Player Wants Trade b/c of playing time despite starting 95% of games? - Page 2

PSUColonel · 02-09-2023, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOTP Rookie

I use a few house rules to compensate for the inherent weaknesses of the AI.

Waiver Wire: I never put in a claim. If I see a player on waivers that I'd like to have, I have to trade for him. Unfortunately, often when I click on "Make this work now", it turns out that "You have no player who makes this deal work". Yeah, okay. But the player is on waivers!?!?!

Free Agents: If I see that a team released a decent (to often very good) young player, I will manually place him back into that organization. I won't sign one of these players who realistically should never have been let go.

Roster Management: Once the offseason starts, I go through the AI teams and release scrubs and over-the-hill veterans that are taking up valuable 40-man roster spots or who are clogging up AAA and AA.

Rule 5 Draft: If I see a talented young player exposed, I'll look at his teams 40-man roster to see why he isn't protected. For some reason, the AI seems to almost always have the 40-man roster at full capacity going into the offseason. But there will usually be a large number of scrubs and over-the-hill veterans clogging up the 40. If I see something like that, I make the necessary changes so that the team won't unnecessarily lose a prospect.

I do these things to give the AI a fighting chance and to keep the game somewhat challenging.

I'm curious to see how the developers will address some of these issues in the upcoming release.

Simply put these are rules you should not have to implement IMO. If you have good settings to start with. This really is not necessary.

OOTP Rookie · 02-09-2023, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSUColonel

Simply put these are rules you should not have to implement IMO. If you have good settings to start with. This really is not necessary.

I agree, Colonel.

However, despite its shortcomings when it comes to GM-play, OOTP is still King of the Hill. Simply because there's nothing comparable out there.

Yes, it would be fabulous if the developers found the time and/or inclination to fix these oft-mentioned pesky issues around AI roster management - as well as the financial system (or lack thereof).

I'm sure they are doing the best they can with the resources available to them. Markus and the Team have created an immensely enjoyable game. There's still room for improvement, though. And those aspects should be respectfully pointed out. You have been doing that for a while, from what I can see. Others have done so in a contentious and inflammatory fashion, which was and is unacceptable.

I'm rambling on here.

I can't quite find the words, I'm afraid.

OOTP is a wonderful creation, a magical game that keeps pulling me in - DESPITE those aforementioned imperfections. For me, that's the highest praise that I can offer.

Brushback101 · 02-09-2023, 08:34 AM

Like Rookie, I find the game to be a "wonderful creation". Of course there are shortcomings and I'd be dishonest to say I haven't occasionally cursed some of the AI's decisions. But, in the big picture, OOTP does a tremendous job of recreating a baseball universe and I sometimes look at some of these imperfections as anomalies rather than "failures" (for lack of a better word) in the program. I've even made some of the same "corrections".

I believe most outside the IT world lack a real understanding of the complexity of the software they use. When one considers how complex this game is, it's not so hard to deal with the flaws. Naturally, they shouldn't be simply dismissed but there's a difference between pointing them out and complaining about them. Bottom line for me, the game is indeed "magical" and takes up more of my time than my wife would like....

Brushback101 · 02-09-2023, 08:35 AM

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PSUColonel · 02-09-2023, 09:00 AM

Well, the point I was trying to make, is if you have your AI evaluation setup to 65/20/10/5 and if you make sure your trade difficulty is the most difficult it can be, and if you abide by the instructions for roster sizes in the lowest level of minor leagues, then a lot of what he is doing is probably not necessary.

There is no doubt the AI can and will always improve, but I also feel that a lot of times settings can be the reason for many of the AI failures people see. Again, if people are constantly changing the settings, then I feel the game can react to this "hodgepodge" of variables in strange ways.

It flat out tells you not to go below 35 players at the rookie level, yet some people still try to. The best bet on rookie levels is likely to have more players. Either unlimited or 35 at the bear minimum. I find 35 works pretty well, but not as well as unlimited. So the rule of thumb here is, the more, the better. Even if it's 45 players, that's better than 35.

The AI needs to rely on ratings much more than stats. This is a big one IMO. For some reason the stat heads around here like to manipulate the AI settings number to the point where ratings are a fraction of what they should/need to be. I get that it's an editable option and that in some people' minds they want stats to be the predominant factor in player evaluation, but the reality is that the AI needs ratings of at least 65 to operate competently. I have tried every combination I can think of in the past..the absolute lowest I would go for ratings is 55, but I seriously think the default of 65 is where it needs to be. Stats are driven from ratings, not the other way around, therefore ratings are a much better way for the AI to evaluate players in the long term.

This will prevent a myriad of issues I hear about a lot. Waiver wire decisions are one of them. If you use these settings, you will likely not see players' on waivers that shouldn't be there. Now, that's not to say the AI shouldn't be more aggressive when claiming players (it needs to be) but at least you won't be seeing high potential players sitting there ready for you to claim.

Having high ratings evaluation also helps with other transactions such as trading (combined with the most difficult trading setting). Making it so that you cannot easily fleece the AI is another important factor. This might make it unreasonably difficult to conduct mundane trades where you are just looking for a MR pitcher, but it's better than the other way around if you ask me. In fact, you can still get fair trades done, you just have to work at it much harder.

I think much of the same goes for the Rule 5 draft, 40 man, and free agents. Again, that is not to say these areas can't be seriously improved, because they DO need to be, but I think you will notice much less "odd" activity if you make sure you are using the default AI evaluation settings.

I would also combine all of this with 200 TCR, and then I feel the game is playable, but yes, it still needs a lot of work. I have said it in the past and I will say it again here, the sheer number of settings and how they interact with each other, to me, is a problem more than a luxury. There is no way to know how the AI might behave with so many variables...therefore I feel "less is more" and follow by the "Keep it Simple Stupid" motto.

OOTP Rookie · 02-09-2023, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSUColonel

The AI needs to rely on ratings much more than stats. Stats are driven from ratings, not the other way around, therefore ratings are a much better way for the AI to evaluate players in the long term.

I play with 100% ratings, favor prospects, and trade difficulty one click below the hardest.

TCR is set at 150.

Roster sizes:

27: AAA and AA
28: A+
30: A
50: R

Before and after the season, scouting is set to 100% accurate. Otherwise, it's set at "normal".

That's why I'm surprised to see the AI release or waive good young players in the offseason - or to not protect good young players (3 stars and above) for the Rule 5 draft. All the settings that I have control over would indicate that the AI SHOULD highly value young players. But instead, as I mentioned before, scrubs and over-the-hill veterans clog up the organization.

No problem, I can fix these things. Yes, it would be great if the AI could figure it out on its own. Maybe one day we will have that.

PSUColonel · 02-09-2023, 09:30 AM

I would actually use neutral...the AI already over values prospects too much, and to have it do so more is not a good idea IMO. This setting only affects trading though. I would just go with default when and where I can. Trade difficulty and TCR are the only exceptions for me.

My other change is with roster sizes (which I get) your should be OK I would think.

EDIT: As far as the scrubs go...teams' do need organizational players even if they have no hope of making it to MLB. The truth is, there may just not be enough players available to play at every level...also, if the AI wants to win on some level in the minors, it may be necessary to have some of these types of players around.

The issue for me though, is when you have players like this hanging around in lieu of others with much better potential who might be just sitting in FA.

I feel the AI needs to get much more aggressive with waivers, FA, staff and Rule 5. The AI seems passive when it comes to these areas for some reason. Also...the trading block I'd say.

OOTP Rookie · 02-09-2023, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSUColonel

I feel the AI needs to get much more aggressive with waivers, FA, staff and Rule 5. The AI seems passive when it comes to these areas for some reason. Also...the trading block I'd say.

Yes, 100% agree.

Appreciate your input, Colonel.

I'm relatively new to the game and have learned a lot from your posts.

02-09-2023, 08:35 AM	#24
Brushback101 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Pennsylvania USA Posts: 20	. Last edited by Brushback101; 02-09-2023 at 08:41 AM.

02-09-2023, 09:00 AM	#25
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 13,104	Well, the point I was trying to make, is if you have your AI evaluation setup to 65/20/10/5 and if you make sure your trade difficulty is the most difficult it can be, and if you abide by the instructions for roster sizes in the lowest level of minor leagues, then a lot of what he is doing is probably not necessary. There is no doubt the AI can and will always improve, but I also feel that a lot of times settings can be the reason for many of the AI failures people see. Again, if people are constantly changing the settings, then I feel the game can react to this "hodgepodge" of variables in strange ways. It flat out tells you not to go below 35 players at the rookie level, yet some people still try to. The best bet on rookie levels is likely to have more players. Either unlimited or 35 at the bear minimum. I find 35 works pretty well, but not as well as unlimited. So the rule of thumb here is, the more, the better. Even if it's 45 players, that's better than 35. The AI needs to rely on ratings much more than stats. This is a big one IMO. For some reason the stat heads around here like to manipulate the AI settings number to the point where ratings are a fraction of what they should/need to be. I get that it's an editable option and that in some people' minds they want stats to be the predominant factor in player evaluation, but the reality is that the AI needs ratings of at least 65 to operate competently. I have tried every combination I can think of in the past..the absolute lowest I would go for ratings is 55, but I seriously think the default of 65 is where it needs to be. Stats are driven from ratings, not the other way around, therefore ratings are a much better way for the AI to evaluate players in the long term. This will prevent a myriad of issues I hear about a lot. Waiver wire decisions are one of them. If you use these settings, you will likely not see players' on waivers that shouldn't be there. Now, that's not to say the AI shouldn't be more aggressive when claiming players (it needs to be) but at least you won't be seeing high potential players sitting there ready for you to claim. Having high ratings evaluation also helps with other transactions such as trading (combined with the most difficult trading setting). Making it so that you cannot easily fleece the AI is another important factor. This might make it unreasonably difficult to conduct mundane trades where you are just looking for a MR pitcher, but it's better than the other way around if you ask me. In fact, you can still get fair trades done, you just have to work at it much harder. I think much of the same goes for the Rule 5 draft, 40 man, and free agents. Again, that is not to say these areas can't be seriously improved, because they DO need to be, but I think you will notice much less "odd" activity if you make sure you are using the default AI evaluation settings. I would also combine all of this with 200 TCR, and then I feel the game is playable, but yes, it still needs a lot of work. I have said it in the past and I will say it again here, the sheer number of settings and how they interact with each other, to me, is a problem more than a luxury. There is no way to know how the AI might behave with so many variables...therefore I feel "less is more" and follow by the "Keep it Simple Stupid" motto. Last edited by PSUColonel; 02-09-2023 at 09:01 AM.

02-09-2023, 09:30 AM	#27
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 13,104	I would actually use neutral...the AI already over values prospects too much, and to have it do so more is not a good idea IMO. This setting only affects trading though. I would just go with default when and where I can. Trade difficulty and TCR are the only exceptions for me. My other change is with roster sizes (which I get) your should be OK I would think. EDIT: As far as the scrubs go...teams' do need organizational players even if they have no hope of making it to MLB. The truth is, there may just not be enough players available to play at every level...also, if the AI wants to win on some level in the minors, it may be necessary to have some of these types of players around. The issue for me though, is when you have players like this hanging around in lieu of others with much better potential who might be just sitting in FA. I feel the AI needs to get much more aggressive with waivers, FA, staff and Rule 5. The AI seems passive when it comes to these areas for some reason. Also...the trading block I'd say. Last edited by PSUColonel; 02-09-2023 at 09:34 AM.

02-09-2023, 08:34 AM	#23
Brushback101 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Pennsylvania USA Posts: 20	Like Rookie, I find the game to be a "wonderful creation". Of course there are shortcomings and I'd be dishonest to say I haven't occasionally cursed some of the AI's decisions. But, in the big picture, OOTP does a tremendous job of recreating a baseball universe and I sometimes look at some of these imperfections as anomalies rather than "failures" (for lack of a better word) in the program. I've even made some of the same "corrections". I believe most outside the IT world lack a real understanding of the complexity of the software they use. When one considers how complex this game is, it's not so hard to deal with the flaws. Naturally, they shouldn't be simply dismissed but there's a difference between pointing them out and complaining about them. Bottom line for me, the game is indeed "magical" and takes up more of my time than my wife would like....