(Virtual) Theo Epstein has lost his mind

Vermin360 · 04-02-2016, 06:40 PM

In one of my franchises, I am playing as manager-only with the Chicago Cubs, moving into the 2016 season. I have been at the mercy of Theo Epstein's decisions, and they have been a bit dubious in the past year. First he sent down Arismendy Alcantara, who was leading the league in stolen bases at the time. Then he refused to call up David Ross from AAA Iowa, who was hitting at close to double the clip of both Miguel Montero and Welington Castillo.

We finished the season at 81-81, missing the playoffs. That said, Pedro Strop finished with the most saves in Major League Baseball with 43. Our bullpen was a little suspect at times, blowing quality starts or helping erase runs we put up in our half of the inning. Here's the move that puzzles me...

Theo made a splash in the free agent pool by signing two more closers - Shawn Kelley and Jonathan Papelbon.

Now I'm in favour of a little competition around camp, but this seems a little excessive. Perhaps one will move to setup, to replace the struggling Hector Rondon. Another could be a short reliever, to fill the vacancy left when Jason Motte (my most reliable RP) bolted for free agency. Or maybe he's looking to use one of the three as trade bait for another move?

Has anybody had experience with the GM AI acquiring players only to deal them away in the short term? Both signings for me came in early January, and they are still on the roster as we enter the first week of February.

04-02-2016, 06:40 PM	#1
Vermin360 Major Leagues Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Posts: 405	(Virtual) Theo Epstein has lost his mind In one of my franchises, I am playing as manager-only with the Chicago Cubs, moving into the 2016 season. I have been at the mercy of Theo Epstein's decisions, and they have been a bit dubious in the past year. First he sent down Arismendy Alcantara, who was leading the league in stolen bases at the time. Then he refused to call up David Ross from AAA Iowa, who was hitting at close to double the clip of both Miguel Montero and Welington Castillo. We finished the season at 81-81, missing the playoffs. That said, Pedro Strop finished with the most saves in Major League Baseball with 43. Our bullpen was a little suspect at times, blowing quality starts or helping erase runs we put up in our half of the inning. Here's the move that puzzles me... Theo made a splash in the free agent pool by signing two more closers - Shawn Kelley and Jonathan Papelbon. Now I'm in favour of a little competition around camp, but this seems a little excessive. Perhaps one will move to setup, to replace the struggling Hector Rondon. Another could be a short reliever, to fill the vacancy left when Jason Motte (my most reliable RP) bolted for free agency. Or maybe he's looking to use one of the three as trade bait for another move? Has anybody had experience with the GM AI acquiring players only to deal them away in the short term? Both signings for me came in early January, and they are still on the roster as we enter the first week of February. __________________ FHM3-4 QMJHL Researcher OOTP 18-20 Beta Tester Manager, Chicago Cubs, 2015-2019 Manager, Oklahoma City Dodgers, 2016-2018 GM, Philadelphia Athletics, 1871-1872 GM, Detroit Red Wings, 1993-1994 Last edited by Vermin360; 04-02-2016 at 06:43 PM.