MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

[CubFan23]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

What are some good sliders/a difficulty level? I'm awful at hitting but I want fun/competitive games.

I use all star sliders ( i forget who's they are)for pitching and dynamic setting for hitting and have great games. Dynamic is great because the difficulty goes up and down with your skill. If you start hitting the cover off the ball the difficulty rises and hitting gets harder. You have to give it a few games but once you settle in it's awesome!

[decga]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

117 games down, 45 remaining. My record is 61-56. I am 8GB of the 1st place Nats and 4.5GB of the 2nd WC Padres. I also have the Reds just a 0.5 of a game up on me and we have a 4 game set coming up in 10 games.

I back slid against the Nats in a much anticipated 3 games series. I guess they have my number so far this year. The Nats are 8-5 in 13 games.

Game 1- I took 3-1. Johan Santana, I got him from the Orioles. I dealt BJ and Beachy for him. I added $4 mil to the budget. He mustard 6 strong innings, but walked (4). He gave up 0 ER. He out dueled Roark by the way.

Game 2- The Nats took game 2 3-1. Stratsburg out dueled Teheran. Strasburg 6.2IP, 7H,ER,8K sending him to a 11-7 on the year. Teheran 7IP,3H,3R,2ER,8K. He's 14-6 on the year.

Game 3- The Nats took the series finale 4-2. J. Zimmermann our dueled Minor. Zimmermann has a MLB leading 16 wins, under 2.30 ERA. Cy Young candidate. Zimmermann 8IP,7H,2ER,4K. Minor 6IP,9H,3R,2ER,3K. Minor dropped to 7-8, but he has a 2.21 ERA.

[ptbnl]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I'm a few seasons into a franchise with the Yankees (I think I'm starting 2016 right now), but I have a question about free agency.

I can never sign a significant free agent. Ever.

I've tried several times to get big guys (Andrew Miller, Jordan Zimmermann, another guy who slips my mind right now) and I'm usually the "leading" team on the contracts list for each player for days. A lot of times it's by quite a bit.

But every time, I get a message saying either he's no longer considering my offer, or just flat out he signed with another club, even if my offer is better/what he's looking for. I know you're not going to sign everyone, but I don't get how it works I guess.

And I know in real life guys change their minds and there are surprises, etc... but I don't get how the stupid meter thing works then. I've offered more years, more money, closer to what he's asking, options, no options; doesn't matter. The guy always signs with another team (usually his old team for some reason) and always for a worse (or at least confusing) deal.

Anyone have any tips? An explanation? I'm not complaining, just trying to understand it. Thanks.

[Trent Booty]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Just made it to the all star break. My ***:

Felix
Cano
Cruz
Seager
Rodney

Felix is starting, and Cano is batting 3rd, Cruz is hitting 5th and Seager is hitting 6th.

We're a game behind the Angels for the AL West lead. We lead the WC however.

I honestly cannot wait until 15 comes out. Hopefully I'll have a PS4 by then.

[mlblover15]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Won the NL East with my Marlins with a record of 121-41. Had to face the wc winners the Washington Nationals in the first round. Beat them three games to one.

then i had to face the NL West wining Los Angeles Dodgers. Who had just come off a sweep of the NL Central winners the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers took game one handily 11-0. i thought i was doomed, but then my pitching and offense finally came to life as i beat them in four straight games to take the NL pennant.

I will now face the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays in the world series. The Rays got there by winning the AL East. then taking on the AL Central champions the Minnesota Twins. Who came from six game back to win the central in the last month of the season.

they defeated them in quick fashion three games to one. their ALCS opponent was their division rival the Boston Red Sox. who won the wild card play in game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Once they did that, they had the AL West champion Oakland A's waiting for them.

The Red Sox dispatched with the heavily favored A's three games to one to advance. Once Boston and Tampa Bay hooked up in the ALCS it was apparently clear that one team was far better. That being the division winners, the Tampa bay Rays.

the Rays went up on the Sox three games to none in the series. Then it looked like we might have a repeat of 2004 when the Sox woke up and won game four. it was jsut a hiccup as in game five the Rays finished the job and won the series to take their place in the World Series.

Game one will feature David Price for the Rays against Jose Fernandez of the Marlins.

[mlblover15]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I'm a few seasons into a franchise with the Yankees (I think I'm starting 2016 right now), but I have a question about free agency.

I can never sign a significant free agent. Ever.

I've tried several times to get big guys (Andrew Miller, Jordan Zimmermann, another guy who slips my mind right now) and I'm usually the "leading" team on the contracts list for each player for days. A lot of times it's by quite a bit.

But every time, I get a message saying either he's no longer considering my offer, or just flat out he signed with another club, even if my offer is better/what he's looking for. I know you're not going to sign everyone, but I don't get how it works I guess.

And I know in real life guys change their minds and there are surprises, etc... but I don't get how the stupid meter thing works then. I've offered more years, more money, closer to what he's asking, options, no options; doesn't matter. The guy always signs with another team (usually his old team for some reason) and always for a worse (or at least confusing) deal.

Anyone have any tips? An explanation? I'm not complaining, just trying to understand it. Thanks.

if you do a search i know someone last year did a great thread on things to do in the off season so you can do this.... their are certain things you have to do in order or sequence if you will for it to work better...

cant remember who or what the title of it was but it is there somewhere either on this one or the last gen area... check both...

[ckarlic]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

2014 World Series Yankees vs Dodgers Game 5

The inning where things went awry for the Yankees and me mounting a little comeback in the bottom of that inning. In the end the Dodgers prevailed to take a 3-2 lead in the series going back to LA for the rest of the series:

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZpQdCWcLLiQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[mlblover15]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Won the World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays in seven games. Signed Max Scherzer in the off season and kept every key player on my roster (everyone except one starting pitcher) and now am six games into my ST games and am ready to conquer the game on Veteran in year two.

i had a remarkable $47 Million left over after the off season and just upped that to $67 Million thanks to getting over the 1000 stubs hump after a couple of games in ST. So by the time my 2015 season ends i will probably have in excess of $150 Million or more that i will be able to bankroll into my third season.

i will have no worries next off season except re-signing my Manager. everyone else is signed through at least 3-6 more years.

one interesting happening of note is that Buck Showalter decided that he wanted a new challenge and left the Baltimore Orioles and signed to take over the Houston Astros.

i still have many more teams to play to see if any of them have new managers that didn't play up to expectations last season. So far buck is the only one.

[ckarlic]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Finally got the chance to play Game 7 of the 2014 World Series Yankees (me) vs Dodgers and the Yankees became the 2014 World Series Champions. Tanaka pitched a complete game shut out for the Yankees and Carlos Beltran was the World Series MVP (I thought it should have been Tex since he had 4 hrs in the series and blasted a 3 run shot in Game 7 ) but im just glad to have been able to win the World Series.

Bottom of the 9th highlight:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wjpVecNF1SQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[franch1se]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

So I need some suggestions on my pitching staff.

I just added James Shields to the Padres, I don't know who to send down.

Andrew Cashner (12-1, 2.10 ERA)
Ian Kennedy (9-5, 2.99 ERA)
Cory Luebke (12-7, 2.63 ERA) + a lefty
Josh Johnson (11-2, 2.77 ERA)
Tyson Ross (3-1, 2.22 ERA) - Just came off the DL
Casey Kelly (6-2, 2.66 ERA) - Was filling in for Ross

my BP Right now is

LRP - Brandon Morrow (2-2, 4.94)
LRP - Brandon Maurer (0-0, 6.43)
MRP - Alex Torres (2-3, 6.12)
MRP - Nick Vincent (3-5, 3.20)
MRP - Shawn Kelley (6-1, 2.47)
SU - Kevin Quackenbush (4-3, 4.70)
CP - Joaquin Benoit (1-0, 2.61, 38 SV)

Minor Leagues

RP - Dale Thayer (0-0, 1.09)
RP - Jose Valverde (0-0, 1.59, 5 SV)

I was thinking possibly sending Torres to AAA and Luebke to the bullpen to be my LHP, however I'd lose a Lefty in my rotation. Maurer will probably be sent down and I'll most likely send Kelly down to AAA now that Ross is back, or I could slide him to the pen to replace Maurer. it will be between Kelly and Thayer.

[ShowTyme15]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

So I need some suggestions on my pitching staff.

I just added James Shields to the Padres, I don't know who to send down.

Andrew Cashner (12-1, 2.10 ERA)
Ian Kennedy (9-5, 2.99 ERA)
Cory Luebke (12-7, 2.63 ERA) + a lefty
Josh Johnson (11-2, 2.77 ERA)
Tyson Ross (3-1, 2.22 ERA) - Just came off the DL
Casey Kelly (6-2, 2.66 ERA) - Was filling in for Ross

my BP Right now is

LRP - Brandon Morrow (2-2, 4.94)
LRP - Brandon Maurer (0-0, 6.43)
MRP - Alex Torres (2-3, 6.12)
MRP - Nick Vincent (3-5, 3.20)
MRP - Shawn Kelley (6-1, 2.47)
SU - Kevin Quackenbush (4-3, 4.70)
CP - Joaquin Benoit (1-0, 2.61, 38 SV)

Minor Leagues

RP - Dale Thayer (0-0, 1.09)
RP - Jose Valverde (0-0, 1.59, 5 SV)

I was thinking possibly sending Torres to AAA and Luebke to the bullpen to be my LHP, however I'd lose a Lefty in my rotation. Maurer will probably be sent down and I'll most likely send Kelly down to AAA now that Ross is back, or I could slide him to the pen to replace Maurer. it will be between Kelly and Thayer.

Since you want to keep Luebke in your rotation send Ross to the pen and insert Shields into your rotation. Send Kelly down for sure.

[zippy2212]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Well I just finished my 15-16 Offseason.

In year 1 of my Cubs franchise I finished 80-82 and in 3rd place in the NL Central. My only FA signing that off-season was Jon Lester. I traded E. Jackson and a C rated pitcher to the Dodgers for Crawford. I started off the 2015 with my roster pretty much in tact from the year before with only making some minor trades and FA signings to fill in my minor league rosters. In year 2 I picked up J. Turner for Olt, Doubrant for a minor leaguer, Motte for Corey Black and Michael Saunders for Wesley Wright all during the season at different times. I also promoted Bryant and Baez in late April when we were 14-10. From there we absolutely took off. Bryant won RoY .300/28/84, Rizzo - MVP .284/46/132 and Lester - Cy Young 19-6, 3.06 ERA and 204 SO's. All in all we finished with a 106-56 record. However we lost 4-1 to the eventual World Series Champion Atlanta Braves.

After the heartbreak of that series I decided to break the bank in 2016. I signed Price for 5-115, Fowler 3-30, O' Flaherty 2-4.6 and traded Dan Straily 80 OVR for J. Harrison 75 OVR (.230/4/18 in limited action in 2015) and Castillo and Bonifacio (.273 with 69 SB) for Montero who was an all-star in 2015. I also unloaded Crawford for a C rated MiLBer opening up RF for Soler full time once I move Saunders to LF.

All in all I'm excited for the 2016 season and am extremely pleased with SCEA for franchise carryovers!

[tcsox11]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

After realizing that my original Red Sox franchise was full of BS trades since I forgot to put 30 team control on, I restarted my Sox franchise and....oh boy.
I have played every game so far, and I am only 3-13. The starting pitching has been very inconsistent, as Doubront is leading the way with a 3.38 era to start, while Lester, Lackey, Peavy, and Buchholz have all struggled out of the gate. Offensively it has been a major struggle. I have been chasing way too many bad pitches and most of the BA's reflect this. Ortiz and Napoli have disappeared in the middle of the order, Nap has hit a couple of Hrs at least, Ortiz's power has disappeared- he has 16 hits and 14 of them are singles and 1 is a double and 1 is a HR...Bogaerts and Gomes have been bright spots. Pedroia started off .440+ but has cooled considerably to .240....and man do I miss Ellsbury in CF! Both JBJ and Sizemore have not been getting it done..
I have considered starting over again with Ellsbury for the "what if" franchise if the Sox had actually re-signed him..Thoughts?
Sorry for the long post but thanks! We need to rally around the rally cry #BostonStrong again to bring another WS back to Beantown (of course we could do without another tragic incident )

[tcsox11]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Following up my last post, I noticed that similar to real life, I struggled to find success with the 2014 team that was pretty similar to the WS winning 2013 squad (minus Ellsbury). Part of it could have been rallying around Boston and having something to play for, but I just thought it was weird that I failed to find success with them in game in which the season paralleled real life..
Forgot to mention that this is not my 1st time starting 3-13 with the Sox....hmm i guess the baseball gods have cursed the Boys of Beantown again!!

[Gronk4M13]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I don't think I'll be getting MLB 15 for a while, so I've started a Yankees franchise. I simmed year one.

Early in the season, I lost 2B Brian Roberts, CF Jacoby Ellsbury and even Derek Jeter so injuries. All three missed approximately three months. In their places, rookies Zoilo Almonte, Corban Joseph and Dean Anna took the starting jobs.

Amateur Draft-

Round 1- SP Eli Pineda

Round 2- 1B Juan Feliciano

Round 3- SP Brian Velazquez

Round 4- OF Mariano Mitre

Round 5- 2B Jose Sanchez

Roberts and Jeter returned in June, but Dean Anna kept the 2B job for a bit. Ellsbury returned in late June, at which point Anna was sent to AAA.

Before the All Star Break, I made a pretty big trade, sending SP Ivan Nova, C Gary Sanchez and minor league SP Bryan Mitchell to the Padres for SP Burch Smith and RP Nick Vincent.

Two days later, Burch Smith went down with a torn finger ligament and missed a month. Kelly Johnson got a few starts at 2B.

Despite so many injuries and so much adversity, the Yankees stood at 58-37 at the All Star Break, with a 6.5 game lead in the AL East. SP CC Sabathia and CP David Robertson made the All Star Game. Robertson would lead the league in saves with 50.

SP Burch Smith returned in late August. Smith won his first game back 6-0 against the Tigers.

A rough August saw the Yankees stand at 75-60 entering September, with a 3 game lead in the division. Burch Smith won his second start post-injury 6-0 against our nemesis, the Red Sox. Smith won his next start 5-2 against the Orioles.

The 2014 Yankees arguably exceeded all expectations, finishing with a sterling 92-70 record and 1st in the AL East.

The Yankees met the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS.

Game 1- Tanaka v Felix Hernandez- lost 3-1

Game 2- Sabathia v Hisashi Iwakuma-lost 6-1

Game 3- Burch Smith v Roenis Elias- won 9-0

Game 4- Tanaka v Hernandez- lost 7-6

The Yankees lost in 4 games in the first round, a very disappointing finish to a good season.

After the season, Derek Jeter, SP Hiroki Kuroda and OF Ichiro Suzuki retired, with Jeter and Suzuki making the HOF. The Captain will surely be missed.

The Yanks had a quiet offseason. Rather than signing a bunch of mega-expensive and old free agents, the team stood relatively pat. I let David Robertson walk as IRL, and signed Chris Young and Stephen Drew to match real life. I offered Andrew Miller a contract but he signed with the White Sox.

Joe Girardi declined my contract offer, so we have a new manager and 3B coach as well.

2015 New York Yankees-

LF Brett Gardner
3B Yangervis Solarte (didn't resign Scott Sizemore)
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
1B Mark Teixera
C Brian McCann
RF Carlos Beltran
DH- Alex Rodriguez or Chris Young
SS Stephen Drew
2B Corban Joseph/Dean Anna