Players on Waivers

Highlander · 03-11-2026, 07:05 PM

This is always a controversial issue....are the guys that get put on waivers "realistic"? On one hand we have to remember the game doesn't know who the players "really are" and makes decisions on player movement based on other factors than things we may know. On the other hand, we want realism and want the AI to do things that make sense to us. I have my first waiver move in the 2026 sim I am doing that puts this to the test.

The Pirates just put Brandon Lowe on waivers. From a strict game standpoint, it makes a little sense I guess. He's only a 2.5 star guy who is making 11+ million on a team that always had budget issues. They moved Horwitz to 2nd (terrible defender there though), moved Ozuna back to DH (he was even worse on defense in LF) and put Dominic Fletcher in LF....better glove but a so-so bat. Definitely cheaper than Lowe. As far as realism, however, Lowe was a major acquisition for the Pirates this off season and is expected to be a big power bat along with Ozuna to upgrade their lineup. There is no way they are putting him on waivers a few days into the season....it's April 2nd in my sim. The Angels have put in a claim and will probably end up with Lowe.

I didn't want to put this in the Tech/Bugs section since calling it a bug is subjective, but I wanted to point it out....I am sure others will see more. Not sure the answer here....either way it seems strange to give up on a player who is a solid defender at 2B, a good hitter and one of the top power guys on your team. Not saying it would never happen, but it definitely pushes the envelope. Add in what we know about Lowe that the game doesn't and it really makes it hard to swallow.

Baconi · 03-11-2026, 08:13 PM

I feel like the AI should have some sort of sunk cost fallacy built in. Like you shouldn’t really see AI teams trading or waiving players that they just signed to FA contracts, trade players they just signed to extensions, etc. Like there may be things going on with how they evaluate players and rosters so that it makes sense to the AI but isn’t realistic at all. And of course it’s particularly bad at the beginning of real MLB saves where the AI has a different view of the player and roster than the GM in real life.

PSUColonel · 03-11-2026, 08:26 PM

I agree with the “perception” of players we all know..but ratings, salary and options along with stats are what we should be evaluating. Just say player x or player y and then look under the hood.

millhousebc · 03-11-2026, 08:34 PM

Curious on what the Pirates settings are at? Rebuilding, neutral? Maybe bump up the owner's willingness to spend, as they try to field a team around Skenes.

Highlander · 03-12-2026, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millhousebc

Curious on what the Pirates settings are at? Rebuilding, neutral? Maybe bump up the owner's willingness to spend, as they try to field a team around Skenes.

Current focus is "Neutral".

03-11-2026, 07:05 PM	#1
Highlander All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,046	Players on Waivers This is always a controversial issue....are the guys that get put on waivers "realistic"? On one hand we have to remember the game doesn't know who the players "really are" and makes decisions on player movement based on other factors than things we may know. On the other hand, we want realism and want the AI to do things that make sense to us. I have my first waiver move in the 2026 sim I am doing that puts this to the test. The Pirates just put Brandon Lowe on waivers. From a strict game standpoint, it makes a little sense I guess. He's only a 2.5 star guy who is making 11+ million on a team that always had budget issues. They moved Horwitz to 2nd (terrible defender there though), moved Ozuna back to DH (he was even worse on defense in LF) and put Dominic Fletcher in LF....better glove but a so-so bat. Definitely cheaper than Lowe. As far as realism, however, Lowe was a major acquisition for the Pirates this off season and is expected to be a big power bat along with Ozuna to upgrade their lineup. There is no way they are putting him on waivers a few days into the season....it's April 2nd in my sim. The Angels have put in a claim and will probably end up with Lowe. I didn't want to put this in the Tech/Bugs section since calling it a bug is subjective, but I wanted to point it out....I am sure others will see more. Not sure the answer here....either way it seems strange to give up on a player who is a solid defender at 2B, a good hitter and one of the top power guys on your team. Not saying it would never happen, but it definitely pushes the envelope. Add in what we know about Lowe that the game doesn't and it really makes it hard to swallow. __________________ "The baseball mania has run its course. It has no future as a professional endeavor." — Cincinnati Gazette editorial, 1879

03-11-2026, 08:13 PM	#2
Baconi Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 260	I feel like the AI should have some sort of sunk cost fallacy built in. Like you shouldn’t really see AI teams trading or waiving players that they just signed to FA contracts, trade players they just signed to extensions, etc. Like there may be things going on with how they evaluate players and rosters so that it makes sense to the AI but isn’t realistic at all. And of course it’s particularly bad at the beginning of real MLB saves where the AI has a different view of the player and roster than the GM in real life.

03-11-2026, 08:26 PM	#3
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 13,143	I agree with the “perception” of players we all know..but ratings, salary and options along with stats are what we should be evaluating. Just say player x or player y and then look under the hood.

03-11-2026, 08:34 PM	#4
millhousebc Major Leagues Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 340	Curious on what the Pirates settings are at? Rebuilding, neutral? Maybe bump up the owner's willingness to spend, as they try to field a team around Skenes.