MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

[LowerWolf]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

By chance what was the 6 year offer, did it take team or player option as Ann add-on?

Sent from my SM-A125U using Operation Sports mobile app

It was $172.8M over six years. No options and normal payout. I initially offered five, but his interest went up when I added the sixth year.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals rotation nearly set but adding an arm still a possibility

As Spring Training winds down the Cardinals have their rotation nearly set, but are still kicking around the idea of adding an arm from free agency.

As of now the rotation consists of:

Jack Flaherty
Carlos Martinez
Matthew Liberatore
Michael Wacha/Dakota Hudson

It's no shock that Flaherty and Martinez made the rotation as they were the only obvious choices heading into spring. Matthew Liberatore is the biggest shock thus far as it was expected that he would pitch this spring and then go to Memphis as he's never pitched above AA ball. But Liberatore is having a terrific spring as he's pitched in 15 innings allowing only 3 runs on 6 hits over those 15 innings and has recorded 11 strikeouts against 3 walks. He also has a homerun batting this spring.

Michael Wacha and Dakota Hudson as marked together as its likely one will be in the rotation and the other will be in the bullpen. Neither player has options left, so they would likely be claimed in waivers. Hudson has struggled this spring and is the likely candidate to land in the bullpen while Wacha is reminding fans why he was a favorite with the organization years ago.

Levi Prater, Jake Woodford and Kyle Funkhouser will all go to Memphis to start the season. Steven Matz will likely be designated for assignment in the coming days and will either be released to free agency or traded before the spring ends.

As for arms on the market the Cardinals have two targets apparently. Max Scherzer and Carlos Carrasco are those two targets. Scherzer was a member of the organization two seasons ago and helped pitch the Cardinals to a divisional title. Carrasco was with the Cubs last season where he was solid, but he became homer prone as the season went on.

The Cardinals will have decisions to make over the next 2 weeks as Spring Training concludes and will need to get an arm into camp ASAP to get them ramped up before Opening Day on April 3rd.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals DFA Adam Eaton

The Cardinals have designated Adam Eaton for assignment. The 36 year old was signed by the Cardinals late this past offseason which was surprising considering Eaton won the NL Batting Title with the Dodgers last year.

Eaton has struggled to hit this spring, but that honestly is of little concern to the Cards as they have no doubt his offensive production would increase as the season went along. But his defensive liability has become too much for an organization that prides itself on defense and strong pitching. Eaton isn't completely ineffective in the outfield, but his defense fails in comparison to other right fielders on the roster such as Dylan Carlson, Justin Toerner, and Adolis Garcia whom the Cards signed this past offseason and is having a dominating Spring. Garcia's production has been so good that he'll likely make the 26 man roster barring injury and could potentially be the starting right fielder come Opening Day.

With Eaton being left unsigned so late, its hard to fathom there is a big market for him, so its unlikely the Cards will be able to trade him. So expect Eaton to be placed on waivers and then become a free agent after the waiver period is over.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals sign Max Scherzer to a one year deal

The Cardinals have signed Max Scherzer to a one year deal worth $5M.

The 39 year old Scherzer pitched for the Angels last season, but was used primarily out of the bullpen due to their depth at starting pitchers. Scherzer pitched to a 4.01 ERA and did start 8 games last year with 5 of those being quality starts.

Scherzer last pitched for the Cardinals in 2022 when he helped lead the Cardinals to a National League Central Division title. He and the Cards couldn't agree on a contract the following offseason so he signed with the Angels.

Now the Cardinals are asking "Mad Max" to return home and take the ball every 5th day to help propel the Cardinals back into the postseason. He will join a rotation that has Flaherty and Martinez as the staples, Dakota Hudson and Michael Wacha as back end starters/bullpen pieces and likely LHP prospect Matthew Liberatore who continues to have a tremendous spring.

Scherzer will get two starts before spring training ends. Hopefully he has enough bullets left in that right arm to handle a long 162 game season.

[LowerWolf]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

After sweeping the Yankees to start the 2022 season, we're playing the Pirates - we lost the first game, go figure.

A little thing I love, seeing some of the generated players making their way to the big leagues. The Pirates have a center fielder named Alfredo Chavez who can fly but also has some pop.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

After sweeping the Yankees to start the 2022 season, we're playing the Pirates - we lost the first game, go figure.

A little thing I love, seeing some of the generated players making their way to the big leagues. The Pirates have a center fielder named Alfredo Chavez who can fly but also has some pop.

Baseball is a funny game

This is why I'm hopeful of Y2Y saves in '22. I love watching teams progress or regress and drafted players or young players making their way to the big leagues. In my previous franchise with Y2Y saves, the Marlins were the beast in the NL East.

I know people aren't fans of some of the roster logic, and yes there are head scratchers, but more often than not, it plays out very well for all parties involved.

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

2022 Baltimore Orioles 07/01-07/03

Overall Record:49-29 (1st AL EAST)

Game Results
07/01
Orioles-7
Red Sox-2

07/02
Orioles-0
Red Sox-1

07/03
Orioles-10
Red Sox-4

Baltimore wins series Vs. Boston
In the first series of July, the Baltimore Orioles took two of three from their AL East Rival Boston Red sox. With the two wins, the Orioles are 5-1 against Boston this season. In games one and three in the series, the Orioles bats were on fire as the team had fifteen extra base hits to include four homes runs (Stewart,Rutschman,Santander and Correa).

Game two however was a pitching duel between future hall of famer, Chris Sale and the Orioles' rookie Grayson Rodriguez. Rodriguez did his best to match up with Sale pitching seven strong innings while giving up just five hits. Unfortunately one of those hits was a sixth inning homer for Hunter Renfroe which was all Boston needed in the 1-0 victory. Sale ended up with a complete game shutout while striking out nine and allowing just four hits.

Up next is a four game series vs. the Tigers.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals finish Spring Training with 7-16 record

Spring Training has come to a close for the Cardinals who finished with a 7-16 record.

While records are fairly meaningless in Spring Training, the way the team lost games is of concern. The pitching is a big concern both the rotation and the bullpen.

The biggest addition to the Cardinals bullpen this offseason was Aroldis Chapman, but he is now in San Diego after being claimed off waivers. Chapman was placed on waivers with about a week left after having appeared in 7 innings and giving up 8 homeruns and 13 earned runs. That is not a typo.

The rest of the bullpen has been ok, but only a handful of arms showed consistency during the spring. Hopefully the way guys are used in ST was part of the culprit to the struggles.

Starting pitching was a concern going into spring and still is a month later. Jack Flaherty and Carlos Martinez were the the staples and had good springs. Rookie Matthew Liberatore was expected to start in Memphis but he pitched his way into the rotation. Michael Wacha was ok and new added Max Scherzer was good, but only worked 5 innings this spring giving up 2 runs but striking out 10.

Offensively, you expect the Cardinals to put up runs but 5 times this Spring they were shut out, which is hard to do in spring ball. 3 of those 5 times the team recorded less than 3 hits. Nolan Arenado had a poor spring as did Paul DeJong, two guys the Cards will count on heavily over the 162 game marathon. One bright spot was Dylan Carlson having a good spring as did Adolis Garcia who will make the Opening Day roster. Rafael Devers was as advertised hitting over .300 with 5 homeruns and 21 RBI's.

The games count for real now. Will this club have enough to get back to the postseason after winning 90 games last year but missing the playoffs after a monumental collapse? Time will tell, but if Spring Training is any indication, it could be a long summer for the Birds on a Bat.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals Opening Day 26 Man Roster

Here is the Cardinals 2023 Opening Day Roster:

Rotation:

Jack Flaherty
Max Scherzer
Carlos Martinez
Matthew Liberatore (L)
Michael Wacha

Bullpen:

Dakota Hudson
Giovanny Gallegos
Tyler Webb (L)
Genesis Cabrera (L)
Kodi Whitley
Daniel Norris (L)
Roberto Osuna

Closer:

Alex Reyes


Lineup:

CF - Jasson Dominguez
2B - Tommy Edman
1B - Rafael Devers
3B - Nolan Gorman
SS - Paul DeJong
LF - Tyler O'Neill
RF - Dylan Carlson
C - Austin Nola
Pitcher Spot

Bench:

C - Ivan Herrera
IF - Edmundo Sosa
IF - Marwin Gonzalez
OF - Lane Thomas
OF - Adolis Garcia

Opening Day is April 3rd with the Cardinals hosting the Cleveland Indians

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Looking for help from fellow long time franchise players.

As you know this past offseason in my franchise was met with challenges when I experienced a hiccup or two that forced me to re-do parts of my offseason which bugged me. But I went through it and then went through Spring Training, had another scare although it worked out.

But in any event I remind of that to say this, I feel so disconnected with my franchise right now. I've played 10 regular season games, and while I still thoroughly enjoy the game, my connection to my "team" and franchise just isn't there. And a lot, actually all of it, has to do with how the offseason went and then the other hang up.

Re-starting the offseason again isn't something I'm going to do, but something I considered was simulating this season (and by simming meaning quick manage every game) and then seeing if going into a fresh offseason and going through it will help. Also thought about just starting completely over, year 1, but I don't know that I could enjoy that. I don't want to stop playing because I enjoy playing the game far too much.

I know the best solution is probably just tough out the next 152 games, but I've never felt this disconnected with my franchise.

And I know that ultimately its my decision because its my virtual world, but just looking for feedback/ideas because at the moment I have little interest in playing my franchise.

[LowerWolf]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

I've been there before, CB.

My suggestion is to step away from your franchise for a few days and take a break before getting back to it. Sometimes that helps me to kind of reset things in my head and get me going again.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Appreciate it Lowerwolf.

Its funny because I want to play, just can't get that connection with everything that happened. I don't even know if simming through the year would help fix that mindset, but its something I've done before. Though when I simmed a year before it was due to carryover going from '16 to '18. I had to obviously go a year through '17, so I simmed "quick managed" a season and then uploaded to '18 and continued playing.

So frustrating...

[jcar0725]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Appreciate it Lowerwolf.

Its funny because I want to play, just can't get that connection with everything that happened. I don't even know if simming through the year would help fix that mindset, but its something I've done before. Though when I simmed a year before it was due to carryover going from '16 to '18. I had to obviously go a year through '17, so I simmed "quick managed" a season and then uploaded to '18 and continued playing.

So frustrating...

Is starting a new, fresh franchise out of the question? Fantasy draft? Rebuild? etc....

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Is starting a new, fresh franchise out of the question? Fantasy draft? Rebuild? etc....

Its not out of the question, but I would still play as the Cardinals. I've tried doing franchise runs with other teams or fantasy drafts, but I quickly lose interest.

I'm wanting to keep this thing going as I'm hopeful that Y2Y saves will return, but just struggling to find the connection with all that's happened.

At the moment, while pondering this at work instead of working , I'm leaning towards simming this season and seeing if getting to a new offseason and all doesn't get me reconnected.

But that is subject to change in 5 minutes...

[jcar0725]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Its not out of the question, but I would still play as the Cardinals. I've tried doing franchise runs with other teams or fantasy drafts, but I quickly lose interest.

I'm wanting to keep this thing going as I'm hopeful that Y2Y saves will return, but just struggling to find the connection with all that's happened.

At the moment, while pondering this at work instead of working , I'm leaning towards simming this season and seeing if getting to a new offseason and all doesn't get me reconnected.

But that is subject to change in 5 minutes...

I totally get it man good luck ! It's nice to have multiple save slots in case you change your mind.