Can A Team Be "Saved" By The FA??

[Simon31]

I have had a number of teams I've tried to save through the FA. It always seems like it's easier to try and save a team by upgrading hitting as the pitching always seems to be pretty thin, especially in the 100 mil leagues. A couple of teams I've managed to turn around but it always seems like it's too little and too late. Other teams, just seem like they can't be saved as switching players does nothing to turn them around. I'm curious what the consensus is on trying to keep a team from tanking. Trades aside, do most try and save their teams with hitting upgrades or pitching? Or do you simply look at the stats and say "aha...my pitching is killing me so I'll just go for that!??"

[Munich_Man]

A few comments--

If I notice pitchers are performing below expectations, I will shuffle the rotation. It's amazing what that can do sometimes. Matchups can be important. If Hughson is getting killed in the two slot, move him to #3. Look at your innings, if Garber has 25 IP and Taylor has 75, you need to adjust.

I regularly tweak my lineups. If I notice a player is "hot" I'll run with him until he cools off. Although it is pure dice, the cards do have streaks, just like real life. Current example, Sanguillen went down and Pena came in and was absolutely on fire. Now I'm platooning them for the time being and it is working great!

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/team/team_other.html?user_id=110816

I once went nearly an entire season platooning Hegan and Bench.

When I adjust my lineups, I usually go to the L/R stats and adjust accordingly, putting the high OBP at the top high slugging at 3,4,5,6 etc..
I sometimes get some wacky looking lineups this way(based on the players involved), but you need to constantly adjust. Hey, if Frank White is batting .400 vs. LHP, why not lead him off? Until he cools down, of course. That's where the last 10 game performance stats come in.
Playing with the managerial settings can also help. Look at your manager stats. If you're stealing bases at a .500 clip, you need to adjust. If you have a ton of H&R attempts and nothing to show for it, you need to adjust.

Of course, going the trade route is always an option, but trades in ATG are few and far between, unfortunately (many related threads on that at the moment).

I do hit the FA list on occasion as well, but usually as a last resort, and mose likely only one or two players. I have "saved" a few seasons by doing this, but it is important not to overdo it and be extremely selective.

One thing I highly recommend if hitting the wire, map out your transactions beforehand and make sure you have the $$ you need to do what you want to. Do the math! Nothing more frustrating than coming to your last transaction and finding you are lacking $10,000.

One last thing-- have patience. If Musial is hitting .250, he won't be doing that forever. Be confident in the team you put together and play to their strengths. Believe in your team and they will reward you for it (yes, I know they're only cards :roll: )

Those who say ATGII is a draft and forget game simply don't know what they are talking about.

Just a few thoughts.

(_)ß

[bkeat23]

[quote:15320af0ef]One thing I highly recommend if hitting the wire, map out your transactions beforehand and make sure you have the $$ you need to do what you want to. Do the math! Nothing more frustrating than coming to your last transaction and finding you are lacking $10,000.
[/quote:15320af0ef]

Please allow me to add...do the math [b:15320af0ef]twice[/b:15320af0ef] :D

[Ruths ruffians]

I try not to go to the wire but I have done it a few times with good success. I have a team going now where I started with Mantle and started horribly I think because my pitching wasn't strong. I dropped Mantle for Doby, added W.Ford and Seaver and the team is now on an 11 game win streak so go figure.

Dean

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/team/team_other.html?user_id=110817

[Simon31]

Munich Man, great comments! I have done most of what you suggested at one time or another with the exception of changing my pitching rotation. I never thought of that! :oops: You are right about the dice rolls going in streaks. I don't usually push the panic button until I hit game 100 and I'm double digits behind. Part of the problem is getting stuck in that 4* man rotation. When the pitching tanks, you either pick up another * starter (unless the relievers are getting killed,) or try and restructure for a 5 man rotation. The former seems easier to do. Some guys you just have to ride out because there isn't anything better availible. I've had horrible performances from W.Hernandez and W.Fryman no matter how I change the settings. Sometimes luck IS a factor!

[MICHAELTARBELL]

[quote:6d130a0832]One last thing-- have patience. If Musial is hitting .250, he won't be doing that forever. Be confident in the team you put together and play to their strengths. Believe in your team and they will reward you for it (yes, I know they're only cards ) [/quote:6d130a0832]

Your best quote MM, very well put! :)

[sschu]

Drop/adds are usually bad ideas, but there are exceptions. IMHO, dropping a good player because he is "underperforming" is not a good plan, good players usually come around, albeit sometimes too late. Often the add player does no better.

If you must make changes in mid season, do so with a specific objective in mind such as taking advantage of a team's weakness or correcting a weakness the other guys have identified in your team. These changes should be focused on beating teams ahead of you in your division, teams you HAVE TO beat to make the playoffs.

An example for me was a Y56 team that was struggling late in the year, LH SPs were killing me and the division leader had 3 platoons that were doing well. I dumped Speaker (I know, sacrilege) and an SP, picked up Rettenmund and Palmer (more effective vs platoons). The team matched up much better vs the leader, we won the head-to-head games and took the division.

This is an exception, but occasionally it works.

FWIIW, sschu

[OdysseyTigger]

[quote="sschu"
This is an exception, but occasionally it works.

FWIIW, sschu[/quote]

Yes it does........but far more often a team is saved by the other teams FA moves. :)

[sschu]

OT,

LOL! Agree completely. Nothing is better than to have a team up by 5 or 6 at game 100 and see the 2nd or 3rd place team out on the wire making wholesale changes.

Good point, sschu

[egvrich]

FA moves only work if you are correcting a "flaw" in your team. A well built team is generally always a well built team. But, sometimes you simply make a mistake or don't get the guys you wanted and settle for someone else. In those cases, yes the wire can improve your team.

I have on more than one occasion salvaged a season by hitting the wire. But, to be certain it does not always work. And, you can totally destroy a team via the wire just as easily.

A more important point is that sometimes a team drops a very good player who is perfect for your team. In those cases, I almost always try to make the pickup in those cases.

For example: If I have a smallball team and somebody drops Meusel, he's a must pickup.