by Moodymets » Sun Jan 29, 2006 9:07 am
A couple of quick(?) thoughts on your initial team:
1) When I've gone extreme pitching, I've also attempted to go extreme defense. But EITHER way, I make it a priority to have a "1" with low errors at 2B, SS and CF (when possible that is... if I can't grab a "1" at 2B, I'll make sure there's one at SS and vice versa - I haven't fielded a team that doesn't have a "1" in CF) . Hits can be turned into outs and outs can be turned into double plays. I think your undoing may very well have been Wiggins at 2B and even Becker in CF (17 errors with a 2 rating is not strong). Wagner, for being a "1", still allows too many baserunners due to his # of errors to be considered a good def SS.
2) Eck, for his price, isn't going to get enough innings to justify being on a strong staff like this one, especially when your offense will clearly need some more attention.
I wouldn't be too discouraged with your first shot... if you were in that many close games despite these two issues, I think you're closer to having a good competitive team than you believe you are. I'd say, go with the same concept as before, even with a majority of the same players, but try upgrading your def and utilizing closer $ in your lineup somehow and see how it goes. :)
Especially in the beginning stages, it is critical for you to analyze players performances over a full season... I wish I had realized that more when I first stared out doing this. Ironically, I tinker much more now with teams of mine that are playing over .500 than teams that aren't for that reason: I can always go back to my poorer teams to utilize lessons I learned along the way with them, making my future teams better.
Good luck and enjoy!!!!