I ran a 2025 test game using the latest patch. A few unscientific observations:
1. The AI did not release any players drafted in 2025. I checked after the season and ALL players taken in the 2025 draft were still with their teams. (I imported the actual 2025 draft results.) That's good!
My universe setup includes an additional 30-team Low-A league, so that I have AAA, AA, A+, A, A-, and the Florida, Arizona, and Dominican Rookie leagues. For active roster size, minimum age, maximum age, and service time limits, I settled on the following:
MLB: 26
AAA: 26-0-0-0
AA: 26-0-0-7
A+: 26-0-25-6
A: 30-0-24-5
A-: 30-0-24-4
R (AZ & FL): unlimited-0-0-3
R (Domincan): 30-0-20-3
I'll probably increase the draft rounds from 20 to 30 or 40 next time because of the extra Low-A teams. But from what I saw, there appeared to always be enough players across all minor league teams.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karl Pagel Blues
Another problem I see is the AI signs too many late 20 to early 30 scrub players who get stashed at Triple A or Double A.
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2. This is no longer a problem. It seems the latest patch fixed this. There were relatively few journeymen in their late 20s to 30s clogging the AAA rosters. Very good!
I'm using the four independent leagues (Atlantic, American, Pioneer, Frontier). I adjusted their financials to allow them to attract and sign these 4-A journeymen players instead of them ending up in AAA. That's working really well. And I increased the price to purchase one of these independent league players to $ 1,000,000 to discourage the AI from buying too many of them, which previously happened when the price was $ 250,000.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karl Pagel Blues
The AI (still) releases a lot of minor league players over the course of the season. Only 2-star and lower players were cut. And the AI also (still) signs a lot of minor league free agents who are no better (and often older) than those it released.
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3. The AI is still releasing too many two-star and lower potential minor leaguers (age 22-26, usually pitchers, mostly relievers), and then it immediately signs a 2-star or lower potential minor leaguer (same age range, pitcher, usually reliever) as a replacement.
This isn't game-breaking. It's slightly annoying because there is just too much release-sign, release-sign, release-sign going on in the minor leagues. Again, if the newly signed player is better (or younger) than the released player, fine. But that's rarely the case. Too much unnecessary (and unrealistic) minor league roster churn.
4. The AI is still signing players to minor league contracts before immediately releasing them again. One example: 26 year old minor league RP Wilkel Hernandez - see below image.
3/14/2025: Released by the Detroit Tigers organization
3/31: Signed by Tigers, 4/01: Released by Tigers
4/07: Signed by Guardians, 4/08: Released by Guardians
4/14: Signed by Orioles, 4/15: Released by Orioles
4/21: Signed by Orioles; 5/02: Released by Orioles
5/05: Signed by Pirates, 5/06: Released by Pirates
5/12: Signed by Diamondbacks, 5/13: Released by Diamondbacks
5/16: Signed by Phillies, 5/17: Released by Phillies
5/19: Signed by Reds, 5/20: Released by Reds
5/26: Signed by Cardinals, 5/27: Released by Cardinals
6/02: Signed by Padres: 6/03: Released by Padres
6/09: Signed by Rangers, 6/10: Released by Rangers
6/17: Signed by Giants, 6/18: Released by Giants
6/23: Signed by Phillies, 6/24: Released by Phillies
6/30: Signed by Cardinals, 7/01: Released by Cardinals
7/07: Signed by Athletics, 7/08 Released by Athletics
7:14: Signed by Guardians, 7:15: Released by Guardians
7/21: Signed by Nationals, 7/22: Released by Nationals
7/28: Signed by Twins, 7/29: Released by Twins
8/04: Signed by Red Sox, 8/05: Released by Red Sox
8/12: Signed by Astros, 8/13: Released by Astros
8/18: Signed by Mariners, 8/19: Released by Mariners
8/27: Signed by Tigers, 8/28: Released by Tigers
9/01: Signed by Athletics, 9/02: Released by Athletics
9/08: Signed by Diamondbacks, 9/09: Released by Diamondbacks
9/16: Signed by Royals, 9/17: Released by Royals
9/24: Signed by Royals, 10/06: Released by Royals
(regular season ended October 7th)
Otherwise, things are working quite well. I'm finally going to start a long-term save game tomorrow. Thank you to the Developers for constantly working to improve this complex and wonderful game!