Dealing with players' slumps

McGuiser · 08-07-2014, 06:09 PM

I'm looking for the best way to deal with a player who has gone "cold."

Sometimes these slumps seem to go on all season (and into the offseason!).

In my imperfectly observed experience, sending a player to the minors does not help. Benching the player does not seem to help.

So, any advice?

TFJO · 08-13-2014, 01:08 PM

In my experience, the slump is only cleared with playing time. So if you bench a guy, he'll remain 'cold' until you give him (I assume) enough at-bats to get him out of the slump.

McGuiser · 08-13-2014, 03:29 PM

Well, that is bad news, at least for a team in a tight pennant race. Perhaps in the future the developers can tweak this so that slumping players, at least younger players, might get straightened out during a stint in the minors.

paul.m.w. · 08-13-2014, 09:39 PM

Try playing him in a different slot in the line up. Or if he plays another position change his main -set- position...

McGuiser · 08-13-2014, 11:57 PM

I will give this a try.

ricealum · 11-04-2014, 01:30 PM

Hot and cold streaks only change with playing time -- not even injuries will affect them. You just have to ride them out.

One other suggestion: look at their L/R splits and adjust their starting frequency in the depth charts to get more ABs against the pitchers they do better against.

Walkoffman · 11-04-2014, 03:53 PM

My approach:

Position players:
1. Bench for a game. Many star players snap out of it.
2. If slump persists, limit exposure: bat at bottom of the order, use subs in tight games.
3. Manage matchups: play against weaker pitching, rest against stronger.
4. If slump is long, consider a role change, especially if dissatisfied with current role
5. Trade as last resort.

Pitchers:
1. If SP, hook early from ballgames you are still in.
2. Consider bullpen assignment if slump is long (if ratings improve when you switch role from SP to MR, could be a long-term move).
3. If MR, use for "mop-up" on losing or winning end of blowouts.

The scariest slumps are the ones that don't display the "cold" symbol - could mean player is overmatched. Roster move time.

08-07-2014, 06:09 PM	#1
McGuiser Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 363	Dealing with players' slumps I'm looking for the best way to deal with a player who has gone "cold." Sometimes these slumps seem to go on all season (and into the offseason!). In my imperfectly observed experience, sending a player to the minors does not help. Benching the player does not seem to help. So, any advice?

08-13-2014, 09:39 PM	#4
paul.m.w. Major Leagues Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 417	Dealing with players' slumps Try playing him in a different slot in the line up. Or if he plays another position change his main -set- position... __________________ Using Tapatalk

08-13-2014, 11:57 PM	#5
McGuiser Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 363	Thanks for the tip I will give this a try.

08-13-2014, 01:08 PM	#2
TFJO Bat Boy Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 9	In my experience, the slump is only cleared with playing time. So if you bench a guy, he'll remain 'cold' until you give him (I assume) enough at-bats to get him out of the slump.

08-13-2014, 03:29 PM	#3
McGuiser Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 363	Well, that is bad news, at least for a team in a tight pennant race. Perhaps in the future the developers can tweak this so that slumping players, at least younger players, might get straightened out during a stint in the minors.

11-04-2014, 01:30 PM	#6
ricealum Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 129	Hot and cold streaks only change with playing time -- not even injuries will affect them. You just have to ride them out. One other suggestion: look at their L/R splits and adjust their starting frequency in the depth charts to get more ABs against the pitchers they do better against.

11-04-2014, 03:53 PM	#7
Walkoffman Minors (Single A) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 60	My approach: Position players: 1. Bench for a game. Many star players snap out of it. 2. If slump persists, limit exposure: bat at bottom of the order, use subs in tight games. 3. Manage matchups: play against weaker pitching, rest against stronger. 4. If slump is long, consider a role change, especially if dissatisfied with current role 5. Trade as last resort. Pitchers: 1. If SP, hook early from ballgames you are still in. 2. Consider bullpen assignment if slump is long (if ratings improve when you switch role from SP to MR, could be a long-term move). 3. If MR, use for "mop-up" on losing or winning end of blowouts. The scariest slumps are the ones that don't display the "cold" symbol - could mean player is overmatched. Roster move time.