My First Strat Online Team

Hi,
This is my first post. I've played strat-o for years, but only recently did I start my first online team. I'm pretty aware of how to count cards and build team strategies etc, but I'm still new to this, so I'd appreciate any thoughts on my team.

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/team/1024669

My initial strategy, which I formed by poring over the 2012 set for hours, was to use a 4 man rotation with righty-oriented righties, with a swing man 5th starter who could substitute against lefty-heavy teams. I wanted a heavily specialized bullpen, which I got very cheap. I then drafted a heavy-platoon team where lefties had high obp and righties hit for big power. I chose target field because it is more righty power friendly but pitcher friendly overall, as my starters allow many HRs. My only mistake here was Chavez, who has too many bp HRs, but I don't know who to replace him with. I also picked several heavily injured players, figuring a handful of games missed here and there isn't too big an issue. Anyway, I'd appreciate any thoughts, advice, or criticism on my approach, since I'm new to the online game.

Your team is winning--congratulations--so I guess you could take my advice with a grain of salt. However, I think your starting staff is eventually going to get hammered by left handed hitting, particularly if there are a few Progressive teams out there. So I would exchange Detwiler and Arroyro, and maybe even Latos, for one or more LH starters and/or reverse righties. I dont think a "switch lefty" starter will do for all season.

Also, youre spending too much on catching. Although Rosario is doing well for you, that money could be better spent on improving your outfield (particularly Cowgill, Pierre, and Bernardina). Or, if you wanted a major overhaul, you could exchange Montero for a platoon catcher against righties (e.g. Pierzynski or Buck), platoon him with Rosario, and move that money to your outfield. Since I dont know who's available, I cant suggest anyone in particular.

Anyway, good luck on the rest of your season.

Thanks for the advice! For pitching, I do probably have too many strong R guys weak against lefties. My initial strategy was that I saw that leagues seemed to be about 55% RH hitters, so I wanted to maximize strengths by using righty-heavy guys who faced even more lefties in real life. However, it seems that everyone just platoons lefties against my bottom end guys, so they face about 55% lefties, where I'm getting less out of them than real life. Since most teams seem to platoon several spots, anyone have any thoughts on whether my idea of maximizing the stronger side is a feasible one?

Also, on catching, I have a different question. I use Montero as my catcher both ways, as his defense and arm are great and he hits righties very well and lefties solidly. I use Rosario as both my DH vs LHP and my backup C. I know I pay a premium for him being a catcher, but he absolutely bashes lefties about as well as anyone in the card set (22 HR chances). How much more does Rosario cost for being a (bad defensive) catcher than he would playing another position? I want to keep him, but I agree that I spent a ton on catching.

Also, in my outfield, I fully platoon Pierre, Bernadina, Bautista, and Chavez at 3B vs RHP, and Cowgill, Cain, Snider, and Bautista at 3B against LHP. I got these guys really cheap overall, but are they really bad? They get on base alot, and if Pierre would start hitting, I think they would do quite well. All advice and help is appreciated.

Writing with the phone here...

You're winning so don't make changes now.

Pitching is fine, unless you're in a LH park stick with RH SP.

Now with platoons you have to realize that the game won't pinch hit until the 8th inning and then won't always do what you want. It doesn't handle one platoon well, let alone that many. Just be aware of that.

And about your injuries, also be aware how the depth chart function works. You will have to make some manual changes when guys are injured as it doesn't always move guys from their first spot to a backup spot.

I've noticed platoons don't seem to be used particularly well. Avoid RHP/LHP doesn't seem to work an alarming amount of the time, even though most of my team has one or the other checked. However, only 96 of my team's 1207 atbats have been guys hitting against the wrong side, and a majority of those were injury fill-ins. And the platoons come really cheap - about 4 mil on average for a platoon where both guys are 45+ on base chances and decent enough defense. Do most people not use platoons here though? It seems to me I'm sacrificing about an at bat a game for some serious value.

I'm platooning Pierre/Cowgill in the leadoff spot on my 2nd team. It works pretty well, other than Hal won't pinch hit until about the 8th or 9th inning (if that). I wouldn't use more than 2 platoons but it is a good way to get some value

I predict injuries and lack of depth will be a big problem during the long haul.

[quote="NYY82602"]I've noticed platoons don't seem to be used particularly well. Avoid RHP/LHP doesn't seem to work an alarming amount of the time, even though most of my team has one or the other checked. However, only 96 of my team's 1207 atbats have been guys hitting against the wrong side, and a majority of those were injury fill-ins. And the platoons come really cheap - about 4 mil on average for a platoon where both guys are 45+ on base chances and decent enough defense. Do most people not use platoons here though? It seems to me I'm sacrificing about an at bat a game for some serious value.[/quote
I do not like to platoon unless there is a value guy like J.D. Martinez against LH in the 2011 set. With $80M it's tough having salary sitting on the bench

Since we're on the subject I thought I'd post my first online team. Like many of you I've played Strat for years but the online experience seems to be a bit different than the standard computer/netplay keeper leagues that I'm sure most of us are in (im in 5 of them for crying out loud!)
Anyway, this is a 24 team league (which I would not recommend for a first timer but I didn't know any better). I like the team and it's only 2 games out of first in a very compressed division

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/team/823038

Comments (especially critical ones) welcome

^ Garrett Jones is a beast for me and I have to play him in the field. He's a no brainer for DH. I platoon him with Casper Wells.

I came to online from a long layoff after playing the board game. My team is not so hot. I had David Price along with a terrible 5th starter and Price could never make up for that so IMHO, I'm not sure superstar SP is worth it if it's every 5th game. Maybe an superstar SP* is worth it.
http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/team/822393

I had Kemp but he was out for 12 games and then was about to be out some long time again so I just had to get rid of him with the 5% penalty.