"Change of Scenery"

Padreman · 10-26-2014, 02:06 PM

Does the game take into account "Change of Scenery"? I ask because I noticed some players play better once traded. It happen to me today with two. So 5 seasons ago I sighed the too free-agent SP he was 24 and I signed him for 7 seasons. Well my team was solid, winning seasons. But this pitcher has never posted a winning season. His best ERA was 3.89. But I traded him on July 2 and the end of the season I checked what he did with his new team he was 8-1 with 1.39 ERA I was like WTF.

I also traded a young catcher with him. This kid I drafted him made him my starting catcher right away. Had great ratings and his potential was awesome. His best seasons with me after 5 seasons was .232 BA with 7 home runs and 49 RBI once I traded him for his new team he batted .349 BA, 9 home runs and 31 RBI again I was like wtf. That's why I ask does the game take into account "Change of Scenery".

jazzrack · 10-27-2014, 12:23 PM

I would doubt that there is a "change of scenery" code of some sort. but you are changing at least some of the underlying factors of the performance/development equations. so while a change of performance is unpredictable it wouldn't really be all that unexpected.

BIG17EASY · 10-27-2014, 12:45 PM

What jazzrack said. There are some underlying things with personality that can possibly cause a player to perform better/worse after a trade. Such as a player with a high desire to win who is traded to a contender COULD start to play better. But I agree that there's likely nothing directly related to a simple "change of scenery."

BradC · 10-27-2014, 04:05 PM

There's no "change of scenery" code, but as Big Easy said, the player's morale can change. Also, ballpark parameters can make a difference -- for example, a pitcher moving from a hitter-friendly park to a pitcher-friendly one.

Admittedly, neither of those things will produce the swings you're describing, but you're also looking at a small sample size: two players, and you're looking at a very small amount of playing time for their new teams vs. the several years each of them had with you. It's very possible they'll both revert to the mean once they play full seasons next year with their new teams.

10-26-2014, 02:06 PM	#1
Padreman Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (formally San Diego, CA.) Posts: 4,140 Blog Entries: 1	"Change of Scenery" Does the game take into account "Change of Scenery"? I ask because I noticed some players play better once traded. It happen to me today with two. So 5 seasons ago I sighed the too free-agent SP he was 24 and I signed him for 7 seasons. Well my team was solid, winning seasons. But this pitcher has never posted a winning season. His best ERA was 3.89. But I traded him on July 2 and the end of the season I checked what he did with his new team he was 8-1 with 1.39 ERA I was like WTF. I also traded a young catcher with him. This kid I drafted him made him my starting catcher right away. Had great ratings and his potential was awesome. His best seasons with me after 5 seasons was .232 BA with 7 home runs and 49 RBI once I traded him for his new team he batted .349 BA, 9 home runs and 31 RBI again I was like wtf. That's why I ask does the game take into account "Change of Scenery". __________________ Chargers= Despicable Traitors

10-27-2014, 12:23 PM	#2
jazzrack Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: still kicking Posts: 3,229 Blog Entries: 25	I would doubt that there is a "change of scenery" code of some sort. but you are changing at least some of the underlying factors of the performance/development equations. so while a change of performance is unpredictable it wouldn't really be all that unexpected. __________________ . "Never confuse composure for ease" Was once Head Cheese of Corporate League Baseball

10-27-2014, 12:45 PM	#3
BIG17EASY Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,291	What jazzrack said. There are some underlying things with personality that can possibly cause a player to perform better/worse after a trade. Such as a player with a high desire to win who is traded to a contender COULD start to play better. But I agree that there's likely nothing directly related to a simple "change of scenery."

10-27-2014, 04:05 PM	#4
BradC All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: northern CA Posts: 1,870 Blog Entries: 1	There's no "change of scenery" code, but as Big Easy said, the player's morale can change. Also, ballpark parameters can make a difference -- for example, a pitcher moving from a hitter-friendly park to a pitcher-friendly one. Admittedly, neither of those things will produce the swings you're describing, but you're also looking at a small sample size: two players, and you're looking at a very small amount of playing time for their new teams vs. the several years each of them had with you. It's very possible they'll both revert to the mean once they play full seasons next year with their new teams.