Archive of SportingNews.com's old SOM Baseball forum

OK VETS-what rules do you use when constructing a team? Here are some of mine:

1) Defense- 2's at SS and 2b; or 1-3 combo; 2 in CF
2) Skewed hitting to hit RHP (at least 7 hitters skewed to hit RHP)
3) Cheap LH platoons (less than $1 million)
4) No more than 2 weak ("W") hitters in hitting parks. In pitchers parks-3 are okay.
5) OBP-try to get at least .340 out of anyone in the lineup.
6) Pitching- No more than 2 LH starters. Relief- 1 Closer; 1 Reverse LHP; 1 Reverse RHP; 1 Hard RHP; 1 Hard LHP. Light BP HRs in hitters parks; Low WHIPs with BP HRs okay in pitchers parks.
7) Skewed Parks (Shea or Wrigley) 7 LH hitters okay when skewed; 3 LH hitters oaky in Wrigley.

Any others?

I got 1's at 2B and CF. A 2 at SS. IRod at catcher. Gordon at setup, Rivera for closer, and Atchison, Graves, and Cotts to round out the bullpen. I'm 31-23 but expected to be better considering I started out 13-5.

I think I might go back to using Petco later on cuz I like those extreme parks.

I propose you retitle your list the "All things being equal with most teams in neutral parks team Construction Guidelines". I'm sure most on the list are legitimately helpful generalities. However, many things change, especially in most autoleagues with the usually skewed number of LH parks or Petco's or others. Also, many get carried away with the no "3" rated defender idea, as if it was passed down from God to Moses with the rest of the commandments. Most times it is better not to have a "3" rated player, but I have been in the finals of three leagues(two vet) the only times I used a "3" in CF(twice) and 2B(1). [b:b629ceb59a][/b:b629ceb59a]

I started off with some similar rules for building my teams and had some success. But I found even when I won that was boring. I now start each team off with some theme. Each team perhaps in a ballpark I have not used. Or I draft with strong emphasis on overall defense, or a speed team, or slugging, etc. You get the idea. And I try to use at least a half dozen players I have never used before on each team. That helps keep it interesting as each team then has its own unique challenges.

Of course I am not one of those who play 5000 teams so it is still possible for me to find a half dozen decent players I have not used when I start a new team. :lol: