Strat-O-Matic Baseball 365

So, I've finally decided to have my first (pay) team - ATG7 league, 25 man roster, no DH, $80 million cap.

Any recommendations?

For example, how much of your $80M would you allocate to SP, how much to the bullpen, how much towards speed (is it imperative to draft a 100 steal guy, or a leadoff hitter with 100 walks+). How many bats would you shell out over $5 million for?

How many lefties do you like to have in the bullpen? How many pinch-hit specialists? Any pinch runners/defensive replacements?

Who are some of your favourite players to draft? Any 'bargain' players you can recommend?

Thanks for the advice. Once my auto-draft league gets another 6 teams and drafts, I'll let you know how I did, and be asking for advice again.

First of all, welcome to ATG! I hope you'll end up enjoying it as much as most of the fellows playing here.

Obviously, you have posed a number of questions. I suggest that you peruse the forum to read some specific advice on various aspects of the game. I would offer here some general guidance and I'm sure others will chime in.

Park selection is very important. Because all of the teams will be loaded with stars, you need to maximize your park selection by selecting players who best fit it. This means if you select a park that favors right-handed power, make sure you loaded up on right-handed boppers to take advantage of it.

Your park will help determine your mix of hitting/pitching. At 80 million you will likely want to avoid really high-priced relievers unless you are going to rely on a "super reliever" like Murray, or Sutter et al who you'll set up to pitch a ton of innings. Speed is not unimportant in ATG but base stealing is usually not as powerful a weapon here as in actual baseball because most teams will have catchers with great arms. I would suggest selecting high OBP hitters as a general rule and then adjusting your power to your stadium choice.

Bench players, especially at 80 million cap levels, should be cheap players well under a mil. Otherwise they'll be sucking away valuable dollars better spent on starters. That is a common affliction among many new players. Also, at 80 million, you can engage platoons that will maximize value. There are many great veteran players who skillfully utilize platoons - you can find them on the forum if you look around a bit. Most of all, just have fun and when you begin, observe the division leaders in your league and learn what makes them good teams.

Another important point that I forgot on the previous post - defense is important! Certainly up the middle you want as many "1" or "2" ratings as you can. Guys can win with iffy defense, but I wouldn't suggest trying it at the outset; outs are tough enough to come by in ATG without giving away at bats!

It also helps to draft pitchers who benefit from your park, i.e. if your park favors LH hitters, get some pitchers who are effective against LH batters. As Harry said, don't waste $ on bench players or expensive relievers (but make sure you have a reliever who can close). Try to find position players you like who are low injury risks. Don't worry if you don't do well the first time out, and make sure to check out the successful teams in your league to see what they're doing that you're not.

Above all, have fun. Welcome to ATG.

Thanks for the warm welcome and advice guys. Appreciate it!

I have just finished a one week free trial league, so I have some understanding of the games (in particular the whole not spending a lot on players who are for the most part, going to ride bench, spending only 500k for the 5th SP, and then going with a 4 man rotation, etc).

I've also learned about the benefits of having a solid defense up the middle (at least one of the 2 MI should be a 1 for range, is how I figure it).

Oh - the park I selected for this season is Forbes Field, 1957. (If that helps).

Any other suggestions (ie, number of lefty-righties in the pen, etc) is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for any advice. I do try and incorporate all the advice I get.

This is how my draft turned out. I'm playing in '57 Forbes Field.
Pitchers (10) min. 9, max. 12 (total min. 24, max. 28)
Name Salary
Walsh, Ed (1910) 10.79M
White, Doc (1906) 10.13M
Gibson, Bob (1969) 7.54M
Coombs, Jack (1911) 1.97M
Martinez, Dennis (1983) .50M
Marshall, Mike (1979) 1.75M
Roberts, Dave (1979) .99M
Linzy, Frank (1972) .93M
Hassler, Andy (1982) .88M
Garman, Mike (1977) .79M

Hitters (15) min. 13, max. 17 (total min. 24, max. 28)
Name Salary
Masi, Phil (1946) 1.55M
Borders, Pat (1993) .57M
Greenberg, Hank (1940) 7.92M
Melillo, Ski (1931) 2.93M
Wiggins, Alan (1984) .68M
Mathews, Eddie (1953) 7.81M
Miller, Eddie (1945) 2.63M
Kress, Red (1929) .78M
Bonnell, Barry (1984) 1.06M
Wagner, Leon (1966) .95M
Walker, Harry (1946) .91M
Davis, Tommy (1965) .52M
Alou, Matty (1970) .66M
Salmon, Tim (1995) 8.51M
Webb, Earl (1931) 5.00M

Thoughts on this team? I'll post a second message, showing you what my team would look like if my waiver claims go through.

(Things you like / don't like / ways you'd improve it).

Pitchers (10) min. 9, max. 12 (total min. 24, max. 28)
Name T Salary
Walsh, Ed (1910) R 10.79M
Drysdale, Don (1965) R 4.99M
Kaat, Jim (1965) L 4.47M
Coombs, Jack (1911) R 1.97M
Martinez, Dennis (1983) R .50M
Marshall, Mike (1979) R 1.75M
Roberts, Dave (1979) L .99M
Linzy, Frank (1972) R .93M
Hassler, Andy (1982) L .88M
Garman, Mike (1977) R .79M


Hitters (15) min. 13, max. 17 (total min. 24, max. 28)
Name B Salary
Masi, Phil (1946) R 1.55M
Borders, Pat (1993) R .57M
Sisler, George (1921) L 7.67M
Sandberg, Ryne (1984) R 8.24M
Wiggins, Alan (1984) S .68M
Miller, Eddie (1945) R 2.63M
Kress, Red (1929) R .78M
Lindstrom, Freddie (1928) R 6.41M
Wagner, Leon (1966) L .95M
Simmons, Al (1925) R 8.61M
Alou, Matty (1970) L .66M
McGee, Willie (1985) S 6.57M
Webb, Earl (1931) L 5.00M

Batting Order:
McGee CF
Lindstrom 3B
Sisler 1B
Simmons RF
Webb LF
Sandberg 2B
Miller SS
Masi C
P

Not only do Sisler, Sandberg, and Simmons bring some big bats, they've also got pretty solid gloves as well (I almost went with Chuck Klein, but only want 1 "4" in my outfield.

Thanks again for any advice - much appreciated!

(My thinking - in this particular park, to have high average hitters, with power - but not necessarily just HR hitters). I also tried to get good defensive players - at least up the middle.

BTW - anyone know why some days when I send direct messages, they get stuck in my outbox? I've got a few stuck there now...

That's a pretty good squad in post waivers you've assembled, but a few observations, if you will...

*Not sure you need Walsh there at the top of the rotation; lots of good starters that will save you a couple million in salary. I say this because I would replace Webb for better defense - that 4 is going to cost you - and upgraded offense. Lots of good options in the 8 mil and under level for RF.

*Sandberg is OK, but you can also save there and still get high OBP and defense with guys like Fox or Stanky if available.

I also think an upgrade is necessary at closer - maybe Wilcy Moore, Scott Garrelts.

Thanks for the input! I'll see what I can do after my waiver period ends!

(For curiousity - how long do waivers last before I can just pick up / drop players straight to Free Agents).

My rationale for Sandberg (besides the good defence), was that my team was short of power - and he would provide that (and by power I was going for doubles and triples as much as I was homers).

The waiver time is listed on your Front Office page. It is pretty much instantaneous. As soon as waivers are over, you can pick up free agents.

I think your team is good. Drysdale and Kaat are excellent starters in Forbes. I agree you could save on Walsh, move to someone in the 7-8 million range and have money to spend elsewhere.

Frisch is a great 2b in Forbes, but he is usually drafted. I agree that Fox can be good. I even like the cheapest R Alomar card, although many people don't. He is a great fielder and will have good OBP in Forbes. Never had great luck with Ryne, but some people like him.

I use Eddie Miller at SS from time to time, but in power parks. His ballparks HRs don't go out of Forbes and he won't hit for a very high average. And he gets hurt. If you free up a little money, Aybar, Bowa, several Aparacio cards would all be better for that park.