Do you ever try to pad stats of players?

jmknpk2 · 11-30-2017, 11:33 PM

Do you ever try to pad (artificially increase or lower) the stats of players?

I do.

If there is a pitcher I am planning on trading, I will only start him against teams with a weak lineup, or only pitch a reliever against the bottom of the order. Boosts his stats and he appears more valuable (even sometimes to other human managers). I will bat a fielder against only weak pitchers. And I will pitch or bat only against the most favorable right/left match ups, somewhat artificially bolstering overall stats.

If there is a player I want to try to bid on in open free agency instead of with an extension, I'll do the opposite. Use him against only tough opponents to lower his stats (and hopefully competing offers from other teams). Sometimes also, for a player coming into arbitration.

I have seen human managers in an online league change the position of a top notch defensive shortstop to "1B", hoping other human managers overlook his defensive value. Or change the position of a great starting pitcher to reliever. Such players do not seem as desirable and aren't as highly sought after in free agency when their position is altered.

Or, vice-versa for a player a team plans to trade. They change the position of a "1B" to "SS", even if his defense is horrible. Or change a two pitch reliever with stamina of 20/100 to "SP". Some human managers might overlook and not study the details of his ratings. I try to be more careful, myself, studying every detail of all players involved before finalizing a trade.

I don't remember using those position change strategies against human managers yet in an online league. Not sure it seems gentlemanly.

But one season, when OOTP was going through a significant change in engine internals with a version upgrade, I hoarded a bunch of mediocre minor leaguers, in the hopes the new engine would turn them into better players. Got called out and caught. Changed my ways. Truly was trying to "game" the situation unfairly.

Sweed · 12-01-2017, 09:57 AM

Reading the title I thought this would be about a guy sitting on 99 RBIs, last day of season, team has already clinched a playoff spot, but you let him play chasing the 100 RBIs. Same for a P chasing an equally unimportant 20th win while risking injury. This I have done at times even though I know it is a bit foolish.

What you are describing? No.

Of course everyone is free to play the game as they see fit (especially a solo league) but this sounds like a big bag of "game the system" to me. I can't even begin to see the fun in it, but that's just me and we can disagree

The whole post is a great description of why I have never wanted to play in an online multiplayer league. I want to play a simulation of baseball and not "work the numbers" of a computer game to get an advantage in a game that is trying to simulate real life baseball. Yes, this would be real baseball as I see it and being a solo league it is only my judgement that matters

progen · 12-01-2017, 10:30 AM

I'm with you Sweed. In the old days I loved being part of an online league, and was in as many as five or six at one time. But I eventually grew tired of most of them, and while I was in several awesome leagues, it really comes down to how much time you want to spend in the league, and with traveling, I couldn't put the time in that I wanted to.

I do think leagues are great for OOTP, because each year when they come out with a new version, and your league switches, you're forced to buy the new version, which helps the company out. And it is a great way to get to know the OOTP community better. I just enjoy playing solo, and going at my own pace.

By the way, like your picture of "the Gabe." He is still my all time favorite Eagles QB. The "Fire High" gang. Team only won five games, and gave up a ton of points. Gabe and the gang, would just try and outscore the other team.

andyhdz · 12-01-2017, 02:31 PM

sorry sounds like you are trying to video game the system.

jmknpk2 · 12-01-2017, 08:02 PM

I really wish I didn't know so many ways to "game" the game. Might be able to smell the glove leather or sweat in the locker room. Maybe wrangle words with a player and the chip on his shoulder, or get thrown out of a game by an umpire. Instead of imagining what source code is causing the bits to be churned by my CPU.

Of course, there are those who "game" real life as well.
Unwritten agreements by owner groups, Spalding, Branch Rickey, Bill Veeck, shoe deals, advertisements on jerseys, overpriced food and drink at any venue, player agents, fake news, "happy" meal toys at fast food, actuaries ...

Did some information slip out of the Pirate's organization in the last few years?

11-30-2017, 11:33 PM	#1
jmknpk2 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 982	Do you ever try to pad stats of players? Do you ever try to pad (artificially increase or lower) the stats of players? I do. If there is a pitcher I am planning on trading, I will only start him against teams with a weak lineup, or only pitch a reliever against the bottom of the order. Boosts his stats and he appears more valuable (even sometimes to other human managers). I will bat a fielder against only weak pitchers. And I will pitch or bat only against the most favorable right/left match ups, somewhat artificially bolstering overall stats. If there is a player I want to try to bid on in open free agency instead of with an extension, I'll do the opposite. Use him against only tough opponents to lower his stats (and hopefully competing offers from other teams). Sometimes also, for a player coming into arbitration. I have seen human managers in an online league change the position of a top notch defensive shortstop to "1B", hoping other human managers overlook his defensive value. Or change the position of a great starting pitcher to reliever. Such players do not seem as desirable and aren't as highly sought after in free agency when their position is altered. Or, vice-versa for a player a team plans to trade. They change the position of a "1B" to "SS", even if his defense is horrible. Or change a two pitch reliever with stamina of 20/100 to "SP". Some human managers might overlook and not study the details of his ratings. I try to be more careful, myself, studying every detail of all players involved before finalizing a trade. I don't remember using those position change strategies against human managers yet in an online league. Not sure it seems gentlemanly. But one season, when OOTP was going through a significant change in engine internals with a version upgrade, I hoarded a bunch of mediocre minor leaguers, in the hopes the new engine would turn them into better players. Got called out and caught. Changed my ways. Truly was trying to "game" the situation unfairly. Last edited by jmknpk2; 11-30-2017 at 11:46 PM.

12-01-2017, 09:57 AM	#2
Sweed Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 7,077	Reading the title I thought this would be about a guy sitting on 99 RBIs, last day of season, team has already clinched a playoff spot, but you let him play chasing the 100 RBIs. Same for a P chasing an equally unimportant 20th win while risking injury. This I have done at times even though I know it is a bit foolish. What you are describing? No. Of course everyone is free to play the game as they see fit (especially a solo league) but this sounds like a big bag of "game the system" to me. I can't even begin to see the fun in it, but that's just me and we can disagree The whole post is a great description of why I have never wanted to play in an online multiplayer league. I want to play a simulation of baseball and not "work the numbers" of a computer game to get an advantage in a game that is trying to simulate real life baseball. Yes, this would be real baseball as I see it and being a solo league it is only my judgement that matters

12-01-2017, 10:30 AM	#3
progen All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,535 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I'm with you Sweed. In the old days I loved being part of an online league, and was in as many as five or six at one time. But I eventually grew tired of most of them, and while I was in several awesome leagues, it really comes down to how much time you want to spend in the league, and with traveling, I couldn't put the time in that I wanted to. I do think leagues are great for OOTP, because each year when they come out with a new version, and your league switches, you're forced to buy the new version, which helps the company out. And it is a great way to get to know the OOTP community better. I just enjoy playing solo, and going at my own pace. By the way, like your picture of "the Gabe." He is still my all time favorite Eagles QB. The "Fire High" gang. Team only won five games, and gave up a ton of points. Gabe and the gang, would just try and outscore the other team.

12-01-2017, 02:31 PM	#4
andyhdz All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fresno, CA by way of Texas Posts: 1,754	sorry sounds like you are trying to video game the system.

12-01-2017, 08:02 PM	#5
jmknpk2 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 982	I really wish I didn't know so many ways to "game" the game. Might be able to smell the glove leather or sweat in the locker room. Maybe wrangle words with a player and the chip on his shoulder, or get thrown out of a game by an umpire. Instead of imagining what source code is causing the bits to be churned by my CPU. Of course, there are those who "game" real life as well. Unwritten agreements by owner groups, Spalding, Branch Rickey, Bill Veeck, shoe deals, advertisements on jerseys, overpriced food and drink at any venue, player agents, fake news, "happy" meal toys at fast food, actuaries ... Did some information slip out of the Pirate's organization in the last few years?