Playing Spring Training: Approach to 40-man?

[NEOPARADIGM]

Note: This might belong in the roster forum, I dunno.

* * *

So I've decided to ditch my current Franchise file and just wait for OSFM 2.0 to drop; when it does I'm gonna go 1-team control and never look back en route to a 200+ hour adventure, starting with spring training.

Now here's the thing: without non-roster invitees, only players on the 40-man can play during spring ball. Ok, fine. But to use my Tigers as an example, their current 40-man is their starting 9, JD Martinez (DL), their 4 backup position players, and then literally everyone else is a pitcher. I assume many teams' 40-man rosters are in a similar if not identical state. Point being, using current/real 40-man rosters would sorta kill the fun of spring training (playing around with a ton of different lineups, playing out position battles, seeing if some rook can make the team, etc.). So that seems to mean "custom" 40-man rosters for both myself and the CPU.

My question is: what are some ideas on how to set up 40-man rosters in a way that facilitates a fun spring training experience but that also doesn't mess anything up (particularly for the CPU) once advancing to the regular season? What are some pitfalls to look out for? Is this approach even possible without 30-team control? (I'd really like to avoid that.)

In short: what's a good way to organize everyone's 40-man such that it can make for a fun spring while also not setting any unforeseen traps for myself or the AI?

Hope the problem & question is clear.

Cheers.

[Caulfield]

I like to carry 3 of each position plus 7 or 8 starting pitchers and 9 or 8 relievers.
works well enough for me and I have no major (IMO) issues.
once I'm well into the season I usually remove one of the position players and replace him with a reliever or occasionally a starting pitcher. I just make sure the guy coming off is someone I dont mind losing from my team for good. I always have 2 or 3 candidates for MEP* on my team.

*Most Expendable Player AKA Mr. Irrelevant

[Jr.]

Good post above ^

I follow a similar plan. I like to have a couple of young prospects that might have a chance to make the 25 man roster. I also like to have a couple of older vets that I don't mind removing from the 40 man if needed. As for balance, I want to have at least 3 deep at each position. I love flexibility within my roster, so players that can play infield and outfield are a big asset. I'll usually have 7-8 starters that I can rotate and a couple of extra relievers.