Championship contending expansion teams

[jg2977]

What expansion settings should I enter to have expansion teams that are relevant immediately, a la the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights? I assume I'll have to change the default draft settings, and alter the team finances.

[jimmysthebestcop]

The draft is a non factor those players could be 5 years away from the show.

I guess if you make them all top 5 big market big budget cities. If there is a bunch of good free agents they have a chance to sign them all.

But mlb ages different. It might make the team good for 2-3 years. Then everyone on the team will be over the hill with huge contracts you can't move.

[Brad K]

The Knights were immediately effective because the expansion draft didn't allow existing teams to protect enough players. The number of protected players per team needs to be lower when there are few teams and higher when there are many.

Also it depends on how many expansion teams there are in relation to the number of existing teams. So if you have lots of teams and are only expanding by two then the default of protect 25 might actually be close. We know from history that protecting 25 for a two team expansion when there are only 8 or 10 teams per league results in terrible expansion teams.

[jg2977]

I guess I’ll just try protecting less players and make the expansion franchises’ market size larger

[jimmysthebestcop]

Originally Posted by jg2977

I guess I’ll just try protecting less players and make the expansion franchises’ market size larger

market size and loyalty and interest will really determine the budget. not sure if you can pick the owner but having a good one will help.

bigger payroll the more possible stars they can sign as long as they dont get trapped in the 30+ year olds wanting 7+ years.