The lack of (and need for) 50 cent SP's

Been a long time since I've been on the boards, so please forgive me if this topic has already been addressed.

The new set has a big cut in the number of $.50 SP's. These invaluable fillers were undoubtedly some of the most frequently used cards from ATG7, and hence SOM felt compelled to raise the price on many of them. Thus, ATG8 now has a shortage.

As many teams feature 4 SP*'s and 3 RP's, at least 1 pure $.50 SP is a necessity if a manager wants to avoid the tedious task of loading "Per Game Starters" for the duration of the season. So, this has led to having to use un-naturally high draft picks to get the few remaining ones. High draft picks (well, mid-level perhaps) wasted on guys who will never throw a pitch.

Can we please have enough of these cards added back to the set so that there are enough to go around?

Or better yet, how about dropping the unrealistic requirement (at least for vintage baseball) of having to field a team with 9 pitchers.

Maybe I'm missing something, but if you have 4 SP* and put a .50 SP/RP in the #5 spot of your rotation, that pitcher will not get used in relief. There are 34 .50 pitchers who can start.

But I would like to throw it out there that there should be more .50 versions of some of the top players, especially 1986 Greg Maddux.

Appreciate the reply Adrian, maybe I didn't explain myself well?

If you have 4 SP*s and 3 RPs, then you will need two $.50 SPs to complete your staff. Thus, at least 1 needs to be a pure SP or else you are forced into the "per game" rigmarole.

The real problem is not the lack of nickel starters. It is the fact we have to carry 5 even though we have 4 * starters and do not need that 5th starter. Has long been my contention only 4 should be required.

Regarding 86 Maddux. Great timing. I just finished reading an article about top rookies with potential to be great this year. It began mentioning Maddux rookie year. I wonder how many of us would have picked up Maddux in our keeper fantasy leagues during that 86 or 87 season because we knew he what he would be from 88 on?

Maybe I'm missing something, but if you have 4 SP* and put a .50 SP/RP in the #5 spot of your rotation, that pitcher will not get used in relief. There are 34 .50 pitchers who can start.

But I would like to throw it out there that there should be more .50 versions of some of the top players, especially 1986 Greg Maddux.

If you put the .50 SP/RP in your rotation he will start every 5th game. He will be in your rotation.

The real problem is not the lack of nickel starters. It is the fact we have to carry 5 even though we have 4 * starters and do not need that 5th starter. Has long been my contention only 4 should be required.

BINGO Valen!

Nor do we need 9 pitchers total... I'm thinking 6 would be optimal!

Maybe I'm missing something, but if you have 4 SP* and put a .50 SP/RP in the #5 spot of your rotation, that pitcher will not get used in relief. There are 34 .50 pitchers who can start.

But I would like to throw it out there that there should be more .50 versions of some of the top players, especially 1986 Greg Maddux.

If you put the .50 SP/RP in your rotation he will start every 5th game. He will be in your rotation.

He would not start at all if you list your 4 SP* ahead of him in the Default Rotation.

But he may throw some minimal relief innings

Maybe I'm missing something, but if you have 4 SP* and put a .50 SP/RP in the #5 spot of your rotation, that pitcher will not get used in relief. There are 34 .50 pitchers who can start.

But I would like to throw it out there that there should be more .50 versions of some of the top players, especially 1986 Greg Maddux.

If you put the .50 SP/RP in your rotation he will start every 5th game. He will be in your rotation.

He would not start at all if you list your 4 SP* ahead of him in the Default Rotation.

But he may throw some minimal relief innings

ok, so the SP* will be used. Good to know. thanks.

Back in the 1st few incarnations of ATG, you only had to have 8 pitchers total. I would settle for that.

-The Sheik

If you put the .50 SP/RP in your rotation he will start every 5th game. He will be in your rotation.

He would not start at all if you list your 4 SP* ahead of him in the Default Rotation.

But he may throw some minimal relief innings

ok, so the SP* will be used. Good to know. thanks.

Yes, if your 4 SP* guys are listed 1-4 in Default Rotation, you will never reach spot 5 unless one of your other 4 gets injured.

I STILL agree that the .50 SP-only guys shouldn't have been raised in price, however.