MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

**SoxSoxSox** · 10-20-2018, 10:42 AM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Originally posted by countryboy

Blockbuster deal stirring in St.Louis?

Are the Cardinals on the brink of a blockbuster trade this offseason?

Reports are coming out that the Phillies have made an offer to the Cardinals, that St.Louis will have to at least consider. The proposal?

Bryce Harper

FOR

SP Alex Reyes
RF George Springer
CF Magnerius Sierra

The Cardinals just signed Springer a few weeks ago. Sierra has been in discussion as being traded. Alex Reyes hasn't developed as quickly as the Cardinals had hoped, but he's still 26 and in discussion as being the team's 5th starter when the season starts.

Bryce Harper was brought into Philadelphia 2 years ago as the Phillies hoped to attract more big time free agents to join him and quickly build a contending team, but that hasn't happened. Going on the 3rd year of Harper's mega deal, the Phillies are bascially in rebuilding state. While Springer wouldn't be a rebuilding piece, he is notably cheaper on the books than Harper and could be traded again. With Sierra and Reyes, the Phillies would have 2 key pieces in rebuilding their club. Also, Reyes is out of option years, so if the Cardinals don't keep him on the big league club after Spring Training, they run the risk of losing him for nothing.

BUT.......do the Cardinals want to make that type of financial commitment to Harper? Harper is still owed $146.3M over the next 5 years. While with his age and production that isn't an outrageous contract, the Cardinals have to remember they have some of their own notable free agents coming up in that time span (Wacha, Wong, Bader) just to name a few. Having said that, Springer, Reyes, and Sierra's contract would cover Harper's money owed for this season and next. Plus the Cardinals still are looking to unload Lynn's $9+M per year this offseason.

I am not sure what the Cardinals do here. As always the offseason is extremely unpredictable as you never know what is going to happen and plans seem to change, or at least have to be reviewed, week to week as the market changes.

Do the Cardinals stick with Springer and their plan when they signed him, or do they trade for arguably one of the Top 5 player's in the game today, knowing he's locked up for the next 5 years?

Decisions, decisions.

REALLY looking forward to seeing what you do here. I personally would strongly lean towards keeping those three you offer (Springer, Reyes, Sierra), because you can never have too much starting pitching, Sierra seems (idk much about most other teams' depth charts but I've heard the name) like at least a good 4th OF, and while Springer is no Trout, he's still Springer, and he's an upgrade on almost any team he signs with.

**SoxSoxSox** · 10-20-2018, 10:51 AM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Went back home and started another file with the Red Sox. Using OSFM Opening Day since that's when I started the file, so no Pearce, Eovaldi, Kinsler.

I went 5-1 on the opening Tampa Bay/Miami road trip, including a sweep of the Rays. Came home and dropped 5 in a row, 3 Rays and 2 Yankees.

Really interesting how the narrative flipped but I attribute it to my pitching taking a turn. I use Armor and Sword's settings on All-Star, and I use the pitching based on what the catcher calls, but sometimes with the camera angle the pitcher's head is in the way of his signal so I kinda just started ignoring the catcher and throwing what I wanted. Been giving up more HR and runs at Fenway.

Platooning Nunez and Devers at third, Moreland and Ramirez at first, Leon and Vazquez at catcher. Outfield is what you'd expect, as is short and second (Pedroia not hurt here). If anyone breaks out, I'll adjust the playing time accordingly. Same goes for batting order. Last time I ran the Sox JBJ was hitting ninth and got hot so I moved him to second behind Mookie.

Rotation is Sale, Price, Porcello, Rodriguez, Wright.

I try not to let the real life season affect how I run things in my franchise, but Pomeranz just soured me so bad that I didn't want to use him. Also, I like using Wright in the game, so I gave him a spot.

**countryboy** · 10-21-2018, 06:40 PM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals sign Kike Hernandez to a 2 year deal

In an attempt better there bench, the Cardinals have signed utility player Kike Hernandez to a 2 year deal worth $10M. There is a player option for the 2nd year.

The Cardinals felt the need to improve their bench this year and feel that adding Hernandez will do just that. Hernandez .319 last year with the Dodgers and is a career .291 hitter. Hernandez can play all over the diamond

With this signing, it's pretty much a fore gone conclusion that the Cardinals will be moving Aledmys Diaz, as was expected heading into the offseason. Diaz doesn't want to be a platoon/bench player anymore, and is looking to land somewhere he can be an everyday player. That place isn't St.Louis.

**countryboy** · 10-21-2018, 07:11 PM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals and Yankees agree to a deal involving Oscar Mercado

Well...we all pretty much knew that Oscar Mercado was going to be dealt this offseason as the Cardinals look to undo the log jam they have in the outfield. And today they made that move, while improving the depth of their bullpen.

The Cardinals send Oscar Mercado to the Yankees in exchange for left handed reliever Caleb Frare. Frare is 26 years old and will most likely start the season at Springfield (Double A). The biggest get in this for the Cardinals is that Frare is a left handed reliever, which the Cardinals sorely need in their organization.

Oscar Mercado was given opportunities to stick at the big league level, but he just didn't pan out. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good..as it worked for former Cardinal Corey Ray who is expected to the be the everyday left fielder in the Bronx this season.

**CHIBHAWKSRULE** · 10-23-2018, 10:55 AM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

The 2019 White Sox are ready to begin the season. We didn't make any moves in the off-season except for signing Jon Jay for some outfield depth.

We had to replace our hitting coach and fired our pitching coach after finishing in the bottom of the league in pitching last season.

Only competition we really had in spring training was the 5th spot in the rotation, backup catcher, and another bench spot. Top pitching prospect Michael Kopech took the 5th spot in the rotation after a fantastic spring, Dustin Garneau took the backup catcher and Johnny Giavotella took the last spot on the bench.

Also of note top Prospect Eloy Jimenez will be in the starting lineup on opening day.

Opening Day Lineups and Bench

Spoiler

Rotation and Bullpen

Spoiler

We hope to contend for a Wild Card spot but may be a tough challenge as we expect the Cleveland Indians bounce back after missing the playoffs and the AL pennant winning Minnesota Twins to compete again as well as the other playoff teams from last year in the AL.

**countryboy** · 10-23-2018, 05:12 PM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Originally posted by CHIBHAWKSRULE

The 2019 White Sox are ready to begin the season. We didn't make any moves in the off-season except for signing Jon Jay for some outfield depth.

We had to replace our hitting coach and fired our pitching coach after finishing in the bottom of the league in pitching last season.

Only competition we really had in spring training was the 5th spot in the rotation, backup catcher, and another bench spot. Top pitching prospect Michael Kopech took the 5th spot in the rotation after a fantastic spring, Dustin Garneau took the backup catcher and Johnny Giavotella took the last spot on the bench.

Also of note top Prospect Eloy Jimenez will be in the starting lineup on opening day.

Opening Day Lineups and Bench

Spoiler

Rotation and Bullpen

Spoiler

We hope to contend for a Wild Card spot but may be a tough challenge as we expect the Cleveland Indians bounce back after missing the playoffs and the AL pennant winning Minnesota Twins to compete again as well as the other playoff teams from last year in the AL.

Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

**countryboy** · 10-23-2018, 07:56 PM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals don't make a selection in the Rule 5 Draft...Lose Drew Harrington

The Rule 5 Draft has come and gone, and the Cardinals, as expected, didn't make a selection. They did however, lose a player. The Toronto Blue Jays selected LHP Drew Harrington from the Cardinals with the 17th pick of the 1st round.

Losing Drew Harrington is a bit of blow to an organization that has coveted left handed pitching. But they failed to protect him and so they will have to continue to scour the market to find a replacement.

The Cardinals will continue to work on filling out their organizational roster. Look for more moves to be made in the coming weeks.

**Itsma806** · 10-24-2018, 12:29 AM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

2023 Chicago White Sox All Star Break Update

OVERALL RECORD:
66-31 (1st in AL Central)

Record Since Last Update:
24-15

Series Results
VS. Milwaukee 0-3
@ Minnesota 2-1
@ Boston 2-1
VS. Cleveland 3-1
VS. Detroit 2-1
@ Cleveland 1-2
VS. Oakland 2-2
VS. Minnesota 2-1
@ Texas 2-1
@ Cincinnati 1-2
@ Houston 4-0
VS. ST Louis 1-1
VS. Kansas City 2-1

STANDINGS

Spoiler

OVERVIEW
The home run derby came down to two White Sox Vs two Dodgers. Michael Conforto would defeat Kyle Seager and Rhys Hoskins would defeat Cody Bellinger. The final round saw the White Sox two best power hitters battle it out and Rhys Hoskins proved to be too much for team mate Michael Conforto.

Rhys Hoskins wins the 2023 home run derby and has continued his dominance in the White Sox lineup. To this point in the season, he leads the AL in BA (.340) and home runs (30) although Conforto isnt far behind (28)

Through the middle part of July, the Sox have the AL Central pretty well in hand with a 13 game lead over the second place Indians. The White Sox will look to the second half of the season to further distance themselves and claim then#1 seed in the AL for the playoffs as they look to defend their 2022 world series victory.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
A New Segmant I'll be adding to all of my updates. This segmant will highlight a player on the White Sox roster

Rhys Hoskins 30 year old 92 OVR LF

Career Stats
811 Games played/498 Runs/894 Hits/232 HR/623 RBI/.289 AVG

Rhys Hoskins was the 2022 American League MVP. He came to to the White Sox via trade in 2021 from the Houston Astros.

In 2022 he led the majors in HR (58) and RBI (146). He also posted the best average of his career (.315) with his previous best (.283) coming in 2020 with the Astros and 2021, a year he split between the Stros and Sox.

Hoskins has become a staple in the White Sox organization and will be a free agent at the end of this season. He expects a salary of 19.8 mil and is currently playing at a bargain 7.4 mil. The White Sox will try to bring him back, however, it will be tough as another super star, Yoan Moncada will also be a free agent and is expecting 31 MIL/YR.

Top Players in the league m
Another new segment will look at top players in the league (97+ OVR) and where they are in their careers

Chicago White Sox
Tim Anderson 29 YO 98 OVR SS
.297 AVG/19 HR/56 RBI

Cleveland Indians
Francisco Lindor 29 YO 97 OVR SS
.311 AVG/19 HR/65 RBI

Oakland Athletics
Michael Fulmer 30 YO 98 OVR SP
5-8/3.01 ERA/110 SO

Houston Astros
Alex Bregman 29 YO 99 OVR 3B
.297 AVG/14 HR/59 RBI
Sean Manaea 31 YO 99 OVR SP
7-5/3.16 ERA/114 SO

Milwaukee Brewers
Alex Reyes 28 YO 99 OVR SP
8-6/3.44 ERA/135 SO

Josh Hader 28 YO 99 OVR RP
0-3/2.20 ERA/40 SO

Los Angeles Dodgers
Corey Seager 28 YO 99 OVR SS
.315 AVG/34 HR/72 RBI
Julius Urias 26 YO 98 OVR SP
11-3/3.80 ERA/125 SO

San Francisco Giants
Carlos Correa 28 YO 99 OVR SS
.290 AVG/22 HR/69 RBI

Boston Red Sox
Andrew Benintendi 28 YO 98 OVR LF
.328 AVG/19 HR/63 RBI

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

**countryboy** · 10-24-2018, 09:52 AM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

George Springer or Bryce Harper...Cardinals must decide

George Springer or Bryce Harper? That is the multi-million dollar question facing the Cardinals front office here in December. Who do you prefer to be your everyday right fielder for the next 4 or 5 years while you work on developing a successor? Tough decision to make, but one that I think any of the 29 other clubs would be thrilled to have face them this offseason.

The Cardinals signed George Springer within the first 5 days of free agency. Springer didn't hesitate, jumping at the chance to play for the Cardinals, or so it seemed. He had other offers, but he immediately signed with the Cardinals, not driving up his price, he signed immediately. Springer is 31 years old, and agreed to a 4 year deal.

Then the unthinkable happened. The Phillies who are just looking to tear down and start over, called up the Cardinals with a proposal. Bryce Harper for Springer, Alex Reyes, and Magnerius Sierra. Harper is 28 and signed for the next 5 years. Harper is still in his prime, and Harper is one of the Top 5 players in the game today.

So what do the Cardinals do? They came into the offseason thinking that Stephen Piscotty would be the everyday right fielder, but that isn't happening. Piscotty, fair or not, has been replaced. What happens with him remains to be seen. But the Cardinals were presented with two options they never dreamed would be on the table, George Springer and Bryce Harper.

The trade package for Harper isn't something the Cardinals would absolutely turn down, as they just signed Springer, and Alex Reyes and Magnerius Sierra are expendable considering they have seemingly been passed up (Luke Weaver/Kyle Funkhouser over Reyes and Harrison Bader over Sierra). The money is not an issue as the Cardinals have plenty of available payroll and the trade package to Harper would offset most of his yearly salary.

So it simply comes down to who do the Cardinals want, Springer or Harper? Going to be interesting to see what they decide as the offseason continues. But if they wait too long will the trade still be available? We are already seeing teams start to trade as the market is pretty much laid out. If they decide now, then they can look at how to restructure their organizational roster based on the loss of Sierra and Reyes.

Harper or Springer? The multi-million dollar question in St.Louis.

DJ · 10-24-2018, 11:16 AM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Originally posted by countryboy

George Springer or Bryce Harper...Cardinals must decide

George Springer or Bryce Harper? That is the multi-million dollar question facing the Cardinals front office here in December. Who do you prefer to be your everyday right fielder for the next 4 or 5 years while you work on developing a successor? Tough decision to make, but one that I think any of the 29 other clubs would be thrilled to have face them this offseason.

The Cardinals signed George Springer within the first 5 days of free agency. Springer didn't hesitate, jumping at the chance to play for the Cardinals, or so it seemed. He had other offers, but he immediately signed with the Cardinals, not driving up his price, he signed immediately. Springer is 31 years old, and agreed to a 4 year deal.

Then the unthinkable happened. The Phillies who are just looking to tear down and start over, called up the Cardinals with a proposal. Bryce Harper for Springer, Alex Reyes, and Magnerius Sierra. Harper is 28 and signed for the next 5 years. Harper is still in his prime, and Harper is one of the Top 5 players in the game today.

So what do the Cardinals do? They came into the offseason thinking that Stephen Piscotty would be the everyday right fielder, but that isn't happening. Piscotty, fair or not, has been replaced. What happens with him remains to be seen. But the Cardinals were presented with two options they never dreamed would be on the table, George Springer and Bryce Harper.

The trade package for Harper isn't something the Cardinals would absolutely turn down, as they just signed Springer, and Alex Reyes and Magnerius Sierra are expendable considering they have seemingly been passed up (Luke Weaver/Kyle Funkhouser over Reyes and Harrison Bader over Sierra). The money is not an issue as the Cardinals have plenty of available payroll and the trade package to Harper would offset most of his yearly salary.

So it simply comes down to who do the Cardinals want, Springer or Harper? Going to be interesting to see what they decide as the offseason continues. But if they wait too long will the trade still be available? We are already seeing teams start to trade as the market is pretty much laid out. If they decide now, then they can look at how to restructure their organizational roster based on the loss of Sierra and Reyes.

Harper or Springer? The multi-million dollar question in St.Louis.

Wow.

I like George Springer, but Harper is an absolute game-changer, especially in The Show.

**RogerDodger** · 10-25-2018, 08:06 AM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I've just reached the waiver trade deadline and I made one move because we're four games from the second Wild Card spot (which the Cubs own). I picked up 2B Castro from the Marlins for Forsythe and Verdugo who is a B rated prospect. Marlins were in rebuild mode and needed a CF so it worked out that the balance was in their favour. Win-win for both clubs.

**CHIBHAWKSRULE** · 10-26-2018, 06:30 PM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

The 2019 White Sox have been up and down start to the season through April with a 15-15 record still good for 2nd place in the division 3 games behind Cleveland.

Offense has been mediocre to start the season but still bit better than the offense started last season. Ranked 17th in Baseball in avg, Tied for 15th in Runs scored and tied for 19th in Homers. Welington Castillo leading team in hitting at .359, also clubbing 4 HRs and 18 RBIs. Eloy Jimenez leading the team with 5 Homers and second on the team in RBIs with 19 while hitting .267.

Pitching has been an improvement from last year for sure. Ranked 9th in baseball as a team with an ERA of 3.10. Tied for 8th in homers allowed with 26. Not striking out many as we are tied for 18th in K's at 236 as a team.

Our second pick in last seasons draft, Left Handed starting pitcher Kevin DiBiase having a nice start to his professional career in AA Birmingham going 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA and 26 K's.

DJ · 10-26-2018, 10:48 PM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I'm in mid-May 2019 in my Mets franchise. Not playing as much as a couple of months ago due to travel and checking out other games, but still trying to stay connected to this season.

Offense has been scuffling the last 5 games, only getting more than 8 hits once and held to under 4 three times. Still in first place in the division by 1.5 games.

**dowie** · 10-27-2018, 04:34 PM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Originally posted by countryboy

Cardinals don't make a selection in the Rule 5 Draft...Lose Drew Harrington

The Rule 5 Draft has come and gone, and the Cardinals, as expected, didn't make a selection. They did however, lose a player. The Toronto Blue Jays selected LHP Drew Harrington from the Cardinals with the 17th pick of the 1st round.

Losing Drew Harrington is a bit of blow to an organization that has coveted left handed pitching. But they failed to protect him and so they will have to continue to scour the market to find a replacement.

The Cardinals will continue to work on filling out their organizational roster. Look for more moves to be made in the coming weeks.

Hey CB - how do you know what players (in your organization) are eligible for the Rule V draft?

Thanks - Dowie

**jvalverde88** · 10-27-2018, 05:51 PM

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Season ended and I had to play game 163 against the Nats, we're both tied a top the NL East. I skipped DeGrom's start just so I can start him for the Wild Card, decided to start him for this game. Starting the guy who most likely is going to win both the NL Cy Young and NL MVP is a no brainer. I wound up beating Gio Gonzalez and Nats 4-1, DeGrom pitched 7 innings striking out 8.

End of season pics:

Spoiler

MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

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