Platoons, equal number of Uneven starters, or balance?

[tersignf]

Any anecdotal thoughts on the success of these methods over the long haul? Except for one Shea team in 2005, all my 2003 and 2005 teams have had good offenses using mostly method 1 with a mixing of 2 and 3 (maybe one of each type). And in 05 I've only played the Tour so the competition has been very tough compared to all my 2003 teams spanning a couple usernames. Usually it's my pitching and not my offense that kills me!

Anyway, may seem like a stupid question, but this gets to the core of whether you choose HAL to treat you right in the late innings with avoid LHP/RHP, pinch hitters, etc. Like, is it better to minimize your weaknesses and have a lineup of 9 decent balanced hitters all with 35-40 OBs, TBs or have 4 guys who crush the opposition, a couple average guys, and 2-3 subpar types? Again, neutral park etc.
Cheers
Frank

[LMBombers]

I didn't vote because I didn't see my answer as one of the choices. I like fairly balanced players (not exceeding 2L or 2R) for the most part. It they are more slanted that that I usually consider them a platton player. I also like to have 1 or 2 positions that I platoon at. IMO you don't want a whole lineup of platoons because that leaves you susceptable to a RP coming in early that pitches the other way which will kill your lineup. Granted by that time you probably already have some runs which is a good thing. However HAL is not quick about substituting in your platoon partner until around the 8th inning it seems so if an opposite RP comes in early you are typically screwed until later in the game or until another RP comes in that might switch back to the correct side for your hitters.

[JdEarly]

Yeah, I tend to platoon A-Rod and Beltre at 3B... :P

Personally, I don't worry about slants too much until I start working on my bench. I wouldn't go out and grab a hard righty batter for Shea, but I wouldn't rule them out entirely if they fit into my budget and what else is going on in my division. I think the lineup you're describing with major balance and HAL working right and all of that stuff could only happen in Heaven. Very ideal. Here's what I tend to try - most of my hitters, for some reason, tend to be right around 1L on the slant. I offset that with a solid left handed righty killer (J.T. Snow, for example) so that people can't toss their righties out there and make a fool out of me. I'm tired, I might not be making any sense.

Pitching wise, I try to go with a stud at the front (generally Santana if I can get him) and then mix and match from there on out. I worry more about what hand they throw with than their slant if they're starting. In the bullpen, I try to get Lidge or Wagner, and then match up guys behind them - Graves and Cotts as reverse pitchers, Brower and a left handed lefty killer as specialists.

I'm sorry if I don't make any sense. Bed, here I come!

[tersignf]

Ha--only a mere 19 mil on the platoon and it still isn't quite Bonds!

No, you make good points. Kind of a false choice on the poll...just looking for thoughts. I've mostly ended up not using the severe one-sided guys unless they're cheap, but I never considered what about Drew, Byrnes, and Taguchi in the outfield, etc vs davanon/magruder, with 2 even guys etc.