2063.07; Random Robins Thoughts (pt2)

[shoeless.db]

Note: I’m writing these on my phone over lunch at my favorite coffee shop. These were split in two as to not lose my progress due to something dumb I’ll inevitably do and not for the shameless PP grab.

** Let’s start with my plans for PP in the coming seasons. The plan is to not influence the Robin’s financials in any way with the use of PP — a self-imposed financial handicap as its more fun for me to build up with the baseball-related resources at hand. I do plan to use the PP to make the game more enjoyable for me: hiring old players as coaches, moving the minor league affiliates to ridiculous places (trying to rush a AA move to Plum Island this next sim .. that move will write the stories itself); and, giving a player a nickname each offseason. I’m still deciding who to torment with a nickname before the next sim.

** The acquiring of players to help the Robins compete this year has been a wild ride. I knew I’d have to put extra emphasis on defense and pitchers who hate the long ball as much as I do. I’ve done as well as I could achieving this. My pitching staff is a motley bunch of gritty hurlers who should keep baseballs in play, and it’s highlighted by two of the best pitchers I’ve had on any team I’ve managed in Torres and Jensen. We should lose a lot of close games rather than being blown out every other day.

** My main philosophy when it comes to team building is to not have any players who are simply mediocre in all aspects of the game. Mediocre players make mediocre teams that make mediocre seasons. A player must be elite at something to play for me. That rule has had to be smudged a bit this season as it’s tough to acquire a squad of 27 guys who fit that description, but, with the current chips being counted, we’re not looking too bad. Second base is a problem I couldn’t solve. Third base is suspect, as is left field. I’ve done my best to fill these three positions with players who should do no harm (but also no good … see mediocre above). I’ll be scanning the waivers like a madman to replace these three positions and any others. I have no loyalty to players. This is a business.

** The preseason predictions has us at 72 wins which means nothing and everything at the same time. The game doesn’t see us as complete shit, but the game is dumb, so …

** I want to be above .500 this season. This is not a goal. Goals are bullshit. I’m going to work my ass off to get to 82 wins. I hate losing. Everyone hates losing. But I can guarantee my Atlantic foes that I will not throw in the towel. I don’t want to draft in the top ten ever again. It’s not fun.

[BaseClogger]

My first rule 5 pick, Juan Montoya, seemingly had yer name all over him for second base. Maybe not enough defense thanks to his poor TDP rating.

I think 82 wins is going to be tough in that division. It’s difficult to imagine anybody losing 95+ games. You’ll need a .600 win% against the frontier. I’ll be rooting for you and watching closely.

[shoeless.db]

My first rule 5 pick, Juan Montoya, seemingly had yer name all over him for second base. Maybe not enough defense thanks to his poor TDP rating.

I think 82 wins is going to be tough in that division. It’s difficult to imagine anybody losing 95+ games. You’ll need a .600 win% against the frontier. I’ll be rooting for you and watching closely.

I went back and forth on Montoya. In the end, I couldn't commit myself to playing him at 2B due to the TDP rating you mentioned, so he was about 11th on my list. I'm relying so heavily on trying to win games with ground-ballers and great defense, I simply couldn't do it. Every ground ball with a runner on first would be a 50/50 if he can turn two or not (at least in my head). He's a great pickup.