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Anyone ever try to draft on the basis of bullpen? I saw a post by honestiago where he talked about doing this with some success in a computer league with 80s players, but I'd like to try it against human managers. But first I want to poll the experts... I've got some credits to burn, but I don't want to do this experiment if others have tried and failed miserably.

Here's what I'm thinking: basically draft top notch defense up the middle (maybe Sandberg, Trammell, Kirby), then go to relievers, maybe 3 top notch guys... Eck, Sutter, Gossage, etc. Then go back to hitters, focusing on speedy table setters or guys who hit deep fly balls. For SP, I'd probably try to draft a 4-man rotation with cheapies. Preferably, these guys would have one good season and four terrible ones. I'd just keep rotating the SPs till I get a staff that seems to be in good years.

I'd pick a pitcher's park, maybe Oakland or Comiskey or Astrodome.

Basically, I'd set all the SPs to quick hook, and try to abuse giving the bullpen as many innings as I can. Hopefully they get about 4/9 innings.

Any comments? Suggestions or experiences?

In one of the leagues I played, a manager drafted .75 pitcher's and 5 RP aces. The team was called, appropriately, "Strange Experiment." I believe they played in Royals, and went to the finals, if I'm not mistaken.

It ain't sexy but it is important. Trying to capitalize on one absolute strength leads to heartache more often than not. Try to develop a team that is can compete in most categories and be dominant in one category in at least [i:de796b2d35]one[/i:de796b2d35] category and you'll be on to something.

I have found that as long as you have a closer, a setup guy vs. righty and a setup guy vs. lefties that it won't really matter who else you've got in the pen. The best bullpens have a "one-two" punch in there to take care of business.

What can you expect from a balanced team with one dominant aspect? Probably about a .536 winning percentage. 6 out of 10 times it is a pennant bound team...

I had a lot of trouble winning games in a theme league recently, and on one of those "Oh how much worse could it get?" type of whims I pumped $15 million into the pen. I picked up Henke and Holland to add to Sutter and the others. It turned my season around and though I eventually traded Henke for a hitter...my team ended up good enough to take the wild-card, and also the championship. It was the most expensive pen I've ever had, but, it turned a poor season around.

Jimmy, would love to see a link to that team. Thanks.

Here you go BC Manager:

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/team/team_other.html?user_id=73290

This team was NOT pretty, but it got the job done. Henke was not on the final roster but he posted these numbers while I had him:

Yr Tm G W L S IP H ER BB SO ERA WHIP
SIM FIG 41 3 4 24 66.2 46 24 28 71 3.24 1.11

Honestiago is right. The Team "Strange Experiment" won it all with 5 $.75 pitchers and an expensive bullpen. My team lost 9 in a row down the stretch :x , and this team snuck in. Here is the thread:

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=52559&stats=sim

I drafted a team with Henke as a closer, then picked up TWO 4M setup guys/long relivers (Harris and Ward). I drafted an team of all 1's, except for Barfield in RF. My top two starters are average dudes capable of having great years (Martinez & Alexander). I am gambling on Hudson and C. Young to producxe decent years (these are good guys to gamble on, in general). Basically, I'm going to see if run prevention works. albeit not in the "strange experiment" mode.

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/team/team_other.html?user_id=74943

Forget the pen, Strange Experiment batted almost .300.

Check this team out.


http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/team/team_other.html?user_id=74679

Pretty studly set of relievers, but my whip and ERA is right at the league average even though I'm pitching in Anaheim stadium.

It has become painfully obvious to me that I am clueless.

But I'm HOOKED on the @#^@#^'80's.