Expansion draft settings

brewers22 · 07-29-2015, 10:56 AM

After years of flip flopping back and forth between real and fictional leagues, I have finally landed on a league structure that I am enjoying more than any other I have tried ----- real MLB with two expansion teams. (Don't ask why that didn't occur to me sooner......)

After starting a 2015 MLB league, I add two expansion teams and take over as GM of one of them. So I have 16 teams in each league and no inter-league play.

For those that have done this, what draft settings do you use? How many players to protect per team, how many rounds, and any max on players drafted per team??

Also, my minor league affiliates end up with only one or two players per team, is there a way to fill out all teams with fictionals other then doing it by each individual team for both expansion teams? I've tried the league-wide "fill with fictionals" and it doesn't add any players to my teams.

brewers22 · 07-29-2015, 10:59 AM

Oh, one more question....

Why are there no Assistant GM's available to sign??? I can't even add one to the available personnel.

sreem · 07-29-2015, 11:02 AM

I do this same structure only I contract the league by 2 first (usually Miami and Houston) to keep the balance and interleague play.

I usually leave the protect, auto protect, and rounds alone. Max picks at 3 or 4 to keep it more realistic to actual expansions.

I usually only use about 15 of my picks for ML slots, the rest I spend on minor league players who, base on there stats, look like the have potential. I play stats "mostly" (only use "other" ratings)

This format is fun to play, but keep in mind that your odds of having a winning record your first or even second year are only slightly higher than 0%. You are taking over an expansion team, so depending on your owner (and if you've edited him or not) you are most likely building for the future!

Have fun and Good Luck!

Assos · 07-29-2015, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewers22

Oh, one more question....

Why are there no Assistant GM's available to sign??? I can't even add one to the available personnel.

You can sign a GM to fill that role.

sreem · 07-29-2015, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewers22

Oh, one more question....

Why are there no Assistant GM's available to sign??? I can't even add one to the available personnel.

I don't believe there is an "Assistant GM" title. You have to sign a GM just a regular GM. I usually filter the GMs and then sort by experience. I sign the guy with the least amount of experience who stays in line with my philosophy of signing and trading.
I usually play in GM only but assume control of my ML batting and pitching, then play out all my games. I like having a Manager I can fire if things aren't going my way

brewers22 · 07-29-2015, 11:36 AM

Nevermind on the GM / Asst GM thing.....There was a filter turned on that prevented any from showing up in the search..Turned off the filter and there they are !!

Actually, I like the challenge of starting with one of the worst teams in the league. Although I do leave the "can't be fired" on.

And I did change my owner from "demanding" to "patient" ---- Who would by an expansion team and be demanding in their first year ???

'94 EXPOS · 07-29-2015, 04:34 PM

I play this way as well and find it greatly rewarding. This year's version is definitely more difficult.

I just use OOTP expansion draft settings.

I also play cannot be fired for my first 5 seasons but then I turn it off. My current owner is tough to please. He is generous but wants a winning team and max profit. Despite doing well I am always on the edge with him.

Glad you found playing this way enjoyable!

brewers22 · 08-14-2015, 10:22 PM

OK, so I ran into a couple of issues.

First, with the reconfigured schedule and 2 additional teams, the All Star game was played on June 25th, the same day that most teams had games. What did I miss?

Secondly, I keep getting messages that say, "team XXX has an illegal number of players (0)" The problem is, I don't have a "Team xxx" in my system, and I have no idea what league they are in....Shouldn't computer run teams keep a sufficient number of players??

Suggestions ?????

boogeyboard1 · 08-14-2015, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sreem

I do this same structure only I contract the league by 2 first (usually Miami and Houston) to keep the balance and interleague play.

I usually leave the protect, auto protect, and rounds alone. Max picks at 3 or 4 to keep it more realistic to actual expansions.

I usually only use about 15 of my picks for ML slots, the rest I spend on minor league players who, base on there stats, look like the have potential. I play stats "mostly" (only use "other" ratings)

This format is fun to play, but keep in mind that your odds of having a winning record your first or even second year are only slightly higher than 0%. You are taking over an expansion team, so depending on your owner (and if you've edited him or not) you are most likely building for the future!

Have fun and Good Luck!

Is there a reason you do this instead of just relocating two teams? What happens to the players in the two organizations that are deleted?

sreem · 08-14-2015, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogeyboard1

Is there a reason you do this instead of just relocating two teams? What happens to the players in the two organizations that are deleted?

The main reason for this is I like to start with a clean slate. No history for the franchise. No team leaders of anything yet. I want it to be my guys.
Another reason, and some might call me sick in the head, but I enjoy setting up my minor league system.
Before I expand I actually go through and release all players in the two organizations and fire all coaches. This makes them available as free agents. I then expand the league by two, and then go back and delete the two ML teams. Next I assign the newly unaffiliated minor league teams to my expansion teams (basically I like the uniforms and logos provided, and have never been good at creating my own uni's)

jlech1805 · 08-15-2015, 12:32 PM

I expand the league by 2 as well, but I actually increase the talent pool.

I add all the Foreign leagues into the game and then delete them making all the players and coaches FAs.

Next I hold a FA draft where I assign top prospects from this year's draft / INTL FA to actual team and let the rest sim out.

This results in a lot more available talent, but a stronger league in general.

NYYANKS98 · 08-15-2015, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sreem

The main reason for this is I like to start with a clean slate. No history for the franchise. No team leaders of anything yet. I want it to be my guys.
Another reason, and some might call me sick in the head, but I enjoy setting up my minor league system.
Before I expand I actually go through and release all players in the two organizations and fire all coaches. This makes them available as free agents. I then expand the league by two, and then go back and delete the two ML teams. Next I assign the newly unaffiliated minor league teams to my expansion teams (basically I like the uniforms and logos provided, and have never been good at creating my own uni's)

Couldn't you download a schedule that maintains inter league with 32 teams? Seems easier and I'd be annoyed by having non-existent teams in my league history now.

sreem · 08-16-2015, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYYANKS98

Couldn't you download a schedule that maintains inter league with 32 teams? Seems easier and I'd be annoyed by having non-existent teams in my league history now.

I believe the schedule generator will do this, but I don't mind. I like the two game series, the off days, and general set up of the schedule with 30 teams. As for non-existant teams, they are existant in my baseball world.
This game goes completely on its own path as soon as the game starts in 2015. If it mimiced real life there wouldn't be much point in playing it, but I enjoy the challenges of, for example, should I sign Bryce Harper to that expensive FA contract when he hasn't produced above .260 in the last 2 years.....

Besides, nobody really likes the Marlins or Astros anyways right?

07-29-2015, 10:56 AM	#1
brewers22 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Land of Cheese and Beer Posts: 32	Expansion draft settings After years of flip flopping back and forth between real and fictional leagues, I have finally landed on a league structure that I am enjoying more than any other I have tried ----- real MLB with two expansion teams. (Don't ask why that didn't occur to me sooner......) After starting a 2015 MLB league, I add two expansion teams and take over as GM of one of them. So I have 16 teams in each league and no inter-league play. For those that have done this, what draft settings do you use? How many players to protect per team, how many rounds, and any max on players drafted per team?? Also, my minor league affiliates end up with only one or two players per team, is there a way to fill out all teams with fictionals other then doing it by each individual team for both expansion teams? I've tried the league-wide "fill with fictionals" and it doesn't add any players to my teams.

07-29-2015, 11:02 AM	#3
sreem All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 673	I do this same structure only I contract the league by 2 first (usually Miami and Houston) to keep the balance and interleague play. I usually leave the protect, auto protect, and rounds alone. Max picks at 3 or 4 to keep it more realistic to actual expansions. I usually only use about 15 of my picks for ML slots, the rest I spend on minor league players who, base on there stats, look like the have potential. I play stats "mostly" (only use "other" ratings) This format is fun to play, but keep in mind that your odds of having a winning record your first or even second year are only slightly higher than 0%. You are taking over an expansion team, so depending on your owner (and if you've edited him or not) you are most likely building for the future! Have fun and Good Luck! __________________ "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Except for bears....."

07-29-2015, 10:59 AM	#2
brewers22 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Land of Cheese and Beer Posts: 32	Oh, one more question.... Why are there no Assistant GM's available to sign??? I can't even add one to the available personnel.

07-29-2015, 11:36 AM	#6
brewers22 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Land of Cheese and Beer Posts: 32	Nevermind on the GM / Asst GM thing.....There was a filter turned on that prevented any from showing up in the search..Turned off the filter and there they are !! Actually, I like the challenge of starting with one of the worst teams in the league. Although I do leave the "can't be fired" on. And I did change my owner from "demanding" to "patient" ---- Who would by an expansion team and be demanding in their first year ???

07-29-2015, 04:34 PM	#7
'94 EXPOS Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 318	I play this way as well and find it greatly rewarding. This year's version is definitely more difficult. I just use OOTP expansion draft settings. I also play cannot be fired for my first 5 seasons but then I turn it off. My current owner is tough to please. He is generous but wants a winning team and max profit. Despite doing well I am always on the edge with him. Glad you found playing this way enjoyable!

08-14-2015, 10:22 PM	#8
brewers22 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Land of Cheese and Beer Posts: 32	OK, so I ran into a couple of issues. First, with the reconfigured schedule and 2 additional teams, the All Star game was played on June 25th, the same day that most teams had games. What did I miss? Secondly, I keep getting messages that say, "team XXX has an illegal number of players (0)" The problem is, I don't have a "Team xxx" in my system, and I have no idea what league they are in....Shouldn't computer run teams keep a sufficient number of players?? Suggestions ?????

08-15-2015, 12:32 PM	#11
jlech1805 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 51	I expand the league by 2 as well, but I actually increase the talent pool. I add all the Foreign leagues into the game and then delete them making all the players and coaches FAs. Next I hold a FA draft where I assign top prospects from this year's draft / INTL FA to actual team and let the rest sim out. This results in a lot more available talent, but a stronger league in general.