MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

[BlueJays09]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

May is currently coming to a close and the Blue Jays have a 1.0 game lead over the Yankees for first in the AL East. The 36-21 Blue Jays have shown that they are ready to the take the next step and contend. The Yankees (35-22, 1 GB) did not have Judge or Stanton to start the season, but have been very hot over the last few weeks since returning to full health. Boston (33-25, 3 GB) have also had a very nice start to the season. It looks like it will be a very tough race for the division title. Tampa (27-32, 10 GB) had a very poor month of April, but have started to pick things up in May. Baltimore (24-33, 12 GB) have been better than expected, but are not likely to contend.

The Blue Jays are 2nd in BA, 1st in Runs, 2nd in Hits, 2nd in doubles and 1st in Home Runs / RBI. This has undoubtedly been the reason for their early success. Their 2nd year players are blossoming into stars, while Teoscar Hernandez, Randal Grichuck and Rowdy Tellez have all started to show why the team valued their so high. Lets look at some offensive stats:

Bo Bichette - .327/.385/.531 9 HR, 21 RBI, 42 R, 12 SB
Randal Grichuck - .290/.366/.684 16 HR, 31 RBI 35 R
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. - .302/.353/.536 12 HR, 41 RBI, 32 R
Vlad Guerrero Jr. - .311/.374/.633 16 HR, 35 RBI, 29 R
Rowdy Tellez - .274/.309/.598 14 HR, 29 RBI, 24 R
Teoscar Hernandez - .278/.336/.598 19 HR, 41 RBI, 33 R, 3 SB
Cavan Biggio - .246/.319/.531 8 HR, 26 RBI, 18 R, 5 SB
Brandon Drury - .265/.333/.521 7 HR, 14 RBI, 19 R
Travis Shaw - .211/.304/.422 6 HR, 12 RBI, 17 R
Danny Jansen - .224/.281/.424 7HR 15 RBI 16 R
Billy McKinney - .307/.358/.544 6 HR, 14 RBI, 17 R
Anthony Alford - .224/.316/.286 1 HR 6 RBI, 5 R, 4 SB

NEXT UPDATE - Pitching and a breaking trade

[cnelly4]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

I've simmed a ton of franchises and saw a trade recently that made me want to start one with the Cardinals.. the cards traded Kolton Wong to the Twins for Luis Arraez and Mitch Garver (Yadier was out for the year when the Cardinals made the trade).. I was wondering if most people thought this was a realistic trade

Arraez and Garver both have multiple years of team control, plus they are both starters. I don't think this is a realistic trade at all.

[decga]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Arraez and Garver both have multiple years of team control, plus they are both starters. I don't think this is a realistic trade at all.

Funny! You are a Twins guy through & through. Even virtually don't screw with your Twins. Love it!

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

I hate that for you dude! But when your team is reeling, it is a deflating feeling going down early every game. It brings out the realism if the game from a manager perspective.

Sent from my LM-X210(G) using Operation Sports mobile app

Yeah it sucked. I was really thinking we could get back to the Fall Classic this year, but to get swept in the NLDS is just frustrating.

Oh well...time to see what we can do to get back in 2026!

[decga]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

I am feeling the Dodger Blues!

They just left Atlanta and took a piece of my tail with them. I can't be mad. They came in on a 7 game winning streak and extended it to 10! They have the second best record(85-41) in baseball behind the Astros (86-40). No shame in getting swept by a way better team. The bad thing is the 3 game sweep, which extended my losing streak to 4 gms. I am now 72-55, 3.5GB of the NYM, 0.5GB up in the WC on the white hott D-Backs (71-55) & 1.5GB up on the Nats that can push me out of Postseason play.

Game 1 gave me hope. My SP Newcomb got ran after 4.1IP,6ER,6R,3BB & 5K. Putting my offense in a deep hole thru 5 innings 6-0. Top of 7th the Dodgers at 3 more runs, making it 9-0. SP Ryu was the benefactor of this awesome run support. But I didn't give up We scored 4 times off Ryu in the bttm of the 7th & got to their bullpen for 5 runs in the bttm of the 8th. It was just too much to overcome, I ended losing 11-9!

Game 2 & 3: My starting pitching was outmatched. Both of my SP's Folty & Soroka gave 5ER each, so my offense was down early in both games. I could mustard up a run against SP Kershaw & Buehler.... Game 2 lost 7-1 & game 3 lost 6-1!

I am gladly taking the off day before facing the Marlins @Truist Park for the final 3 game set of a 9 game home stand. Which I am a prudery 1-5 thru 6 gms played.

In Team moves:
I re-signed C Brian McCann to a 2yr/6.20M extension. Although he is 35yrs old, he is producing: 301AB/.296/.339/.515/.853, 15HR,41RBI in a platoon role.

I also re-signed RP Alex Claudio to a 2yr/6.07M extension avoiding arbitration. I got him in a trade with the Brew Crew. He came to us with a ERA of 2 and it has dropped to 1.97 in 10 appearances. A lefty with a funky delivery, mostly definitely locking him down.

[decga]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Fella's I hate to say this but this might be what we got for our "Boys of Summer"!
2020 the year of virtual MLB gaming. I have enjoyed and appreciated sharing my franchise experience with you good people. Thank you Operation Sports.

Hopefully we will get some MLB going soon, but if not we got this!

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

2025 Postseason Results

[Rocket32]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

2025 Postseason Results

Back in the playoffs just for it end that quick! That’s rough. Goodluck next year!

Gotta say I do like that A’s ALCS sweep though.

[DJ]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

2025 Postseason Results

Feel for you, CB. I've had 2 of my 3 completed seasons in my Mets franchise end in the NLDS. Hopefully 2026 will see an even stronger team emerge in St. Louis.

[MightyMaxxx13]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

PITTSBURGH PIRATES FRANCHISE

May 26, 2020

The Pirates have secured their first winning homestand of the season, taking 2 of 3 from the Cubs then splitting a 4-game set with the Giants. The Buccos are 9-4 against the Cubs this year and 0-9 against the rest of the division. We’ll get a chance to improve that mark as the next 12 games will be against the Reds and Cardinals. Reds have the best record in baseball at 39-14. Cardinals have the worst record in baseball at 18-37.

That puts the Buccos at 27-26. The team has been carried by the lineup so far. We (surprisingly)rank at the top of the NL in several offensive categories:

.272 batting average (1st)
244 runs (4th)
498 hits (1st)
115 doubles (1st)
342 strikeouts (fewest in MLB)

The team also ranks dead last in the majors in stolen bases (17 as a team) and has the highest ERA in the National League (4.93).

So all of that put together makes for a team that is gritty enough to put the ball in play and win games. And occasionally our pitching gets shelled, hard. Despite the winning record we carry a -35 run differential, by far the worst of any +.500 team in the majors.

Josh Bell has taken his game to another level this season. He’s slashing .299/.393/.652 with 18 HR’s, which leads all of baseball. He’s primed to make a run at the MVP award and bang us over the head for a few extra millions in his second year of arbitration this winter.

Kevin Newman, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Cole Tucker are all turning out solid seasons as well and all 3 rank in the top-10 in the NL in doubles.

If this team gets some competent pitching it has some potential.

Our training staff is to be commended, as we’ve almost completely avoided the injury bug this year. The one notable exception being top prospect Travis Swaggerty, who is set to return to game action this week after making a quick recovery from a broken leg.

We’re 8 days away from the draft. The first one is huge in a rebuild, though I must say this team is much closer to relevance than I initially thought.

TRANSACTIONS

We released RHP MONTANA DURAPAU, who struggled to a +7 ERA in the AAA Indianapolis bullpen.

We’ve acquired 24-YO RHP BAILEY OBER from the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations.
The 6’9” 260 lb Ober was a 12th round pick in 2017 out of the College of Charleston and will slide into the rotation at AA Altoona.

The AA Altoona Curve sit atop their division with a 25-19 record.

LHP BRANDON WADDELL made his first MLB start against the Giants, with a very solid line (6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K). He didn’t factor in the decision, as we won on a 13th-inning walkoff homer from Josh Bell.

RHP JOE MUSGROVE has pitched two dominant outings in AAA as he attempts to reclaim some effectiveness after a terrible start to the season. He’ll be back shortly, with RHP CHAD KUHL (6.80 ERA in 43.2 IP) likely the odd man out this time.

[cnelly4]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Rosario Powers Twins Past Sox
Left fielder homers three times in win

May 20, 2020
Minneapolis--- For the second time in his career, Eddie Rosario had a three-homer night, leading to the Minnesota Twins defeating the Chicago White Sox 5-4 on Thursday night at Target Field.

“The last time I did this, it was a big blowout,” commented an ecstatic Rosario. “This one, every homerun meant something.”

Rosario’s last blast came in the bottom of the eighth and broke a 4-4 tie.

All three of Rosario’s homeruns were of the solo type, as were the Twins' other two runs. Max Kepler and Mitch Garver also went yard with no one on base as the Twins early season power surge continued.

Through 51 games, the Twins now have 110 homeruns, which is 2.16 homeruns per game. Their record-breaking 307 homeruns last year led to a 1.90 homerun per game clip. We could see history in the making again this year from ‘Bomba Town.’

On the mound, Michael Pineda made his third start of the year, as it was better than his first two. He completed six innings allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and no walks. He did have three strikeouts but did not figure into the decision. Trevor May (2-0) picked up the win late and Taylor Rogers completed his ninth save of the season.

The Twins and White Sox will match up for game two tomorrow night. Homer Bailey (7-1, 2.70) is looking for win number eight, while Lucas Giolito (4-3, 3.88) will look to provide an ace-quality start for Chicago. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM.

[cnelly4]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

White Sox Hot Bats Top Twins
Rogers gives up four runs in ninth

May 22, 2020
Minneapolis--- The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins combined for 19 runs on 31 hits but it was Chicago that scored four times off Taylor Rogers in the ninth to win the ballgame 11-8.

Offense was the name of the game today, and Nomar Mazara was the leader for Chicago. He went four-for-five with four RBI on the night. Rookie second baseman Nick Madrigal also helped the cause with three hits for the White Sox.

For Minnesota, they erased an early 5-0 deficit with four runs in the third inning and four more in the fourth. Eddie Rosario was once again the leader, going two-for-three with a two-run inside the park homerun. Max Kepler and Nelson Cruz also homered in the contest but homeruns don’t always win you ballgames.

“We have to figure out ways to produce runs other than the longball,” commented manager Rocco Baldelli. “We had chances to drive in runs tonight and we let them stay in the ballgame and this is what happens when you let good teams hang around.”

Minnesota left the bases loaded in the sixth, just after the White Sox scored two to make it a one-run game.

Neither starter fared well in this one. Lucas Giolito exited after three and two-thirds innings, allowing eight runs, while Twins starter Homer Bailey lasted just four innings allowing five runs. Neither pitcher figured in the decision.

The Twins-White Sox rivalry will continue tomorrow as game three of four will be played Saturday afternoon. The White Sox will send out lefty Dallas Keuchel (5-2, 2.63) and Minnesota will counter with Jhoulys Chacin (5-2, 4.47).

[DJ]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Something clicked a few days ago for me and I've re-invested in my New York Mets carryover Franchise. We're in 2021 and as I mentioned in a reply to CB, the Mets have fallen in the NLDS in 2 of the 3 completed seasons since 2018. Sandwiched in between is a World Series victory.

After the 2020 NLDS loss, I decided to remake the roster, which mostly consisted of letting go of players 30-plus (even high-producing ones like Yoenis Cespedes, Todd Frazier, Asdrubal Cabrera and Jay Bruce) to create space for either our prospects to move into the starting lineup or to sign younger FA's. Here's what the team looks like:

2021 New York Mets
C - Travis d'Arnaud
1B - Pete Alonso
2B - Jeff McNeil
SS - Amed Rosario
3B - Marwin Gonzalez / Wilmer Flores
LF - Michael Conforto
CF - Randal Grichuk
RF - Mookie Betts

Bench - Brandon Nimmo, Chris Owings, Tomas Nido, Clint Frazier

SP - Noah Syndergaard
SP - Jacob deGrom
SP - Steven Matz
SP - Robert Gsellman
SP - Jakob Junis

LRP - Zack Wheeler
LRP - Seth Lugo
MRP - Jerry Blevins
MRP - Hector Rondon
MRP - Paul Sewald
Setup - Sean Doolittle
Setup - Hansel Robles
Closer - Jeurys Familia

Off to a 4-2 start on the season. Won 3 of 4 against San Diego and have split a pair of games with the Braves.

[Jayyoungjr]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

To start the 2021 campaign, the Cubs were fighting the Reds for first place in the central as the two squads were within a game of each other. The Brewers were in a distant third but sitting in contention for the wildcard. Dee Gordon proved to be a great pick up as he was batting over .330 in the first two months of the season and provided speed on the basepaths that the clubs were lacking. With Rizzo off to a slow start he was dropped in the lineup as Gordon moved up to second to capitalize on Bryant and Gordon's ability to get on base. Yu Darvis was able to recapture form in the 2021 season as he was able to stay healthy, winning his 5 of his first 6 starts. Andrew Miller struggled to find form as he gave up too many walks and long balls posting a ERA well over 5 heading into May. Nico Hoerner also struggled at the plate as he was hitting under .150. The north siders weighed optioning him down to AAA to find his bat but ultimately decided to keep his glove to help in late innings as Howie Kendrick showed his age when in the field giving up hits due to his lack of range.
As the season rolled along the Cubs were able to pull away from the Brewers and Reds as they went on a tear. Wilson Contreas led the way as he led the NL in home runs with Schwarber not far behind. The Cubs catcher also led the way in batting average as he went into the all star game with a .346 average that also was the best in the NL. Rookie two way player Oscar Colas was also able to take advantage of Jason Heyward's injury & Ian Happ and Albert Almora’s subpar showing as a RF platoon. Heyward was hitting .270 before he was bit with the injury bug that took him out in mid May until July. With a 4 game lead in the central, the lefty posted positive results playing the field against right handers; at season’s close he ended up with hitting .281 with 30 home runs. The cubs again had two players represent them in the homerun Derby as Kyle Schwarber and Wilson Contreas got the nod. The Cubs also had 4 All Star Selections as Contreas, Darvish, Bryant, & Hendricks made the NL Roster. Chicago again looked to strengthen the club at the deadline. With Colas showing the potential to play right field along with pitching, the cubs pulled the trigger in a move that sent Adbert alzolay Jason Heyward and another prospect for AJ Puk. that Iowa native had struggled to find his footing on the big league level as he posted a 5.5 ERA and had struggled to stay healthy. The Cubs looked to take a flyer on the big lefty hoping that the move back to the midwest would help him live up to his potential.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals have decisions to make in offseason

The 2025 season came to an abrupt end for the Cardinals after being swept by the Marlins in the NLDS. Now their attention will turn to the offseason and look to return to the postseason in 2026 and hopefully back to the Fall Classic.

Where did it go wrong for the Cardinals? The first thing many will look at is that the offense was disrupted when Juan Fabregas was lost to a torn achillies tendon. His bat in the 5th spot of the lineup was sorely missed especially in the playoffs, although Dylan Carlson played well in his absence, he doesn't have the pop that could generate 40 homeruns and 100 RBI's, nor the speed and base stealing ability to swipe 25-30 bases a year. So many will look for the Cardinals to make Juan Fabregas a key offseason resigning this winter, but it won't come cheap. Fabregas is looking for about $22M per year and a lengthy contract. The Cardinals certainly can afford that, but they have other key free agents to look at re-signing as well, most notably Harrison Bader who is coming off his best professional year.

Bader finished 2nd on the team in hits and was a consistent .285 hitter most of the year until a late season slump dropped him to .271 to end the year. But Bader is a gold glove caliber center fielder who is a prime candidate to lead off as he had an OBP of nearly .400 and swiped 51 bases this year. If the Cardinals didn't resign Bader, who is looking for roughly $17MM per year, I would be absolutely shocked. They let Magnerius Sierra go a couple of seasons ago because they believed Bader would get to this point. But if the Cardinals re-sign both Bader and Fabregas then what happens with Jo Adell and Dylan Carlson?

Jo Adell is a project that the Cardinals may be finished working on. The kid has all the tools to be an all-star or even MVP, but his lack of consistency at the plate and high strike out totals really leave something to be desired. But he's 26 years old, under contract for 2 more seasons for cheap, and would be really hard to move on from.

Dylan Carlson is also under team control and is definitely a guy who deserves to be in the everyday lineup at one of the 3 outfield positions. His lack of arm strength makes right field not a primary choice, but if he is to stay with the Cardinals that may be where he plays in 2026. Carlson is a primary candidate to be the number 2 hitter on this club behind a Bader and in front of a Brendan McKay. He hit .290 to finish the season with 10 homeruns and 57 RBI's. He isn't a base stealer but being a switch hitter who controls the bat well from both sides of the plate, he's perfect for hit and run situations, something the Cardinals are looking to get back to, playing small ball and manufacturing more runs instead of relying on the big bats to deliver big hits.

The infield is another puzzle the Cardinals must piece together. Brendan McKay is a lock at first base. But the other 3 positions, nothing concrete at any of those spots.

The Cardinals want Kolten Wong back at 2nd, but Kolten Wong wants to get paid, and rightfully so I guess after leading the majors with 119 walks batting in the number 8 spot. His average was .258 and he hit 13 homeruns with 63 RBI's, but Wong is still a solid defender who gets on base and flips the lineup. There really isn't a replacement on the roster, aside from Tommy Edman and Edman isn't ready for an everyday role.

Paul DeJong seemed like a strong fit for shortstop, but lost his job late in the year to Chris Taylor and Samuel Franco, only to regain it in the final week of the season and the postseason. DeJong was asked to hit 2nd in this lineup and that's not a comfortable spot for him. When Carlson moved to the #2 spot and DeJong moved to 5th, his offense got better. Still, his defense is solid and his bat in the lineup is decent, but there are better options.

Samuel Franco is the man the Cardinals are waiting to take that spot but feel he is still one year away from doing so. The Cardinals would like to let him play in Memphis for a full season and really see how he handles himself in that role. He has the ability to be a gold glove shortstop, but his bat hasn't caught up to his defense, although he showed flashes and is a switch hitter. He's best suited to be a bottom of the order hitter that is relied upon for defense instead of offense.

Anthony Rendon was a great filler at 3rd base after Patrick Wisdom shocked the organization and signed with the Orioles in the offseason. But Rendon was just that, a filler. While he produced, the Cardinals are expected to give Nolan Gorman the reigns at 3rd base as keeping him at Memphis isn't an option nor pays any dividends. So Gorman will likely get every opportunity to be the everyday 3rd baseman and don't expect the Cardinals to provide much competition. He's under control for 3 more years, so giving him the reigns early will dictate what they do with him going forward.

Catcher is probably the one spot the Cardinals are sure about, as its expected they will let Andrew Knizner and Devon Snow continue to platoon behind the dish going with the hot hand throughout the season, much like they did in July after the break and it worked out well. Snow isn't ready to be an everyday catcher, but doesn't benefit really from being at Memphis either. So expect the Cardinals to keep the pair together and they seem to thrive in this setting as Knizner had a career year hitting .315 with 5 homeruns and 41 RBI's. Snow hit just .220 but belted 11 homeruns and drove in 56 on the year.

The rotation will get tricky as well as the Cardinals must decide what to do with Carlos Martinez (free agent) as well Michael Wacha who is making $14MM this year and the Cardinals will likely want to remove that salary from their books to re-sign the likes of Fabregas and Bader, as possibly Wong. The Cardinals signed Jack Flaherty to a big multi year contract last year and aren't going to move on after one season where he was consistently, inconsistent, but was arguably the 2nd best pitcher in the rotation. Junior Fernandez will remain in the rotation and expect Dakota Hudson to get a strong look after a solid performance after returning from early season shoulder injury. Martinez could be moved to the bullpen as a long reliever, something the Cardinals currently don't have and Wacha could be moved as the Cardinals seek a left handed starter, something they have coveted for years.

Who knows what will happen with the bullpen. The Cardinals seem to have a plan in Spring and completely have something different in the summer. I expect Zack Burdi, Jordan Hicks, and Corey Littrell to remain. After that, who knows. Tyler Jay, Robby Scott, Adam Cimber, Roberto Osuna, and Greg Holland could all be brought back or moved on from. Cardinals will look to see what both the free agent and the trade market hold in regards to the bullpen before really committing to anyone at this point.

So there are the questions and decisions facing the Cardinals as the offseason begins. What they do, who knows. Everyone has a plan, then someone ends up on the market you didn't expect and suddenly you're making new plans. And then those plans get scrapped for a new plan, and so on and so forth.

Let the negotiating and the re-loading begin.