MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

[knowledge24]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Update on my Athletics franchise (did a fantasy draft):
Just hit August and while we’re at a 77-39 record (1st in AL West), we’ve had some lengthy losing streaks in June and July and a ton of injuries.

During one of the losing streaks, Woody Rockwell took two losses and gave up a bunch of runs. Rockwell had some good moments since we acquired him and he made the All-Star team, but his early summer performances really showed he couldn’t be trusted down the stretch.

On the injury front, we lost SP Nicky Cicirelli (broken hand) and SP/RP Felipe Zarate (broken forearm) -- both will be back by September, at the soonest. Also lost 2B Dexter McCain (broken hand) and the guy called up to replace him, SS Jesse Smith (knee injury). Those were just the bigger injuries; a few players had to miss a few games here and there for minor things, so we were forced to call up a bunch of AAA guys to buy time (and that didn’t go very well since the farm system is not good).

We needed to improve our pitching and bench, so we made a couple of trades ahead of the July 31 deadline:

To Colorado:
2B Brad Sawyer
RP Wade Holiday
C Warren Erickson

For:
SS Enzo Hamilton
C Rene Espinoza

To Chicago Cubs:
OF Edwin Escobar
RP Francisco Cuevas

For:
SP William Manning

To Arizona:
SP Woody Rockwell
SS Keith Cook

For:
SP Eddy Diaz
3B Casey Robinson
3B Miguel Esposito

Diaz and Manning are plugged in the rotation, while Hamilton takes over as the starting 2B. Robinson becomes the utility guy off the bench/pinch runner (91 SPD), and Esposito and Espinoza become minor league depth that could get call-ups. Also picked up J.D. Harding off waivers from the Brewers; he’s on the big league roster for now.

Lineup:
CF Bryce Lewis
LF Reggie Kellogg
DH King Hitter
C Dale Richards
1B Frank Jacobs
3B Alfonso Pena
RF LeAndro White
SS Junior Gonzalez
2B Enzo Hamilton

Bench:
OF Carter Dawkins
OF Miguel Rodriguez
C Edwin Macias
3B Casey Robinson
SS J.D. Harding

Rotation:
Vince Cartwright
Marty Stark
Terrell Woodyard
William Manning
Eddy Diaz

Bullpen:
Akio Lin (AAA callup)
Percy Denson
Sergio Martinez (AAA callup)
Anthony Richards
Lewis Matthews
Brent Stevens (closer)

Crazy trade: White Sox are leading the AL Central and are behind us for the best record in the AL. On deadline day, they picked up SP Christopher Reed (94 OVR I believe, A potential and only 24) from Houston but they gave up three A potential prospects in SS Oliver Young, SP Tyler Peterson, and CF Joey Piccininni.

[JoshC1977]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

My fictional Braves, after a 9-2 stretch, have begun to come back to Earth following two losses to the Nats (who are in a 4-way battle at the top of the division). We're back to 7 games under .500 (in last place, 7.5 games back) as we've begun a 22 game in 23 days stretch prior to the ASB.

Game 2 of the series vs the Nats saw a dramatic turn as star Nats shortstop Howard Thompkins fractured his arm sliding into second. Doctors estimate it will take a good 2-3 months to fully heal. With their stud shortstop prospect struggling badly in AAA, the Nats will turn to a platoon to fill the huge void.

Rumors have also begun to swirl if the Braves might send veteran shortstop Mike Bryant to a division rival.

[Bullit]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Hey Bacon, looking thru '16 and can't find your Roster? Did you do one for that year? I though you had?

[CubFan23]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

July 20

Hello again Cub Fans, Len Casper here with a Cubs update. The new Cubs GM Cal Varnson, has been busy these last couple days after the All Star break. First, he re-signed 2 key components in the bullpen. Top set up man, Carlos de la Torre got a 5 year, $25m dollar extension, and the NL's top closer "Super" Mario Oquendo also got an extension, 5 years $50m. Everyone is hoping that CF Dario Suarez will also be extended, if not now, in the off season. He is having a terrific year and will be a free agent at seasons end.

Varnson also pulled off a trade. Blair King, the 27 yr old 2b was sent to the Braves for 40 yr old IF Chuck Souza. The Cubs gave King every opportunity to play, but he just wasn't producing. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good. The 40 yr old Souza had a a great debut for the Cubs. 3 for 3 with a walk, a 2B, 2HR and 3RBI. One of the HR's was a game winning one in the bottom of the 9th against the White Sox which instantly made him a fan favorite!

[jrnlgrn]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

It's just spring training but things are off to a rough start. 1-5 after the first week. Most of it comes down to starters only going 3 innings the entire staff is knocking the rust off but that is to be expected. Also Cleveland tried to get cute and bunt with a 3 run lead in the 9th inning. It's spring training no need for that! So next Indians batter paid the price and got hit square in the shoulder.

Sent from a galaxy far far away.

[JoshC1977]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Varnson also pulled off a trade. Blair King, the 27 yr old 2b was sent to the Braves for 40 yr old IF Chuck Souza. The Cubs gave King every opportunity to play, but he just wasn't producing. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good. The 40 yr old Souza had a a great debut for the Cubs. 3 for 3 with a walk, a 2B, 2HR and 3RBI. One of the HR's was a game winning one in the bottom of the 9th against the White Sox which instantly made him a fan favorite!

You better give my man Chuck a ring before he retires!!

Definitely one of my favs from my Braves franchise

[bacon96]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Hey Bacon, looking thru '16 and can't find your Roster? Did you do one for that year? I though you had?

2016 was when I began the roster but I didn't upload to the vault until May 2017.

[Bullit]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

2016 was when I began the roster but I didn't upload to the vault until May 2017.

Thank you for the update, appreciate you.

[CubFan23]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

You better give my man Chuck a ring before he retires!!

Definitely one of my favs from my Braves franchise

I'm hoping so too! He was hitting really well for the Braves but they are in last place currently. I think he has 16 HR, 2 with the Cubs so far and 44 rbi and I think he's around .240 avg. I just need him for spot starts and off the bench, so far so good.

[jrnlgrn]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

A brief round of highlights from the first week of Padres Spring Training 2021!

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F_taqh4lhQM" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>

[CubFan23]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

A brief round of highlights from the first week of Padres Spring Training 2021!

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F_taqh4lhQM" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>

What did you end up doing with Starks? He got hammered again for me, couldn't make it out of the 4th, gave up 6.

[HawaiianRush]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

A brief round of highlights from the first week of Padres Spring Training 2021!

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F_taqh4lhQM" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>

I've been looking at JoshC's sliders how are they playing out for you?

Sent from my SM-N970U using Operation Sports mobile app

[jrnlgrn]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

What did you end up doing with Starks? He got hammered again for me, couldn't make it out of the 4th, gave up 6.

Starks had an interest in staying with the Padres and after a 16-4 season primarily coming out of the bullpen the team wanted to retain his services. So we came to a mutual agreement that if he were to remain with the team that he'd need to make the switch over to the bullpen as long relief and an emergency starter.

I've been looking at JoshC's sliders how are they playing out for you?

Sent from my SM-N970U using Operation Sports mobile app

They have been great. I've had no issues after playing every pitch. I think it really takes a full season to get a feel for a slider set being a good fit or not. Baseball is so streaky that you can fall into the trap of thinking you need to change something when it's just the ups and downs of a season of baseball.

Sent from a galaxy far far away.

[CubFan23]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Starks had an interest in staying with the Padres and after a 16-4 season primarily coming out of the bullpen the team wanted to retain his services. So we came to a mutual agreement that if he were to remain with the team that he'd need to make the switch over to the bullpen as long relief and an emergency starter.
Sent from a galaxy far far away.

I was thinking along those same lines. Although I keep telling myself maybe just one more start and he'll find his groove, and it keeps blowing up in my face. I am currently 10.5 games up, maybe if the race were closer I would have a different mind set with him.

[puckhogg11]

Re: MLB The Show 20: Fictional Franchise Progress Thread

Great job on the video. That was put together nicely. I laughed at the runner that got thrown out at 1st from the right fielder.