we know how the Rocket avoided that). I just feel like there has to be some kind of built-in proneness that goes beyond injury history.

- The suggestion atop my suggestion about individual pitches having additional proneness chances is a good one, though here too it should probably differ by pitcher - Randy Johnson threw a hard slider throughout his career but that's often viewed as a somewhat dangerous pitch. Steve Stone kind of famously mortgaged the rest of his career in 1980 by throwing like 80% curves that year - he won the Cy Young but his entire post-1980 career consisted of one 4-7, 4.60 ERA season. I don't know that I necessarily want human players to be able to hugely micro what pitches a guy should be throwing, etc., but this would be a nice addition, at the least help tip off GMs as to what pitchers they might want to avoid.

[Galeg]

I'd love to assign a font color to shortlists.

[AlpineSK]

Deeper chemistry. Player meetings. The chance to bring players into the manager's office and discuss performance, and make promises.

Completely revamp the trade AI. It needs to take into account rivalries, team standings, and actual blueprints for a team's future.

Pitcher / Catcher chemistry. I want to have a pitcher who plays remarkably well with my backup catcher giving me a reason to marry my #1 or #2 starter to a guy who is a lower in the order hitter.

Scouting staff. I want to sit in a meeting and have two scouts tell me opposing views on a player. I want to be able to hire a retired player to comb the minor leagues for guys.

[MathBandit]

Originally Posted by AlpineSK

[Trade AI] needs to take into account rivalries

Hard pass, or the ability to turn it off please. I want the AI making the trades it thinks helps its team most, not worrying about nonsense like whether they're trading with a rival or a team from the other league.

If the Yankees bottom out in 2024 and decide to trade Judge, they should take the best package even if that comes from Boston or the Mets, not worry about who they trade with.

[AlpineSK]

Originally Posted by MathBandit

Hard pass, or the ability to turn it off please. I want the AI making the trades it thinks helps its team most, not worrying about nonsense like whether they're trading with a rival or a team from the other league.

If the Yankees bottom out in 2024 and decide to trade Judge, they should take the best package even if that comes from Boston or the Mets, not worry about who they trade with.

Sure, but if the Yankees and Red Sox are 1-2 in the AL East they shouldnt (and wouldnt) be trading players. Let's be real here.

[Torgonius]

Originally Posted by Reed

Instead of just a box score, would love to see something like a scoresheet. That would give you a much better sense of what happened in a game that you didn’t actually watch/play.

An interactive scoresheet that lets you jump to the highlight replay for that particular AB... or let's you click on an inning to see a replay of that half inning.

For people who don't want to see the actual replay, an option to have the text that the PbP guy would have said in a popup would also be neat.

[jaa36]

Really like your suggestions and the discussion in general.

Originally Posted by Syd Thrift

- This may seem like anathema to those who want to have all data constantly available to them but I feel like some pitchers should have injuries that are not disclosed but simply cause them to underperform. At best perhaps you notice it by playing out the games and noticing a loss of velocity or it's part of a similar story. How often does it happen that a guy has a bad year and then it turns out he had an elbow injury? It's not even always "hiding" per se; a lot of the time it's hard to tell what's a real injury and what are normal everyday aches and pains. In any case, sometimes you just don't know until it exhibits in a bigger injury that requires a lot of time off, or they just underplay their shown ratings until you or happenstance choose to rest them.

I've thought about this a lot as well. It feels pretty unrealistic that most position players are listed as OK and 100% rested most days, when probably everyone in MLB is dealing with some degree of nagging injury on any given day. One way to improve this would be to greatly increase the frequency and duration of day-to-day injuries, though in general I doubt that casual players would enjoy that much.

I also wonder if we should get any information at all about whether a player is "OK and 100% rested" at all- or if it should be hidden, or given in significantly more granular fashion. Like, "OK," "banged up," "a little sore," "tired," things like that. Seems unrealistic that one would know that a player is specifically 95% rested.

[AirmenSmith]

1. Steam Cloud saves
2. Cross play with OOTP Go
3. Contraction/relocation feature (Goodbye A's)
4. Agent relationships
5. Owner Mode
6. ITP Integration

[krownroyal83]

Maybe this exists already but to add to the immersion I'd love to see a list of players that go through process of arbitration. So on the date of arbitration you'll get a message and it will have a list of all players filing for arbitration and what their asking price is or what their rumoured asking price is as well as what the team is wanting to pay then I would like to see what the results of the arbitration cases are.

I don't follow the MLB too closely so I don't know how much of this info is disclosed in real life but it would be cool to see some transparency in the game. On a related note when you look on the salary page of a team and you see a player that is eligible for arbitration next year or the year after and you see something like 5 million as their salary. Where is that figure coming from? Is that how much the player expects to make that year?

[snarls200]

Originally Posted by AirmenSmith

1. Steam Cloud saves
2. Cross play with OOTP Go
3. Contraction/relocation feature (Goodbye A's)
4. Agent relationships
5. Owner Mode
6. ITP Integration

I wouldn't be surprised 2 takes awhile due to major features not in GO.

On 3 I thought the game already had ability for you to do both

What is 6 about?

[lightgrenade07]

#1 - The option to give the "Best Pitcher" award to multiple pitchers in a given year.

The Silver Slugger award already allows me to recognize enough of the best hitters to form a full lineup, #1-#9.

I'd like to be able to do the same for pitchers: recognize enough of the best pitchers to form a full rotation, #1-#5. (With the option to include or exclude relievers, as currently exists with the Cy Young award).

Of course, it makes sense to have the status quo as the default (1 Cy Young winner per league), but maybe if there were some slider or box where I could input some number from 1 to 5 winners?

#2 - A play-in game/play-in series for promotion/relegation leagues.

The idea here is that if you're the top team in the second-tier league, you don't automatically get a spot in the next league up. You have to earn that spot by showing you can beat that last-place team from the top league.

#3 - For fictional leagues, I wish there were a way for me to pre-program when the league expands, what the expansion teams are called, what their logos & ballparks are, etc., when & how pre-existing teams change their names and locations, and so on: e.g. "Team A will be in Boston in 1871, move to Atlanta in 1950."

As it is now, I do all these things piecemeal as I go from one season to the next. However, it would be nice if there were a way for me to set up my league history, and then just have the game make that happen. Set and forget.

#4 - I second AirmenSmith's call for an owner mode.

#5 - It would be interesting to have an umpire effect built into the game: depending on who's the umpire that night, maybe you'll have an ump who's more pitcher-friendly or more hitter-friendly, maybe the ump that night is fairly tolerant of players/managers discussing calls with him - or maybe he has a short fuse and it quick to throw you out of the game, etc etc

[OutS|der]

Originally Posted by MathBandit

Hard pass, or the ability to turn it off please. I want the AI making the trades it thinks helps its team most, not worrying about nonsense like whether they're trading with a rival or a team from the other league.

If the Yankees bottom out in 2024 and decide to trade Judge, they should take the best package even if that comes from Boston or the Mets, not worry about who they trade with.

But that’s not how it works in real life. For the Yankees to trade Judge to the Red Sox the offer would have be a lot more then any other team would offer.
Best package is one that’s helps your team out and also doesn’t help out your rivals.
How would they justify that? Yeah we traded Judge to Red Sox thereby helping them win a World Series but they offered us 50 million more then the next team.
That’s just plain stupid and pure nonsense.

[MathBandit]

Originally Posted by OutS|der

But that’s not how it works in real life. For the Yankees to trade Judge to the Red Sox the offer would have be a lot more then any other team would offer.
Best package is one that’s helps your team out and also doesn’t help out your rivals.
How would they justify that? Yeah we traded Judge to Red Sox thereby helping them win a World Series but they offered us 50 million more then the next team.
That’s just plain stupid and pure nonsense.

Who cares if the Red Sox win a World Series when the Yankees tear down their team for a rebuild? The goal should be for the Yankees to improve their team the most, not worry about who they are trading with (if they aren't contending for a division in this season).

[r0nster]

Would love to see my solo have a feature where we can negotiate with city state to build new stadium with x number of seats then build distance to fences or reject cities such offers then threaten to move or stay and take offer then workout the financial details. Been suggesting this off and on over the years