[Fyrestorm3]

Posted in the "Maximizing AI" thread:

Originally Posted by Fyrestorm3

One of my personal favorite rule changes I've made was to lower the expanded roster size down to 30 (on a standard 25-man roster).

I've always found that the computer doesn't handle the expanded rosters very well; when the rosters expand, a whole bunch of guys get called up, and then the computer re-evaluates its team based on the personnel it now has. So on occasion, you'd see some weird roster configurations or in-game moves. Scrub players getting starts in important series, for example, or minor league pitchers coming into a stretch game and blowing the team's playoff chances. Basically, the game can sometimes have trouble distinguishing the difference between the original 25-man roster and the September Call-Ups. It's not really a problem for the top or bottom teams in the league, but it's really disconcerting to see a team fighting for a playoff spot in the last week of the season, yet fielding a lineup with two AAA outfielders.

A smaller expanded roster not only reduces this effect (the only way to completely eliminate it would be to take out the rule altogether), but it also provides a little bit of strategy in deciding which 5 players are worth bringing up to the majors. You've got one spot left; do you go with the lefty arm you could really use, or the speedy outfielder for a pinch runner?