Q&A: Should you construct your lineup first or your depth charts?

[kq76]

Q: Should you construct your lineup first or your depth charts?

A: You could do either, but I'd recommend deciding on who your starters are first, then your lineup, and then your depth chart.

You can also make use of the Actions dropdown. For example, once I select my starters and lineup, I select "Generate depth chart versus..." as I don't care much about how my depth chart is constructed.

I'd definitely recommend making use of the Custom Lineups pulldown to save lineups. For example, I'll save "vR" and "vL" lineups (based on opposing pitcher handedness), but then if a key player is injured I'll save further lineups like "vR w/o Player X".

[Guthrien]

I'm a big believer in establishing starters and then using the 'generate depth chart based on lineups' option. It's far easier to tweak from there if they've 50/50 your franchise catcher with your defensive scrub backup.

[uruguru]

Originally Posted by Guthrien

I'm a big believer in establishing starters and then using the 'generate depth chart based on lineups' option. It's far easier to tweak from there if they've 50/50 your franchise catcher with your defensive scrub backup.

If you set the Game Strategy for your starters to set their starting position, then the AI will always start them until they need a rest. The backup will always say "If Starter Tired"

[Pelican]

My approach is to use the screen that shows lineups against RHP and LHP to set my starters. I like to platoon, so there will be differences. Only then do I go to the depth chart. If the reserve is close in ability (and I am not planning to manage every game) I may set them to play every third or second game, to spread PT around. For the stars, with good durability, the reserve is used "if player tired" only. Or maybe every seventeenth game?

[mytreds]

Depths charts then lineup. Halfway through the season I’ll begin to tinker with lineups.

[NoOne]

When it comes to teams that can win a WS, there's not much choice beyond musical chairs of the regular starters and keeping them rested.

and, for teams that aren't that good, it's just rolling the dice between two poor options most of the time. So, nothing to fret over too much.

I definitely make my best lineup for RHP and LHP, first.. Depth are players that fill specific roles on good teams. they rarely justify sharing playing time.

you can only have so many platoons and it's just not financially responsible to have tens of millions of dollars and more on the bench.

On teams i care about, the bench has speedy defensive players. I want them starting as minimally as possible. My replacement depth is at AAA - hopefully a prospect that could get good bump from a little ML service time or at least someone with a little power potential / useful bat.

Paying a bunch of part time players big money on the bench only reduces overall potential of the team. Money is like oil for an engine, not fuel. There's a set amount and it needs to be distributed optimally. So, my bench isn't much of a choice and more of a fixed thing.

[thehef]

How I do it...

1. "Ask Bench Coach for Depth Chart & Lineup versus RHP" - gives me a starting point based upon the bench coach's recommendation

2. In the Depth Chart, make any changes to who I want the starters to be at each position... this sets my starting 8 (or 9)

3. "Ask Bench Coach for Lineup vs RHP" (which really means "Ask for the batting order based on this depth chart")... this sets the batting order based upon who I want to start

4. "Generate Depth Chart versus RHP based on this lineup" - this reworks the depth chart after my changes in 2 & 3

5. In the Depth Chart, make any changes to whom I want the backups to be at each position, how often/when they should start, etc... this is also where/when I would setup any platoons vs the same-handed pitcher; for example, if two guys basically split time at 2B against righties...)

6. Repeat for ... vs LHP

I don't think the above is in conflict with anything else posted here. I think this is basically the longer answer to:

Originally Posted by kq76

I'd recommend deciding on who your starters are first, then your lineup, and then your depth chart.

[snepp]

Originally Posted by thehef

How I do it...

1. "Ask Bench Coach for Depth Chart & Lineup versus RHP" - gives me a starting point based upon the bench coach's recommendation

2. In the Depth Chart, make any changes to who I want the starters to be at each position... this sets my starting 8 (or 9)

3. "Ask Bench Coach for Lineup vs RHP" (which really means "Ask for the batting order based on this depth chart")... this sets the batting order based upon who I want to start

4. "Generate Depth Chart versus RHP based on this lineup" - this reworks the depth chart after my changes in 2 & 3

5. In the Depth Chart, make any changes to whom I want the backups to be at each position, how often/when they should start, etc... this is also where/when I would setup any platoons vs the same-handed pitcher; for example, if two guys basically split time at 2B against righties...)

6. Repeat for ... vs LHP

I don't think the above is in conflict with anything else posted here. I think this is basically the longer answer to:

That's almost exactly what I do, only difference being I don't bother to repeat it for LHP. I'll generally just let the bench coach do whatever they want there unless I really disagree with something.

[Curve Ball Dave]

This is just me, I respect if others do it differently. I set my starting lineups first then ask the AI manager to set the depth charts. From there I make changes to the depth charts to my preferences if I have any disagreements with the manager.