How many things could I have done wrong?

I've been gone for a while and this is my first team since ATGIV. Yes, I know it's only been nine games, but I can see where this is going and wanted advice on what I did wrong and how not to do it in the future. That is unless you want to use me as an easy mark the rest of the way.
I can already see that my pitching is way too expensive and I needed to spend more on hitting. Plus, my park isn't helping me in any way, in fact, it's probably helping my opponents more than me.
But let's hear it, I'm all for some good criticism.

D

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/team/1121113

This team is not so bad IMO. Do not hurt yourself with crash judgement and drops.

I would suggest you tweak your settings....Farmer for instance should not have any innings....(slot him as a 5th starter, and still quick hook, avoid LHB).

You might look toward a less neutral park in the future, and build your team to your strength, but the entire division you are in is neutral, so you should at least not be at too much a disadvantage.

Let your gloves and iron men play. I suspect the next 9 will be much better.

You also would be better served to get rid of the 3rd catcher. (Personally, I would probably use the $ to upgrade a reliever and grab a very cheap pinch hitter with the change .... For example, drop Tamargo for a Ping Bodie type, then you should have .65 or more to use).

I would make some drops...I know it will hurt but you will free up some cash for some better offense...
Drop Rickert pick up cheap Bennett...rocks as lefty set-up and works well in lefty parks as spot starter...

Drop Carlton and Ryan...Pick up Ceccerelli and Cheap Boswell (you will be delighted) drop Drysdale pick up Claude Hendrix...this will leave some cash to upgrade CF plus


Good Luck...

Of course this is what I would do.............

Some very good, but conflicting advice so far. I did move Farmer into the fifth slot and put a ton of restrictions on him, but I may have to make some changes as I had no idea Doby would be this bad. I really got blinded setting this team up with the illusion that excellent fielding would make an exponentional difference. Looking back at some older teams I realize that is not necessarily true. But is there one guy to replace Doby that might make a difference? What's most important for this team? A guy with a lot of HR's and high SLG? Like the $9.14 Griffey or the '53 Snider?

Some very good, but conflicting advice so far. I did move Farmer into the fifth slot and put a ton of restrictions on him, but I may have to make some changes as I had no idea Doby would be this bad. I really got blinded setting this team up with the illusion that excellent fielding would make an exponentional difference. Looking back at some older teams I realize that is not necessarily true. But is there one guy to replace Doby that might make a difference? What's most important for this team? A guy with a lot of HR's and high SLG? Like the $9.14 Griffey or the '53 Snider?

You may want to give Doby some more time. His roll count so far is 40%/60% pitcher biased. He is one of the few homerun threats you have.

That's an excellent point. I see Nellie fox has an even worse percentage than Doby. Still, dies he have enough power to help this team enough when he comes back around?

Your lineup lacks rbi guys. Consider replacing weak Gardner with a power hitting 3B or LF if you move Rose. Dale Murray and secondary Richart should be bullpen workhorses. Those other guys should not pitch that much. I wouldn't tinker with your bench now, but next time remember if you have a lot of injury bulletproof guys-The bench should be dirt cheap. You don't need bench players priced close to a million. That's a couple million or so wasted.

I might replace Gardner with someone who has a little power.
I would show patience with Doby. He is not going to put up numbers that Snider or Griffey would but is not going to finish anywhere close to the .114 SLGing you are getting so far. That is just low sample size.

Quick add looks like you are 30 mil pitching and 50 mil hitting which is not a terrible balance.
Roles might need to be adjusted. Richert has only 1/3 of an inning. Suspect that means you have him set as lefty specialist avoid R max 1 inning. I would not make my second highest paid reliever a low inning specialist.
And 0.5 mil Farmer has 7 innings which is second highest and only 2/3 less than Murray. Set him as your 5th starter so he will not get used except in an emergency. Otherwise pitching should improve some over course of season.

Thanks for the advice, Valen. Most people tell me to wait before making many changes, which I might do. I understand 9 games is not a huge sample size, but 3 of my 8 losses have the word "annihilated" in the game headline, which is alarming after only 9 games. I did have slow hooks for my starters, which I have turned off. Also, I didn't have any restrictions on my pitching. Everything to this point is HAL's doing regarding my relievers. I did have Murray set to being closer, setup, middle, and slow hook, but also don't play in blowouts, which is probably why he has not played much yet.
Funny you mention Gardner, though. He has a pretty good card, but always underperformed for me in ATGIV, but his defense sold me. He is doing well now, but I do need a better hitter and I could get the money getting cheaper SP's. You think that's where I should get the needed money?