Expansion: Stocking minors

[chriskelly]

how do you guys stock your minors systems when doing an expansion? I'm trying to avoid filling with fictional players, but I also don't want the "not enough players on XX roster", or having guys develop funny because I have the wrong number of planers at their level.

Another question.....I don't get when my transaction report suggests I move a player up or down, and I hit "let computer manage minor league system".....why isn't that player moved down the recommended level?

[Klew1986]

I usually just sign a ton of minor league players via FA. Most of them won't be good, but it's just temporary until you get a few years into your leagues history and start seeing your drafted players develop.

[Rockfan616]

That's what I would do too, sign a bunch of minor leaguers who are FA's in the offseason and then see what happens after you've had a couple of drafts under your belt.

[Cinnamon J. Scudworth]

Originally Posted by chriskelly

Another question.....I don't get when my transaction report suggests I move a player up or down, and I hit "let computer manage minor league system".....why isn't that player moved down the recommended level?

The minor league report is one thing, but when it comes to actually moving players up and down I believe the AI also factors in recent performance, other prospects who may be blocking him, etc.

[rferry]

The Marlins, Rockies, Rays and DBacks had draft picks and minor league affiliates before their inaugural seasons. (Blue Jays and Mariners didn't, but they may have utilized co-op affiliates.)

So if you were planning the expansion in advance, it would be more authentic to make a few unaffiliated minor league clubs 2 years before. Stock them with leftover draft prospects or a manual draft of other clubs' draft picks or create additional prospects. Then when the expansion clubs are created, affiliate the minor league clubs.

Even without planning, you could prepare a manual draft of minor league rosters to replicate the effect.

[Tekneek]

Originally Posted by rferry

So if you were planning the expansion in advance, it would be more authentic to make a few unaffiliated minor league clubs 2 years before. Stock them with leftover draft prospects or a manual draft of other clubs' draft picks or create additional prospects. Then when the expansion clubs are created, affiliate the minor league clubs.

This is something I try to do. Create the minor league affiliates the year before and sign enough guys to minor league contracts to fill up the squads.

[Walpeezy]

you could always do a longer expansion draft. i do about 150 rounds or so.