MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

[kinsmen7]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Hey all, I’m not new to the forum I used to have an account but forgot the information. I just picked up MLB the show 20 and needed some help from the forum regarding franchise mode. I’ve played since ‘15 and have mostly done RTTS and franchise so it’s not new to me but I’m struggling on what team to control.

For the record, I do use 30 team control, HOF difficulty and custom sliders. I also have the popular minors roster found in vault (the name escapes me but it’s fantastic). I’ve done franchises with the Marlins, A’s, and Mets in the past. I use quick manage for a lot of games but will usually play a part in every game (this makes things go faster while I also have control over decisions made in game). I try to follow real life team budgets and play realistically regarding trades.

I wanted to hear your thoughts on some fun teams to control in the American Leage. Some that you’ve had good experiences with. Open to all ideas. I certainly don’t mind a challenge. Glad to be back on Operation Sports. Good health to all of you.

Lots of fun teams, but here's one from each division to get you going:

-Jays: It might feel like most of the heavy lifting is done with baby Vlad, Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio as the young offensive core, Ryu running the rotation, and Big Nate Pearson coming along soon, but there's work to be done developing young arms, finding a true CF, and figuring out where you're going to play Vladdy. I'd assume there'll be a post-draft ridin' roster coming out, so maybe wait for a couple of days so you can have Austin Martin...having him and Groshans in the minors will give you a couple of high end guys to keep the youth flowing.

-Mariners: Young guys that are a year or two (or three!) away, not much in the way of trade chips, and not a lot of power. Fun because they've never won the world series, have a beautiful stadium, and you'd be more successful than just about anyone since they haven't made the playoffs since baseball was broadcast in black and white.

-Twins: Lots of boom sticks, a rotation with a lot of question marks, and some good trade chips if you fall out of it early.

Honorable mention: Tigers. I really don't like 'em, mainly because of the stadium, but there's so many beauty arms coming up there (Mize, Skubal, Manning, etc. etc. etc.), that you'll just have to hunt for offense. If you wait for a day or two, you'll have Torkelson to build the offense around, and enjoy trying to set records with Miggy for the time being.

[decga]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Do you guys determine who to call up through the minors AA->AAA->MLB strictly by stats, or do you just go by ratings, or a combination of both? Me, I look at a combination of the two. If they're a 70+ and at least a B pot and at least 20 yo I'll likely look to promote them to AAA when there's an opening. UNLESS they're struggling mightily, or regressing at AA. Also, if they're older for AA, between 22-25, and are in the mid to upper 60's and are dominating, say a reliever with a 0.75 ERA with 12 K/9 or something similar, I call them to AAA. When determining who to call to the big club. If an older AAAA or career minor leaguer type is putting up great stats saya slash line of 280/350/600/950, with 15+ HR, and I have an opening on the big league club due to injury or trade I'll consider giving him the call unless I deem a top prospect is ready. If a top prospect is a 75+ and putting up great stats I'll look at giving him the call.

Conversely if a young player is struggling at the MLB level regardless of his OVR, I'll send him down. I once sent Brusdar Graderol to AAA in my Mariners franchise because his ERA was over 6 in 50+ innings and was an 86 OVR at the time, however, his struggles led to him regressing. Furthermore, He dominated AAA, 0.72 ERA in almost 50 innings with a K/9 over 15. Also, his progression got back on track and I called him back up. He ended the season with a 4.11 ERA and 210 K'S in 165 innings.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Operation Sports mobile app

For me I based it off position need... I like to steal bases, so offensively I look at the speed rating's. Bullpen arms I like the v-lo rating.

[MightyMaxxx13]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

2020 Trade Deadline Update #2

No new deals for the Pirates as of yet, but here are some of the significant deals from around the league:

Salvador Perez to Houston for RHP Rogelio Armenteros and SS Freudis Nova. We were in on Perez but passed due to the contract and asking price.

Daniel Norris to Cubs for RHP Ryan Jensen and 3B Christopher Morel

Jonathan Schoop to Yankees for RHP’s Domingo German and Albert Abreu

CJ Cron to Phillies for RHP Enyel de los Santos

Andrew Miller to Diamondbacks for 1B Kevin Cron

Daniel Murphy to Reds for 2B Tyler Callihan. Votto tore his ACL in April and has been out since.

Johnny Cueto to Yankees for RHP Jonathan Loaisiga. He’ll need a haircut.

Kevin Gausman to White Sox for C Seby Zavala.

We had an offer on the table for Joakim Soria but backed out. His ERA is below 4 but FIP above 5 and negative WAR. Peripherals scared me off. A’s decided to stick it to us by trading him to the Cubs.

Then they stuck it to us again by trading Khris Davis to the Dodgers. We really needed a power bat. The Dodgers depth is just disgusting at this point. They have the best record in the majors and are the odds-on favorites to win the World Series.

And one BIG blockbuster:

Marcus Semien to Cleveland for SS Brayan Rocchio, 1B/OF Jake Bauers and RHP James Karinchak.

The Indians hold a 2-game lead in the AL central and are now favorites to win the division with a nightmare middle infield combo of Lindor and Semien. They’re going all in to end the drought.

The A’s add another top prospect to a farm system that will rank among the best in the game after this season.

More deals to come. We are close on a deal with the Marlins that would bring Jonathan Villar to Pittsburgh. Their asking price is uncomfortably high but we’re determined to get it done.

The Rangers are 53-56 and are said to be making Corey Kluber available. He’s not having a good year but will be well sought-after I think.

I’m enjoying taking my time with the trade deadline. This is update #3.

New transactions from around the league:

Jackie Bradley Jr. to Angels
Mike Minor to Phillies
Francisco Cervelli to Rays
Robinson Chirinos to Indians
Brandon Workman to Indians

We couldn’t pry Villar from the Marlins without giving up a legit top prospect or bona-fide major leaguer. He’s still out there, so it’s not out of the question but we don’t have too many expendable assets after the Manaea trade.

We discussed Corey Kluber with the Rangers but the price is too high again. He’s having his worst season in the majors with an FIP around 4.50, basically what we’re getting from the back of our rotation now.

Deadline is winding down and we haven’t been able to add to the bullpen. I’ll give another look around the league but I may be resigned to rolling with Robbie Erlin and Steven Brault as my lefties out of the pen.

The Indians have been the clear winner at the deadline. They added Marcus Semien, Robinson Chirinos, Brandon Workman, and Yusmeiro Petit. They’re going all in.

We’re going to have a tight race in the NL Central. The Reds are 3 games ahead and have added Daniel Murphy to step in at first for the injured Joey Votto. Their lineup is already super deep.

The Cubs added Daniel Norris and Joakim Soria to their pitching staff. Budget moves, but they’re better than they were yesterday and only a game behind us.

We’re fighting off the Diamondbacks in the wild card race. They added Andrew Miller and Maikel Franco.

Our only addition was a big one (Sean Manaea). Perhaps one more move to add to the bullpen but it won’t be a blockbuster.

[Godgers12]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

For me I based it off position need... I like to steal bases, so offensively I look at the speed rating's. Bullpen arms I like the v-lo rating.

I find that too many high end high potential relief prospects in the draft have FBs that top out in the low 90's. That seems kind of unrealistic to me, starters don't seem to have that issue though. However, too many starters seem to have 95+ MPH FB's but like 35 K/9. If a pitcher is throwing 98 his K/9 should be no less than 70 to start imo.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Godgers12]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

My system is so loaded I lost 3 players in the rule 5 draft, they went picks 1-3, all pitchers. My position player depth is kind of severely lacking though.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Operation Sports mobile app

[jmcole33]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

The Amazins

Mets Lose 2-1, Pivotal Game 5 Set for Thursday
October 6, 2023

There were a lot of question marks around who the Mets would put on the bump for Game 4. Would it be Jacob deGrom, the veteran with big game experience? Would it be Robert Gsellman, who had been relegated to the bullpen late in the season? Or would it be Dakota Chalmers, a rookie with only a handful of major league starts?

In the end, the Mets went with the veteran, and deGrom did more than enough to put his team in a position to win. deGrom had 5 strikeouts and gave up just 5 hits over 6+ innings. The only blemish on his day was a home run to lead off the seventh inning by CJ Cron. Another home run by Miguel Sano in the bottom of the eighth would prove to be enough offense to force a Game 5.

Michael Conforto tried to keep the late-game magic alive with an RBI double in the top of the ninth, but it was the only run the Mets would plate all day.

The Mets season comes down to a rematch between Noah Syndergaard and Jered Si. Si and the Marlins had the upper hand in Game 1, winning 8-5. It's no secret that Syndergaard didn't pitch to his ability. The Mets are hopeful that if he does, they'll be advancing to the NLCS for the 6th straight year.


Sidebar: I really wish that the CPU would switch to a 4-man rotation in the playoffs instead of throwing their 5th starter in a Game 5. Luckily I was able to figure out a semi work-around (5th starter facing the first 3 batters), but not sure how it will effect their rotation moving forward if they advance...

[snakes2007]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Lots of fun teams, but here's one from each division to get you going:

-Jays: It might feel like most of the heavy lifting is done with baby Vlad, Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio as the young offensive core, Ryu running the rotation, and Big Nate Pearson coming along soon, but there's work to be done developing young arms, finding a true CF, and figuring out where you're going to play Vladdy. I'd assume there'll be a post-draft ridin' roster coming out, so maybe wait for a couple of days so you can have Austin Martin...having him and Groshans in the minors will give you a couple of high end guys to keep the youth flowing.

-Mariners: Young guys that are a year or two (or three!) away, not much in the way of trade chips, and not a lot of power. Fun because they've never won the world series, have a beautiful stadium, and you'd be more successful than just about anyone since they haven't made the playoffs since baseball was broadcast in black and white.

-Twins: Lots of boom sticks, a rotation with a lot of question marks, and some good trade chips if you fall out of it early.

Honorable mention: Tigers. I really don't like 'em, mainly because of the stadium, but there's so many beauty arms coming up there (Mize, Skubal, Manning, etc. etc. etc.), that you'll just have to hunt for offense. If you wait for a day or two, you'll have Torkelson to build the offense around, and enjoy trying to set records with Miggy for the time being.

Thanks for taking the time for a response! I love the idea of Toronto and their younger squad. It’s currently between the Jays or the White Sox for my new franchise. The Sox certainly have some pieces but don’t have the deepest farm. Plus I love the stadium.

Has there been any development on a new minors roster with the top prospects?

[jmcole33]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

The Amazins

Marlins Complete Unlikely Comeback, Mets Season Is Over
October 8,2023

Devastating. That's the only word that can be used for the end of this season. Although, I'm sure the Marlins have a different word in mind: Poetic. A 9th inning rally propelled the Marlins passed the Mets and into the NLCS, where they'll face the Dodgers.

Jered Si v Noah Syndergaard in a rubber match was supposed to be a pitcher's duel, but it was anything but that. Si left the game after only 2 innings, but not before he launched the first pitch he saw from Syndergaard into the left field bleachers. A flurry of Mets offense chased the veteran from the game and gave the Mets a 3-1 lead heading into the 3rd inning.

The Marlins would cut into the deficit with an RBI single by Yelich in the 4th. The Mets would pull away over the next couple of innings, capped off by a solo HR by Davidson in the 5th, giving the Mets a 6-2 lead.

A Miguel Sano two-run moonshot to left in the sixth would bring the Marlins back to within 6-4, but Michael Conforto would extend the lead back to 8-4 in the bottom half of the inning, putting the Mets in the driver's seat.

Nick Burdi, who had 48 saves for the Mets during the regular season, would get the call in the 8th inning for a six out save. He would escape the 8th after loading the bases, thanks to a double play, only to load them again in the 9th inning.

Enter: Dakota Chalmers. A rookie who had been thrust into the rotation during the regular season thanks to the underperformance of Robert Gsellman. He had shown promise, but this was his first postseason appearance, and it was at the most critical juncture of the Mets' season.

Chalmers would face veteran Christian Yelich in his first taste of the postseason, and the veteran would win the battle. Yelich took the first pitch of Chalmers' post-season career and parked it beyond the right-centerfield fence for a game-tying grand slam. 8-8.

Two batters later, and Miguel Sano was sending another Chalmers fastball into the left-field bleachers. 9-8 Marlins.

Gsellman would come in and surrender another run. 10-8 Marlins. That's your final, folks.

Eloy Jimenez would hit a leadoff double in the bottom half of the inning, but two strikeouts and a pop-out later, and the Mets season was over.

A league best 102 wins was not supposed to end in an NLDS exit at the hands of a divisional rival. Call it what you will: Abysmal bullpen-management, a poor performance by a veteran closer, or the Marlins earning it. Whatever you want to call it, the season is over.

For the Marlins, it must have felt like justice. They had games 2 and 3 wrapped up, only to have the Mets break out their dormancy and win in the latter innings. A six run 9th inning to put the Mets away must have been the perfect way for this series to end in their eyes.

Now, the Mets turn their eyes to the off-season and the 2024 season....

[jmcole33]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

The Amazins

Post-Season Wrap up
October 28, 2023

Congratulations to the Seattle Mariners on winning the 2023 World Series, defeating the Marlins 4-1.

The Mariners defeated the Astros in 5 games in the ALDS, and then took care of the Blue Jays in 5 games in the ALCS.

The Marlins won the NLDS in dramatic fashion, before carrying that momentum into the NLCS, defeating the Dodgers in 6 games.

Your World Series MVP was DH Kareem Hedrick of the Seattle Mariners. He batted .364 with 3 HR and 8 RBI during the season finale.

[eric7064]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

The Cubs have a lot to prove in 2025. Coming off a season where they missed the playoffs the Cubs reloaded and made a splash in free agency to help push the team back into contention. Simply put, it worked wonderful in April.

Juan Soto had 5HR in the first 4 games of the year and never cooled down. Juan Soto won NL player of the month with a .381AVG/15HR/29RBI in 31 games. What a start for the new Cub. Baez’s production has shown improvement with Soto hitting behind him. Baez in April went .319AVG/9HR/21 RBI in 29 games. Every hitter in the lineup has been respectable outside of Kyle Schwarber who usually has represented consistency, but Is hitting .158AVG in the month.

The rotation has done well, with everybody pitching to a sub 3.50ERA, and the bullpen has been great as well. CP Clyde Booker had 13SV in April with a 1.23ERA.

Overall, for the first time in a long while the Cubs had an amazing start to the season going 24-7 in April, and find themselves 3.5 games above the Brewers in the NL central. Lets see if the Cubs can keep it up after a record first 31 games.

If April was a showcase on how GOOD this Cubs team could be, May was how BAD this team can be. The Cubs went 12-17 in May, including an 8 game losing skid in the middle of the month.

Everything went cold for the Cubs. The record setting April bats, the rotation was ok, but Bernard Nowak has a 6.82ERA after May. The bullpen held together, but the Cubs for the 3rd year in a row has lost Miguel Sano to a significant injury. Sano fractured his shin a week into the month and will miss 2 months of time.

The Cubs have yet to have a season where Sano appears in 100 games, and the streak looks to unfortunately continue. Doug Paloucci who has been very productive in the past will man the hot corner while Sano is gone.
Alec Mills(13.00ERA in 13IP) of the bullpen was sent down for Brett Martin.

The Cubs are 35-24 after May and are 2.5GB of the division now.
June was just as bad as May as the Cubs went 10-16 in the month, and have faltered to 45-40 entering July.

The Cubs team that started off blistering hot starting 24-7 have now found themselves a massive 14GB of the MLB best Brewers and 1.5GB of the 2nd WC spot in the NL. The Cubs have been collapsing at a fast rate.
Nearly every player has cooled off, the rotation has everyone with a 4.00ERA or higher outside of Julio Urias, and the lineup has cooled off immensely.

July will be a big month as the AS break nears. The Cubs will likely have a few All Stars and will look to use the break as a recharger for the 2nd half of the season. It remains to be seen what kind of moves the Cubs make in July to stay in playoff contention moving forward. The fans are not happy with the way this team has been in the last 2 months (22-33). Cubs are 45-40 heading into July.

[MightyMaxxx13]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

PITTSBURGH PIRATES FRANCHISE

July 31, 2020

Officially waving the white flag on the trade deadline. We made one move, a big one, nabbing Sean Manaea from the A’s. I’d have liked to find a power bat and another shut down reliever, but the guys we were eyeing ended up elsewhere. There are other moves to potentially be made, but at this stage any additional moves would be a reach. I have to put my trust in the guys who’ve gotten me to where we are.

So let’s take stock of the team that will push for this franchise’s first division title since 1992. The Pirates are 61-47, 3 games behind the Reds in the central division. The Cubs are just 1 game behind us in both the division and the wildcard.

Currently we are dead even with Arizona in the wildcard hunt. The Braves and Phillies have been duking it out at the top of the East, with the current follower right behind us in the wildcard as well. It’s going to be a VERY competitive final two months.

I’m hoping Manaea can be the rock on a starting staff that has been hot and cold all year. Here’s the re-shuffled rotation, with current stats:

Sean Manaea 7-9, 3.80 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 135 IP
Brandon Waddell 6-1, 2.65 ERA, 2.67 FIP, 74 IP
Chris Archer 10-4, 4.27 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 130 IP
Trevor Williams 8-6, 4.16 ERA, 4.43 FIP, 119 IP
Mitch Keller 8-5, 4.62 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 101 IP

In the pen, Keone Kela has been a beast. When he comes in, I’m pretty comfortable that it’s game over. He’s 28/31 in saves with a 2.29 ERA and 65 K’s in 51 IP. He’s allowed just one homer. At this point, I’d trust him to babysit my kids.

My bridge guys have been a shade below dominant, but at this point I’m rolling with them. Kyle Crick (4-3, 22 HLD, 2 SV, 2 BS, 3.59 ERA, 56 K’s in 47.2 IP) and Richard Rodriguez (2-2, 25 HLD, 2 SV, 2 BS, 3.53 ERA, 38 K’s in 51.0 IP).

I have 3 more righties behind them, filling mostly middle / mop-up roles at this stage: Matt Barnes, Michael Feliz, and Edgar Santana.

Finally my two lefties: Steven Brault and Robbie Erlin. Both have been pretty good (ERA’s under 3 for both) but are unproven. Brault is more of a swingman/spot starter while Erlin will finish the year as my primary matchup lefty.

Here’s my starting lineup with stats:

SS Cole Tucker (.279, 4 HR, 45 RBI)
LF Adam Frazier (.277, 11 HR, 44 RBI)
CF Bryan Reynolds (.294, 15 HR, 59 RBI)
1B Josh Bell (.310, 23 HR, 65 RBI)
RF Gregory Polanco (.247, 16 HR, 53 RBI)
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (.265, 7 HR, 41 RBI)
2B Kevin Kramer (.296, 2 HR, 17 RBI)
C Jacob Stallings (.240, 3 HR, 22 RBI)

And bench:
PH/3B/LF Colin Moran (.303, 9 HR, 45 RBI)
C John Ryan Murphy (.229, 3 HR, 11 RBI)
OF Kevin Pillar (.218, 10 HR, 25 RBI)
IF Erik Gonzalez (.280, 1 HR, 13 RBI)
UT JT Riddle (.264, 2 HR, 10 RBI)

Gaudy numbers for Moran. He’s been one of the best pinch hitters in the majors this season. I’m tempted to let him start at third over Hayes but he’s such a weapon off the bench and Hayes has a better glove. Kevin Newman was having a solid year before tearing a ligament in his finger. He’ll be back in 3 weeks, then Tucker or Kramer will have to take a seat.

The biggest shortcoming here is lack of power. Bell can crank em out of the park with the best of them, but he’s got very little protection in this lineup.

This team is 14 games over .500 and has come a long way. It’s time to secure that playoff spot.

[Ryanreeser]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

PITTSBURGH PIRATES FRANCHISE

July 31, 2020

Officially waving the white flag on the trade deadline. We made one move, a big one, nabbing Sean Manaea from the A’s. I’d have liked to find a power bat and another shut down reliever, but the guys we were eyeing ended up elsewhere. There are other moves to potentially be made, but at this stage any additional moves would be a reach. I have to put my trust in the guys who’ve gotten me to where we are.

So let’s take stock of the team that will push for this franchise’s first division title since 1992. The Pirates are 61-47, 3 games behind the Reds in the central division. The Cubs are just 1 game behind us in both the division and the wildcard.

Currently we are dead even with Arizona in the wildcard hunt. The Braves and Phillies have been duking it out at the top of the East, with the current follower right behind us in the wildcard as well. It’s going to be a VERY competitive final two months.

I’m hoping Manaea can be the rock on a starting staff that has been hot and cold all year. Here’s the re-shuffled rotation, with current stats:

Sean Manaea 7-9, 3.80 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 135 IP
Brandon Waddell 6-1, 2.65 ERA, 2.67 FIP, 74 IP
Chris Archer 10-4, 4.27 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 130 IP
Trevor Williams 8-6, 4.16 ERA, 4.43 FIP, 119 IP
Mitch Keller 8-5, 4.62 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 101 IP

In the pen, Keone Kela has been a beast. When he comes in, I’m pretty comfortable that it’s game over. He’s 28/31 in saves with a 2.29 ERA and 65 K’s in 51 IP. He’s allowed just one homer. At this point, I’d trust him to babysit my kids.

My bridge guys have been a shade below dominant, but at this point I’m rolling with them. Kyle Crick (4-3, 22 HLD, 2 SV, 2 BS, 3.59 ERA, 56 K’s in 47.2 IP) and Richard Rodriguez (2-2, 25 HLD, 2 SV, 2 BS, 3.53 ERA, 38 K’s in 51.0 IP).

I have 3 more righties behind them, filling mostly middle / mop-up roles at this stage: Matt Barnes, Michael Feliz, and Edgar Santana.

Finally my two lefties: Steven Brault and Robbie Erlin. Both have been pretty good (ERA’s under 3 for both) but are unproven. Brault is more of a swingman/spot starter while Erlin will finish the year as my primary matchup lefty.

Here’s my starting lineup with stats:

SS Cole Tucker (.279, 4 HR, 45 RBI)
LF Adam Frazier (.277, 11 HR, 44 RBI)
CF Bryan Reynolds (.294, 15 HR, 59 RBI)
1B Josh Bell (.310, 23 HR, 65 RBI)
RF Gregory Polanco (.247, 16 HR, 53 RBI)
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (.265, 7 HR, 41 RBI)
2B Kevin Kramer (.296, 2 HR, 17 RBI)
C Jacob Stallings (.240, 3 HR, 22 RBI)

And bench:
PH/3B/LF Colin Moran (.303, 9 HR, 45 RBI)
C John Ryan Murphy (.229, 3 HR, 11 RBI)
OF Kevin Pillar (.218, 10 HR, 25 RBI)
IF Erik Gonzalez (.280, 1 HR, 13 RBI)
UT JT Riddle (.264, 2 HR, 10 RBI)

Gaudy numbers for Moran. He’s been one of the best pinch hitters in the majors this season. I’m tempted to let him start at third over Hayes but he’s such a weapon off the bench and Hayes has a better glove. Kevin Newman was having a solid year before tearing a ligament in his finger. He’ll be back in 3 weeks, then Tucker or Kramer will have to take a seat.

The biggest shortcoming here is lack of power. Bell can crank em out of the park with the best of them, but he’s got very little protection in this lineup.

This team is 14 games over .500 and has come a long way. It’s time to secure that playoff spot.

Wow. Was just looking at Maneas stats. Coming from a high powered offense in Oakland, it doesnt seem like he got much run support.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Ryanreeser]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

PITTSBURGH PIRATES FRANCHISE

July 31, 2020

Officially waving the white flag on the trade deadline. We made one move, a big one, nabbing Sean Manaea from the A’s. I’d have liked to find a power bat and another shut down reliever, but the guys we were eyeing ended up elsewhere. There are other moves to potentially be made, but at this stage any additional moves would be a reach. I have to put my trust in the guys who’ve gotten me to where we are.

So let’s take stock of the team that will push for this franchise’s first division title since 1992. The Pirates are 61-47, 3 games behind the Reds in the central division. The Cubs are just 1 game behind us in both the division and the wildcard.

Currently we are dead even with Arizona in the wildcard hunt. The Braves and Phillies have been duking it out at the top of the East, with the current follower right behind us in the wildcard as well. It’s going to be a VERY competitive final two months.

I’m hoping Manaea can be the rock on a starting staff that has been hot and cold all year. Here’s the re-shuffled rotation, with current stats:

Sean Manaea 7-9, 3.80 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 135 IP
Brandon Waddell 6-1, 2.65 ERA, 2.67 FIP, 74 IP
Chris Archer 10-4, 4.27 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 130 IP
Trevor Williams 8-6, 4.16 ERA, 4.43 FIP, 119 IP
Mitch Keller 8-5, 4.62 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 101 IP

In the pen, Keone Kela has been a beast. When he comes in, I’m pretty comfortable that it’s game over. He’s 28/31 in saves with a 2.29 ERA and 65 K’s in 51 IP. He’s allowed just one homer. At this point, I’d trust him to babysit my kids.

My bridge guys have been a shade below dominant, but at this point I’m rolling with them. Kyle Crick (4-3, 22 HLD, 2 SV, 2 BS, 3.59 ERA, 56 K’s in 47.2 IP) and Richard Rodriguez (2-2, 25 HLD, 2 SV, 2 BS, 3.53 ERA, 38 K’s in 51.0 IP).

I have 3 more righties behind them, filling mostly middle / mop-up roles at this stage: Matt Barnes, Michael Feliz, and Edgar Santana.

Finally my two lefties: Steven Brault and Robbie Erlin. Both have been pretty good (ERA’s under 3 for both) but are unproven. Brault is more of a swingman/spot starter while Erlin will finish the year as my primary matchup lefty.

Here’s my starting lineup with stats:

SS Cole Tucker (.279, 4 HR, 45 RBI)
LF Adam Frazier (.277, 11 HR, 44 RBI)
CF Bryan Reynolds (.294, 15 HR, 59 RBI)
1B Josh Bell (.310, 23 HR, 65 RBI)
RF Gregory Polanco (.247, 16 HR, 53 RBI)
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (.265, 7 HR, 41 RBI)
2B Kevin Kramer (.296, 2 HR, 17 RBI)
C Jacob Stallings (.240, 3 HR, 22 RBI)

And bench:
PH/3B/LF Colin Moran (.303, 9 HR, 45 RBI)
C John Ryan Murphy (.229, 3 HR, 11 RBI)
OF Kevin Pillar (.218, 10 HR, 25 RBI)
IF Erik Gonzalez (.280, 1 HR, 13 RBI)
UT JT Riddle (.264, 2 HR, 10 RBI)

Gaudy numbers for Moran. He’s been one of the best pinch hitters in the majors this season. I’m tempted to let him start at third over Hayes but he’s such a weapon off the bench and Hayes has a better glove. Kevin Newman was having a solid year before tearing a ligament in his finger. He’ll be back in 3 weeks, then Tucker or Kramer will have to take a seat.

The biggest shortcoming here is lack of power. Bell can crank em out of the park with the best of them, but he’s got very little protection in this lineup.

This team is 14 games over .500 and has come a long way. It’s time to secure that playoff spot.

You ever consider maybe Zunino from the Tampa? Depending on what they're doing in your franchise? I know the catcher position isnt always about offense, but he's pretty stellar on both ends

Sent from my SM-G955U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Rocket32]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Yankees Take 2 Of 3 From Red Sox, Split 2 Game Set With Pirates, moving to 51-23.

DJ LeMahieu didn’t end up rejoining the team in Pittsburgh as planned as team doctors ruled him out for those 2 games as well to make sure he’s 100%. He’s back and ready to go as we take on the Twins. LeMahieu will look to pick up where he left off after getting off to a start of a 392\417\598 line through 102 AB’s.

This left us with a choice to make. Keep Ryan Goins or Tyler Wade in the majors?
We ended up going with Ryan Goins. Even though Goins isn’t a late game pinch running option like Wade and not as versatile, Goins has simply been too good to send down. That minor trade has turned into a steal for us. Through 120 AB’s, Goins has a 267\382\558 line, 10 HR’s (a career high), 19 RBI’s, and a 940 OPS, as LeMahieu’s fill in. After how he’s come up big for us in this LeMahieu-less stretch, he’s likely part of this squad the rest of the year.


Next up: We head to Minnesota for a 4 game showdown with the 52-23 Twins in a clash of the 2 best records in baseball. They may be the hottest team you’ll see all year as they come in with an amazing 15 game win streak. They have the league’s top offense as they lead MLB in runs with 436. Along with a 3.89 team ERA, good for 6th in MLB.

News:
Yankees Gary Sanchez Injury Update: Due back in 3-4 weeks.
James Paxton Injury Update: Questionable for next start @ Twins.

Clint Frazier Demoted To AA Trenton Thunder.
After opening the year in the majors putting up a 118\211\382 line in 34 AB’s before being optioned to AAA, things have taken an ugly turn for Frazier. After putting up a 231\296\333 line at AAA with just 5 HR’s through 234 AB’s in Scranton, the Yanks were forced to demote him. Strange and concerning numbers to see him putting up in AAA. Could it be sulking after being sent back to the minors again?

[jmcole33]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

The Amazins


deGrom Twists the Knife, Retires After Nine Seasons
November 1, 2023

In a move that no one was expecting, Jacob deGrom retires just days after the Seattle Mariners were crowned World Series Champs.

In 2021, Jacob deGrom was basking in the after glow of a CY young season and a third World Series ring. Two short years later, Jake is walking away from the game of baseball.

A sure fire hall of fame career was cut short by a broken arm suffered off an Aaron Judge line drive in the middle of the 2022 season. It was clear from Opening Day this year that deGrom was not back to form. He struggled his way to a 5+ ERA this season, but saved his best for when the Mets needed it most. He pitched 6 innings, giving up 1 run on 5 hits in Game 4 of the NLDS. It was a 2-1 game that the Mets lost because of their lack of offense.

While this news does come as a shock to the organization, it does open up some interesting possibilities, budget-wise. deGrom was planned to be on the books for $14.3M each of the next two seasons, but now that's no longer the case.

As surprising as it may seem, some fans are viewing this as a relief. deGrom's performance really fell off this season, and it was a mystery whether he'd be able to return to form after the injury a year ago. Rather than feeling obligated to start an aging fan favorite every fifth day, the Mets have been given some financial freedom as to how they approach this off-season.

It will be interesting to see how this effects their off-season plans.

In a statement by team GM jmcole33, the Mets will be retiring #48. "deGrom took us into the Golden Age of Mets baseball, and if he had remained healthy, he would have seen us through to the other side."

deGrom's Career Numbers:

1750 Innings
150 Wins
1613 K
2.97 ERA
1.09 WHIP
3.09 FIP
4 World Series Championships
1 CY Young (2020)




**While this certainly wasn't expected, it wasn't a complete shock. deGrom struggled BIG TIME this season. I have no doubt the injury effected is regression (speeding it up significantly), which was kinda cool to see happen, although sucky for me. A broken arm at 33 years old after several 200+ inning seasons would be tough to come back from.**