Various ways of building one's team

Libid21 · 12-10-2010, 03:07 PM

I know there are strategies out there for building a championship caliber baseball team. And all I'd like you to do is share your blueprints with us! Do you guys build through pitching and defense? Or offense and speed? Perhaps a mixture of both? ... If you build through pitchers, do you prefer ground ball pitchers, strike out pitchers, or what? ... Whether cost-efficient or not, share your blueprints here!

kev24fan · 12-10-2010, 03:42 PM

I like to try with pitching and defense. Of coarse you need a few good bats.

mike2228 · 12-10-2010, 08:11 PM

I play as the yankees so I do what the yankees always do, which is hoard talent.

conception · 12-10-2010, 08:42 PM

I always try to find good players at every position. I know everyone seems to think it boils down to "start with pitching and then fix your defense up the middle" or some kind of formula like that, but I take over a new team every year or two in my fictional league to keep it challenging and the real key is just to get good players.

Whenever I take over a team I simply try and get impact players to build around, regardless of position. You can't control what players are going to be available in the FA pool or for an affordable trade, you can only get the ones that are there for you to get and the key is just to try and get the best players out there and build the pieces around them.

Chicagofan76 · 12-10-2010, 10:41 PM

My ABF league started in 2000. Free agency doesnt start til after 2005 the season in which I am in now. But for my 3 Civil War Series Victories that I have , I have built my team based off of the Yankees of the 50's. My team has the leagues best pitcher (myself) and the leagues 5 time consecutive MVP. I try to build my team on strong pitching especially in the pen, great def, and hitters that can hit .300 20 90
I have most of my core players wrapped up to long term deals for the next 3 seasons. I do have a crappy bench overall although they r good defensively.

The Wolf · 12-11-2010, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike2228

I play as the yankees so I do what the yankees always do, which is hoard talent.

The Team Your Team Could Look Like - Over the Monster

Mr. Baseball · 12-12-2010, 06:37 PM

I build my time for small ball. I usually only keep one big time power bat on the team, and get a bunch of high contact, low strikeout, speedy players that can steal bases. On average, my team will steal about 2/3 bases per game. I love to run, and I'm always aggressive on the base paths.

Does this strategy work? Well, I've finished 2nd in my division back to back years and have gone on to the playoffs. In a six team division, that's not bad.

RchW · 12-12-2010, 06:47 PM

Pitching, speed and power. Works well for me.

Hotwheelz · 12-12-2010, 09:20 PM

High on base skills, contact and speed are what I focus when I am building my offense. My Portland Beavers took that to the extreme and I was forced to bring a big time power hitter. I have found that you can go a long way with pitching, hitters that get on base often, and speed. However, they have not had much luck in the playoffs so I might need to rethink that plan.

Terpripken · 12-12-2010, 09:55 PM

I've had some success modeling my teams after Whitey Herzog's 1980's Cardinals teams. Overall though, I just look for the best talent, and make adjustments as need be.

AirmenSmith · 12-12-2010, 10:58 PM

I go with pitching and speed but mostly pitching. My top 4 starters better get 270+ IP or they are not starting. My bullpen will have 2 MR and then I have my one closer. I also try to get my starters to average about 15+ complete games a year. Oh and my number 1 pitcher better have 300 IP every year.

Batting I just want my guys to get on base however they can and then steal steal and steal. Most of my games end up have less then 5 runs scored by both teams combined.

One thing I always do though is tailor my team to my ballpark. I don't think many people do this but its really good to look and see if your in a hitters park or pitchers park.

reds1869 · 12-12-2010, 11:23 PM

I look for pitchers with a good K/9 and WHIP; ground ball pitchers are a big plus. I like my hitters to be high OBP guys with some speed and pop. Good defense is also a must. I have generally had success with that formula.

Chicagofan76 · 12-13-2010, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotwheelz

High on base skills, contact and speed are what I focus when I am building my offense. My Portland Beavers took that to the extreme and I was forced to bring a big time power hitter. I have found that you can go a long way with pitching, hitters that get on base often, and speed. However, they have not had much luck in the playoffs so I might need to rethink that plan.

ala Minnesota Twins

Chicagofan76 · 12-13-2010, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirmenSmith

One thing I always do though is tailor my team to my ballpark. I don't think many people do this but its really good to look and see if your in a hitters park or pitchers park.

I play my games in wrigley field (Water Tower Field). I am very right handed power heavy. although i do have 2 switch hitters in my lineupa dn 1 lefty none of those 3 are good for much more then 15-18 a yr. my #3 is 3rd all time in HR (219) my #4 hitter avg .293 34hr career. and i get killed in pitching when the wind is blowing out to left.

conception · 12-13-2010, 06:34 PM

Tailoring to your ballpark is definitely a must, at least as far as L/R splits are concerned. Obviously you need both lefties and righties in your lineup to keep opposing teams honest, but I always aim to have a lot more of whatever side of the plate is best in my park, at least if the splits aren't pretty much balanced. If I've got a RF short porch, you can bet I will stack up on the lefties and let it rip.

Chicagofan76 · 12-13-2010, 08:55 PM

The Philadelphia Revolution vs RHP has 7 LHB and 1 switch hitter. they kill right handed pitching, they r currently 2nd 1 game behind me and they own the Chicago Fire. They play in Citizens Bank Park.

Tram2Whitaker · 12-14-2010, 10:18 PM

OOTP is distinct from other games, in that coaching actually affects the outcome of the games. In several MLB seasons, I've won 3 World Series with Cliff Mesa as my manager. But, you have to start at the bottom; all your coaches have to be top notch from rookie ball to major league. In many cases, it's more how the coach "handles" players, than it is their reputation for "teaching".

Second, I work on pitching. I have a low tolerance for eras. I don't allow any of my pitchers to go over 4.50, if I can help it.

Defense up the middle: Catcher, shortstop, second, and center. This is actually where scouting comes in handy, because defense is difficult to put into quantitative stats.

Depth is also important. I usually get 3 or 4 utility guys. (when they hit 30, they start to complain about how they should be starting, despite the fact they're hitting .230)

1b is strictly a power position. Most of the time, I play in the NL, or with DH off, because I don't believe in the DH; it's un-American. If my 1b is not hitting around 40 hr a year, I'm not going to keep him around.

Chicagofan76 · 12-14-2010, 11:23 PM

Tram builds his team similair to mine but I have a higher tolerance for Era's and non 40 hr power 1B.
Right now my starters have an ERA of 2.98 my pen is at 4.87 and that only because my 2 lefties have gotten shelled in 1 game a piece.
I have the best defensive team throughout. I have 5 GG players career on my team.My 1B has defense rating of 4 yet his fld pct career is .993. he also is a .312 career hitter who avg 37 hr thru 5 yrs. I resigned him to a 5 million dollar per yr contract thru 2008 (2005 now). see if that back fires on me he is already 34.
back I have the core of my great players locked up thru 2009 my CF makes 12 thru 2014 he is a 5 time MVP 5 time GG at 2 positions and the career leader in avg .365 3 time 40-40 guy

edddgar · 12-15-2010, 02:36 AM

Versatility is always key for me. Run prevention is my #1 goal and good defensive abilities is always a must. I perfectly willing to accept lesser hitting abilities for better defense and refuse to start anyone with a defensive rating under 13 (1-20 scale) unless in a platoon situation. In that situation one must be highly above average defensively or at least have a late inning defensive replacement on the roster.

I always have at least one guy that can play all INF positions and one guy to play all OF positions, typically I try and target guys that can play both however. One must be a stolen base threat and even if they aren't ML ready with the bat, they'll still earn a roster spot on my team until I find an upgrade.

SS and CF are my core positions, a positional rating of 17 or better is required and a high Range and Error ratings are required as well. My profile of hitters is always OBP first, however I'll sacrifice some Eye for hitters that Avoid K's. Speed and Power are only added bonuses, but not something I specifically target unless I'm missing some balance. Even still, I never overpay for either. I gladly use platoons and often get some above average performance for cheap because of it.

As far as pitching, high K rates is the most important thing to me. High GB% is required for my bullpen and back of rotation starters. I always try and acquire a long relief option with a cutter, a MR with a solid sinker, and both a lefty and righty specialists with a FB/SL combo. Previously I've overpaid for an Ace and built the rest of my rotation on draft picks and undervalued assets that play well to my park/defense.

Recently I started experimenting with a new pitching scheme. I abolished my starting rotation and built a pitching staff composed of 12 relief pitchers. It has played perfectly into my requirement of versatility and my splits favored madness. My owner gave me an expectation of "you should at least try and stay close to an even record" with this team and while it's still early in my experiment he's been 'Ecstatic' with my performance thus far. I currently sit 43-19 with a big league lead in an otherwise weak division.

Also worth noting, personality ratings are very important to me as well, almost as much of a prerequisite for acquisition as good defense. High work ethic, intelligence, and leadership can never be looked past. I've found quite a high number of useful players later in drafts this way. I know a lot of people have questioned their effectiveness, but I don't hesitant to spend big on coaches especially in the minor leagues.

Tram2Whitaker · 12-15-2010, 09:05 AM

Personality Ratings are useful when drafting, because a player with poor intelligence and/or work ethic rating, will never reach their full potential (which is what you're drafting) However, once they've made the big leagues, I've found it to be less of a factor in building a winning team.

12-12-2010, 06:37 PM	#7
Mr. Baseball All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mequon, Wisconsin Posts: 1,020	I build my time for small ball. I usually only keep one big time power bat on the team, and get a bunch of high contact, low strikeout, speedy players that can steal bases. On average, my team will steal about 2/3 bases per game. I love to run, and I'm always aggressive on the base paths. Does this strategy work? Well, I've finished 2nd in my division back to back years and have gone on to the playoffs. In a six team division, that's not bad. __________________ Duluth Danger (HBL) Dynasty Report -- Online League Franchise Duluth - 1985/1989 North League Champions!

12-12-2010, 06:47 PM	#8
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto ON by way of Glasgow UK Posts: 15,629	Pitching, speed and power. Works well for me. __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

12-12-2010, 10:58 PM	#11
AirmenSmith Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kalispell, MT Posts: 2,094	I go with pitching and speed but mostly pitching. My top 4 starters better get 270+ IP or they are not starting. My bullpen will have 2 MR and then I have my one closer. I also try to get my starters to average about 15+ complete games a year. Oh and my number 1 pitcher better have 300 IP every year. Batting I just want my guys to get on base however they can and then steal steal and steal. Most of my games end up have less then 5 runs scored by both teams combined. One thing I always do though is tailor my team to my ballpark. I don't think many people do this but its really good to look and see if your in a hitters park or pitchers park. __________________ Come join me on my Twitch Channel for gaming at its excellence Twitch Link

12-14-2010, 10:18 PM	#17
Tram2Whitaker All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 619	OOTP is distinct from other games, in that coaching actually affects the outcome of the games. In several MLB seasons, I've won 3 World Series with Cliff Mesa as my manager. But, you have to start at the bottom; all your coaches have to be top notch from rookie ball to major league. In many cases, it's more how the coach "handles" players, than it is their reputation for "teaching". Second, I work on pitching. I have a low tolerance for eras. I don't allow any of my pitchers to go over 4.50, if I can help it. Defense up the middle: Catcher, shortstop, second, and center. This is actually where scouting comes in handy, because defense is difficult to put into quantitative stats. Depth is also important. I usually get 3 or 4 utility guys. (when they hit 30, they start to complain about how they should be starting, despite the fact they're hitting .230) 1b is strictly a power position. Most of the time, I play in the NL, or with DH off, because I don't believe in the DH; it's un-American. If my 1b is not hitting around 40 hr a year, I'm not going to keep him around. __________________ 404'd!

12-15-2010, 09:05 AM	#20
Tram2Whitaker All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 619	Personality Ratings are useful when drafting, because a player with poor intelligence and/or work ethic rating, will never reach their full potential (which is what you're drafting) However, once they've made the big leagues, I've found it to be less of a factor in building a winning team. __________________ 404'd!

12-10-2010, 03:07 PM	#1
Libid21 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 540	Various ways of building one's team I know there are strategies out there for building a championship caliber baseball team. And all I'd like you to do is share your blueprints with us! Do you guys build through pitching and defense? Or offense and speed? Perhaps a mixture of both? ... If you build through pitchers, do you prefer ground ball pitchers, strike out pitchers, or what? ... Whether cost-efficient or not, share your blueprints here! __________________ "It is the nature of being the general manager of a baseball team that you have to remain on familiar terms with people you are continually trying to screw." - Michael Lewis in Moneyball

12-10-2010, 03:42 PM	#2
kev24fan Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 497	I like to try with pitching and defense. Of coarse you need a few good bats.

12-10-2010, 08:11 PM	#3
mike2228 Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 491	I play as the yankees so I do what the yankees always do, which is hoard talent.

12-10-2010, 08:42 PM	#4
conception All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,150	I always try to find good players at every position. I know everyone seems to think it boils down to "start with pitching and then fix your defense up the middle" or some kind of formula like that, but I take over a new team every year or two in my fictional league to keep it challenging and the real key is just to get good players. Whenever I take over a team I simply try and get impact players to build around, regardless of position. You can't control what players are going to be available in the FA pool or for an affordable trade, you can only get the ones that are there for you to get and the key is just to try and get the best players out there and build the pieces around them.

12-10-2010, 10:41 PM	#5
Chicagofan76 Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Diamond, IL Posts: 6,339 Infractions: 2/2 (3)	My ABF league started in 2000. Free agency doesnt start til after 2005 the season in which I am in now. But for my 3 Civil War Series Victories that I have , I have built my team based off of the Yankees of the 50's. My team has the leagues best pitcher (myself) and the leagues 5 time consecutive MVP. I try to build my team on strong pitching especially in the pen, great def, and hitters that can hit .300 20 90 I have most of my core players wrapped up to long term deals for the next 3 seasons. I do have a crappy bench overall although they r good defensively.

12-12-2010, 09:20 PM	#9
Hotwheelz All Star Starter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,620	High on base skills, contact and speed are what I focus when I am building my offense. My Portland Beavers took that to the extreme and I was forced to bring a big time power hitter. I have found that you can go a long way with pitching, hitters that get on base often, and speed. However, they have not had much luck in the playoffs so I might need to rethink that plan.

12-12-2010, 09:55 PM	#10
Terpripken All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Safety Harbor, FL Posts: 1,525	I've had some success modeling my teams after Whitey Herzog's 1980's Cardinals teams. Overall though, I just look for the best talent, and make adjustments as need be.

12-12-2010, 11:23 PM	#12
reds1869 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cincinnati, OH, USA Posts: 258	I look for pitchers with a good K/9 and WHIP; ground ball pitchers are a big plus. I like my hitters to be high OBP guys with some speed and pop. Good defense is also a must. I have generally had success with that formula.

12-13-2010, 06:34 PM	#15
conception All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,150	Tailoring to your ballpark is definitely a must, at least as far as L/R splits are concerned. Obviously you need both lefties and righties in your lineup to keep opposing teams honest, but I always aim to have a lot more of whatever side of the plate is best in my park, at least if the splits aren't pretty much balanced. If I've got a RF short porch, you can bet I will stack up on the lefties and let it rip.

12-13-2010, 08:55 PM	#16
Chicagofan76 Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Diamond, IL Posts: 6,339 Infractions: 2/2 (3)	The Philadelphia Revolution vs RHP has 7 LHB and 1 switch hitter. they kill right handed pitching, they r currently 2nd 1 game behind me and they own the Chicago Fire. They play in Citizens Bank Park.

12-14-2010, 11:23 PM	#18
Chicagofan76 Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Diamond, IL Posts: 6,339 Infractions: 2/2 (3)	Tram builds his team similair to mine but I have a higher tolerance for Era's and non 40 hr power 1B. Right now my starters have an ERA of 2.98 my pen is at 4.87 and that only because my 2 lefties have gotten shelled in 1 game a piece. I have the best defensive team throughout. I have 5 GG players career on my team.My 1B has defense rating of 4 yet his fld pct career is .993. he also is a .312 career hitter who avg 37 hr thru 5 yrs. I resigned him to a 5 million dollar per yr contract thru 2008 (2005 now). see if that back fires on me he is already 34. back I have the core of my great players locked up thru 2009 my CF makes 12 thru 2014 he is a 5 time MVP 5 time GG at 2 positions and the career leader in avg .365 3 time 40-40 guy

12-15-2010, 02:36 AM	#19
edddgar Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 254	Versatility is always key for me. Run prevention is my #1 goal and good defensive abilities is always a must. I perfectly willing to accept lesser hitting abilities for better defense and refuse to start anyone with a defensive rating under 13 (1-20 scale) unless in a platoon situation. In that situation one must be highly above average defensively or at least have a late inning defensive replacement on the roster. I always have at least one guy that can play all INF positions and one guy to play all OF positions, typically I try and target guys that can play both however. One must be a stolen base threat and even if they aren't ML ready with the bat, they'll still earn a roster spot on my team until I find an upgrade. SS and CF are my core positions, a positional rating of 17 or better is required and a high Range and Error ratings are required as well. My profile of hitters is always OBP first, however I'll sacrifice some Eye for hitters that Avoid K's. Speed and Power are only added bonuses, but not something I specifically target unless I'm missing some balance. Even still, I never overpay for either. I gladly use platoons and often get some above average performance for cheap because of it. As far as pitching, high K rates is the most important thing to me. High GB% is required for my bullpen and back of rotation starters. I always try and acquire a long relief option with a cutter, a MR with a solid sinker, and both a lefty and righty specialists with a FB/SL combo. Previously I've overpaid for an Ace and built the rest of my rotation on draft picks and undervalued assets that play well to my park/defense. Recently I started experimenting with a new pitching scheme. I abolished my starting rotation and built a pitching staff composed of 12 relief pitchers. It has played perfectly into my requirement of versatility and my splits favored madness. My owner gave me an expectation of "you should at least try and stay close to an even record" with this team and while it's still early in my experiment he's been 'Ecstatic' with my performance thus far. I currently sit 43-19 with a big league lead in an otherwise weak division. Also worth noting, personality ratings are very important to me as well, almost as much of a prerequisite for acquisition as good defense. High work ethic, intelligence, and leadership can never be looked past. I've found quite a high number of useful players later in drafts this way. I know a lot of people have questioned their effectiveness, but I don't hesitant to spend big on coaches especially in the minor leagues.