International Free Agents

[jcmurr]

Does anyone put their big international signings in AAA to start off the season after spring training for a short period to acclimate? Or do you stick them in your MLB roster right away?

I’ve noticed the AI teams put a couple big signings (3-4 star) in AAA; and I have had very poor success in several saves to get the production I expected out of them. Typically with hitters, their AVG/OBP aren’t where their ratings would indicate.

I’ve hesitated to even stop signing these big international FAs because it’s gotten so out-of-hand.

Any help?

[Dorfmann]

Originally Posted by jcmurr

Does anyone put their big international signings in AAA to start off the season after spring training for a short period to acclimate? Or do you stick them in your MLB roster right away?

I’ve noticed the AI teams put a couple big signings (3-4 star) in AAA; and I have had very poor success in several saves to get the production I expected out of them. Typically with hitters, their AVG/OBP aren’t where their ratings would indicate.

I’ve hesitated to even stop signing these big international FAs because it’s gotten so out-of-hand.

Any help?

I've never had an issue with putting them on the MLB roster right away. Granted, I've only ever signed two of them, but both performed really well - even better than I anticipated.

[CurlyKarkovice]

My experience is from '19 game version mostly but I've had a couple great signings in a 20 year league (one closer and one SP who won Cy Young) but most of them under perform their ratings abilities (could be my poor scouting). The most likely successful players that live up to scouting expectations seem to be relievers and you can wait and get them well below their initial demand in January.

To me, AAA for a month is a good idea no matter how high the ratings are because I have seen over 30 year-old international free agents start poor in MLB and their overall ratings fall 10 points immediately and more the following season. So I stay away from Intl free agents who are over 31 years old unless their demand is very low and work ethic very high. High work ethic for any player of any age imo.

[jcmurr]

Just to clarify, this problem is mostly isolated to hitters.

[jimmysthebestcop]

Your talking about randomly generated experienced international free agents?

I don't play with random ones only real ones from all the int leagues in my universe.

So you get all their stats from that league and can judge where they are to mlb.

[jcmurr]

Yes - exactly. I’m talking about the random ones.

[jimmysthebestcop]

Originally Posted by jcmurr

Yes - exactly. I’m talking about the random ones.

I had a feeling. You don't know because you don't get stats. It's all random. If entirely up to your scout. You can't tell if they are declining or anything. Just there age. Is he 27 and declining? Can't tell. Oh he is 5 star potential at 24. Did he reach it or is he a year away? Can't tell.

I switched to full universe. All ints, minors, Indy's. Take off all random generated experienced free agents. Only leave random int amateurs and discoveries on cause they stream 16-18.

Then when there are free agents they all have stats only way to really judge a 8 year int Japanese players who is 27 asking for a 10 year 30 mil per year deal.

You do have to turn finances on for Cuba allow them zero international players. To get them to go to free agency. I forget if it's 6 or 9 years for Cuba in real life.