MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

[No.27]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

I love Lake! He and ss Howard Thompkins are my two favorite players!

I’ll second Howie Thompkins! Had him bat No.2 for a season and he never let me down. If I remember had a high clutch rating and I did hit a couple of grand slams with him including a game winner.

[JoshC1977]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

My Bacon Braves are really struggling. Two days from the draft, we're now in last place, 10 games back and are in a murderous stretch vs elite teams. Our hitting has been OK, coming down to earth as we face an onslaught of upper-tier pitchers. It has been the pitching that has fallen apart; even staff Ace Carson Dent has been mortal his last few outings.

The Braves front office has been meeting regularly to decide on the path forward. Our owner has demanded results and expects us to be in the WS within 3 seasons - for a team at the end of our rope due to age - it's a tall order.

We see the following options:

1. Go into dump mode.

This option may be highly dependant on how well we do in the draft. If we score some good high-end prospects that are close to MLB-ready, this is an option (allowing us to contend by year 3). If we don't, this option becomes less tenable unless we go to a FA-heavy rebuild approach.

This consists of two sub-options:
1a. Dump all of the high-priced older guys for younger guys (not necessarily prospects). This would include 1B Mason Franklin (who has been outstanding), wily vet Chuck Souza, RF Wong-Yong Lee, and SPs Jaylen Poole and Carson Dent (plus probably some lesser pieces).

1b. The above AND trade away Paul Keys. We acquired the pending FA Keys from the Indians earlier in the year and he's been decidedly mediocre. I'm sure he'll rebound, that isn't the issue. But, we can get a King's Ransom for him and potentially sign him in the offseason to a huge deal. The risk of course, is not being able to sign him in the offseason.

2. Try to supplement the team without impacting our future.
Let's face it, 10 games back isn't horrid....it's doable. The issue is that the current farm system is barren. So, we'd likely have to be creative with trades, focusing more on a "reallocation of resources" approach (i.e. trading offense for pitching). RF Wong-Yong Lee could be part of this approach, but his contract is rather bloated and may stifle the returns. The intention here would be to garner at least 1 very solid SP (preferably 2) and 2-3 RPs (which would be a LOT of offense for us to trade away). Once star CF JC Ray is off the IL in a couple of weeks, we could move Keys to RF and trade away Lee.

Other areas of improvement will involve C (we traded Chase Parker earlier in the year) and the middle IF (and possibly 3B where 40 yr old Chuck Souza is cratering).

Combined with our pitching needs, we're basically talking about overhauling the bottom 1/3 of the major league roster without adversely impacting the rest of it. That feels like a very tall order.

3. The "Screw it - Flags Fly Forever" approach.
Basically trade away every valuable prospect we have (all like 4 of them...lol) to build the roster for the here and now. I just don't see it adding enough value for us...but, who knows?

4. The pragmatic approach.
Would you acquire a 34 yr old 1B with a big 4 year deal? Would you acquire a 85 OVR RF with 6 years left on his deal but with a notable injury risk? The answer is likely a resounding "no" UNLESS (and this might be the key) we were take on an equally icky contract. But this approach is more about moderation than huge splashes.

Poole is a pending FA, he can go. I could trade the fading Souza to a contender for a chance at a ring. I'll likely trade surging RP Percy Denson (who has seen his value go up with an outstanding year so far) as he is due 6.5 million next year. I can trade my closer (why have a closer when you're not winning?). The goal with all this would be to make solid upgrades at the major league level at major "need positions".

Now, the result of this could very well be a "stars and scrubs" roster. Our 40 man roster is BAD, so replacements for traded players will either need to be from the trades or low-end replacement-level players from our minor leagues. The upshot of this is that it could set us up for a big free agency session.

--------
The next couple of months are going to be VERY interesting indeed.

[jrnlgrn]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Padres Keep Rolling On

September 1st - Last night the Padres put up 10 runs in the first 2 innings running off 2 consecutive pitchers in the process as the cruised to a 12-4 win over the dodgers. That performance was emblematic of San Diego's current run ofform. As we enter the final month of the regular season, the Padres remain baseballs hottest and most surprising team post all-star break. Since the break the Padres (78-59) have put up a 28-12 record and find themselves top of the NL West and holding the 6th best record in the baseball.

The final weeks of August saw the return of starting pitcher Kyle Johnson, left-fielder D.J. Fader and center-fielder Rolando Rodriguez. San Diego manager Willie Peterson will look to reintegrate the returning players into a lineup that has been firing on all cylinders lately. The Padres will be hoping to carry this momentum forward and secure a playoff spot.

The hurdle the swinging Friars face comes in the form of their NL West rivals as we approach the regular seasons conclusion. Although recent outings have been successful, for the year San Diego's record stands at a concerning 22-36 when facing their division foes.

It's currently a good time to be a Padres fan. How long those good times will last remain to be seen.

=====================================

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[VeseThesis]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

My Bacon Braves are really struggling. Two days from the draft, we're now in last place, 10 games back and are in a murderous stretch vs elite teams. Our hitting has been OK, coming down to earth as we face an onslaught of upper-tier pitchers. It has been the pitching that has fallen apart; even staff Ace Carson Dent has been mortal his last few outings.

The Braves front office has been meeting regularly to decide on the path forward. Our owner has demanded results and expects us to be in the WS within 3 seasons - for a team at the end of our rope due to age - it's a tall order.

We see the following options:

1. Go into dump mode.

This option may be highly dependant on how well we do in the draft. If we score some good high-end prospects that are close to MLB-ready, this is an option (allowing us to contend by year 3). If we don't, this option becomes less tenable unless we go to a FA-heavy rebuild approach.

This consists of two sub-options:
1a. Dump all of the high-priced older guys for younger guys (not necessarily prospects). This would include 1B Mason Franklin (who has been outstanding), wily vet Chuck Souza, RF Wong-Yong Lee, and SPs Jaylen Poole and Carson Dent (plus probably some lesser pieces).

1b. The above AND trade away Paul Keys. We acquired the pending FA Keys from the Indians earlier in the year and he's been decidedly mediocre. I'm sure he'll rebound, that isn't the issue. But, we can get a King's Ransom for him and potentially sign him in the offseason to a huge deal. The risk of course, is not being able to sign him in the offseason.

2. Try to supplement the team without impacting our future.
Let's face it, 10 games back isn't horrid....it's doable. The issue is that the current farm system is barren. So, we'd likely have to be creative with trades, focusing more on a "reallocation of resources" approach (i.e. trading offense for pitching). RF Wong-Yong Lee could be part of this approach, but his contract is rather bloated and may stifle the returns. The intention here would be to garner at least 1 very solid SP (preferably 2) and 2-3 RPs (which would be a LOT of offense for us to trade away). Once star CF JC Ray is off the IL in a couple of weeks, we could move Keys to RF and trade away Lee.

Other areas of improvement will involve C (we traded Chase Parker earlier in the year) and the middle IF (and possibly 3B where 40 yr old Chuck Souza is cratering).

Combined with our pitching needs, we're basically talking about overhauling the bottom 1/3 of the major league roster without adversely impacting the rest of it. That feels like a very tall order.

3. The "Screw it - Flags Fly Forever" approach.
Basically trade away every valuable prospect we have (all like 4 of them...lol) to build the roster for the here and now. I just don't see it adding enough value for us...but, who knows?

4. The pragmatic approach.
Would you acquire a 34 yr old 1B with a big 4 year deal? Would you acquire a 85 OVR RF with 6 years left on his deal but with a notable injury risk? The answer is likely a resounding "no" UNLESS (and this might be the key) we were take on an equally icky contract. But this approach is more about moderation than huge splashes.

Poole is a pending FA, he can go. I could trade the fading Souza to a contender for a chance at a ring. I'll likely trade surging RP Percy Denson (who has seen his value go up with an outstanding year so far) as he is due 6.5 million next year. I can trade my closer (why have a closer when you're not winning?). The goal with all this would be to make solid upgrades at the major league level at major "need positions".

Now, the result of this could very well be a "stars and scrubs" roster. Our 40 man roster is BAD, so replacements for traded players will either need to be from the trades or low-end replacement-level players from our minor leagues. The upshot of this is that it could set us up for a big free agency session.

--------
The next couple of months are going to be VERY interesting indeed.

I was in same mode as you, lost 7 in a row after the All Star break. I was 9.5 GB behind the Mets, fell to 3rd place. Went on a tear in August, into sept 25-5 run! Now 18 games left and I’m up 2.5 games on the Mets. Crazy first season for me and my Raleigh Capitols (rebranded Marlins). Keep pushin’ !!!

[jrnlgrn]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

*Ric Flair Wooooooo* Woody Rockwell has fallen off a cliff. I'm not sure he's worth keeping on the MLB roster at this point. I can't remember the last time he pitched a quality game. Giving him a 2 year contract appears to be my first mistake as GM in this franchise. Definitely going to try and find a gullible trade partner in the off-season.


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[ripwalk]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

*Ric Flair Wooooooo* Woody Rockwell has fallen off a cliff. I'm not sure he's worth keeping on the MLB roster at this point. I can't remember the last time he pitched a quality game. Giving him a 2 year contract appears to be my first mistake as GM in this franchise. Definitely going to try and find a gullible trade partner in the off-season.


Sent from my moto g(8) plus using Operation Sports mobile app

I dumped him from my roster during the trade deadline, for same reason, his rating were tanking.. as to be expected at 42 years old. However unlike you, he actually was still pitching well and finished the season decently for his new team. Will be interesting to see how he holds up in year 2.



As for my own progress. I finished year one. I had the best team in the American League (in my opinion and via record), at 94 wins, but I lost in the ALCS to the Vancouver Beavers 4 games to 2.

Just unfortunate as I couldn't execute when needed and got shut down by some of their big arms. My defense also absolutely crapped the bed in Game 6 and threw the ball all over the park, leading to them taking the series.

It was frustrating to lose, but also kind of has me excited for season 2, as just being able to win all the time wouldn't be much fun. With dynamic difficulty on, I really have a good, challenging game, where I need to really focus and execute in order to win.

Most of my team is returning for second season. Main goal for offseason will be adding some relievers, as there are only 3 guys in my pen I really trust.

[jrnlgrn]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Was finally able to dispatch my nemesis Tadahito Takatsu! Managed to pick up 2 HRs, 6 hits and got him pulled after 6 innings on 96 pitches.

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[JoshC1977]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Oh the ebbs and flows....

13 games under .500, in the cellar, 11 games out of first....my Braves were struggling.

First place Phillies come into Atlanta....3 games later, 3 game sweep...by THE BRAVES. Second place Nats now in town and we take game 1 of the series. Four straight wins, the lineup is heating up (lead by 40 yr old 3B Chuck Souza and a FINALLY heating-up Paul Keys). Speedy CF JC Ray also returned from the IL after a nearly 2 month stint and the pitching (after a couple of low-key additions) has settled down a bit.

This could be the start of the run we needed.....we're better than a last place team but we need to make a move now because the division is loaded. After the Phillies series, we play the Dodgers (who recently hammered us in LA) for 3 games.

I have a hunch the next 10-15 games may very well shape the course of our franchise...are we contenders or pretenders?

[jrnlgrn]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

15 games left. I believe 10 of them are against division opponents which I've had trouble with all season. I hold a slim 1st place lead over the Giants and Dodgers. I think I only lead the Giants by a couple of games. I'm 3-7 over the last 10 games. I could easily find myself not even making the playoffs if results don't go my way.

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[CubFan23]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Anyone have divisions in franchise that are a bit off? Here are the standing in my AL East and West, I am about 2 weeks from the all star break. The West is by far the best division in my league and the East is the worst. Not affecting my enjoyment at all, just thought it was odd.

Rangers 45-36
Angels 44-35
A's 44-35
Astros 41-37 2.5GB
Mariners 39-42 6GB

Orioles 36-44
rays 36-44
Sox 35-45 1GB
Yanks 35-45 1GB
Jays 32-48 4GB

[jrnlgrn]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

[emoji34] It's September and The Great Collapse is upon us. Now in 3rd and only a game out of 1st but things are looking bleak.1590214377165.jpeg

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[CubFan23]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

[emoji34] It's September and The Great Collapse is upon us. Now in 3rd and only a game out of 1st but things are looking bleak.[ATTACH]179286[/ATTACH]

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That situation you're in is pretty good in a sense that every game is monumental! Win or lose those games will be great! Good luck!

[jrnlgrn]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

That situation you're in is pretty good in a sense that every game is monumental! Win or lose those games will be great! Good luck!

Yeah I'm hoping the days off help get things back on track. At least my AA team is doing well they have a chance to win it all.

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[CubFan23]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Yeah I'm hoping the days off help get things back on track. At least my AA team is doing well they have a chance to win it all.

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Did you resign anyone at the all star break? I'm coming up to it and I am thinking of doing 3 or 4 guys I want to lock up

[jrnlgrn]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Did you resign anyone at the all star break? I'm coming up to it and I am thinking of doing 3 or 4 guys I want to lock up

No I held off everyone that i was 100% sure I would keep turned out they all have multi year deals. There are a couple I considered signing but they are still in their arbitration years and I want to evaluate them a bit longer.