A few league expansion questions

AZTarHeel · 01-08-2024, 12:55 AM

I am starting a fictional league (with historical players) in 1880. I am only starting with two teams, who will play just a handful of games against each other for the first couple of seasons.

I'd like to expand the league to 4 (or maybe 6) teams before the 1883 season. When on the calendar is the best time to expand a league? At the start of the calendar year? Before the new calendar year? Does it matter?

Also, once I create the new teams, will the expansion draft bring new historical rookies into the game or just take into account the players floating around in the world already? Thanks. Hope this isn't too confusing.

Ty Cobb · 01-08-2024, 01:22 AM

I usually expand immediately after the end of the regular season. I also make sure expandos get the first draft picks(check box in preferences). I like the amateur draft in the spring. That way the scrubs can ravage deep teams in Rule 5.

Your mileage may vary.

Pelican · 01-08-2024, 09:27 AM

I agree with Ty. Give the expansion teams the benefit of the other drafts, and more time to sign free agents (possibly not applicable in the Nineteenth Century) and form farm systems (definitely not applicable in the Nineteenth Century). But my goal, unlike MLB, is for the expansion teams to be competitive, as opposed to hopeless.

AZTarHeel · 01-08-2024, 12:51 PM

So, should I add the expansion teams before the official end of the season or just in that same calendar year? Thanks again for the feedback!

snepp · 01-08-2024, 06:24 PM

I've always done my expansions on the first day of the offseason.

darkcloud4579 · 01-08-2024, 11:47 PM

I expand on the first day of the off-season. I've started running 100-round expansion drafts, with a limited amount of protected players (around 25) and no auto-protects and it ensures the expansion teams (assuming it's 2 at a time) end up with a fully stocked farm without having to add them a year early. My draft is in the off-season too, which also helps.

01-08-2024, 12:55 AM	#1
AZTarHeel All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,549	A few league expansion questions I am starting a fictional league (with historical players) in 1880. I am only starting with two teams, who will play just a handful of games against each other for the first couple of seasons. I'd like to expand the league to 4 (or maybe 6) teams before the 1883 season. When on the calendar is the best time to expand a league? At the start of the calendar year? Before the new calendar year? Does it matter? Also, once I create the new teams, will the expansion draft bring new historical rookies into the game or just take into account the players floating around in the world already? Thanks. Hope this isn't too confusing. __________________ From the Way-Back Machine (Old dynasty stories): Tale Tales: The Andrew Zarzour Story The Steve Victory Story: Tournament Dreams College Basketball! The Arizona League 3.0: Historical players in the Grand Canyon state Baseball In The Tar Heel State: A Fictional Experience The Arizona League: Real Players. Fictional Teams

01-08-2024, 01:22 AM	#2
Ty Cobb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Grayling, MI Posts: 4,543 Blog Entries: 119	I usually expand immediately after the end of the regular season. I also make sure expandos get the first draft picks(check box in preferences). I like the amateur draft in the spring. That way the scrubs can ravage deep teams in Rule 5. Your mileage may vary. __________________ "You could not live with your own failure. Where did that bring you? Back to me." Thanos

01-08-2024, 09:27 AM	#3
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 2,792 Blog Entries: 1	I agree with Ty. Give the expansion teams the benefit of the other drafts, and more time to sign free agents (possibly not applicable in the Nineteenth Century) and form farm systems (definitely not applicable in the Nineteenth Century). But my goal, unlike MLB, is for the expansion teams to be competitive, as opposed to hopeless. __________________ Pelican OOTP 2020-? ”Hard to believe, Harry.”

01-08-2024, 12:51 PM	#4
AZTarHeel All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,549	So, should I add the expansion teams before the official end of the season or just in that same calendar year? Thanks again for the feedback! __________________ From the Way-Back Machine (Old dynasty stories): Tale Tales: The Andrew Zarzour Story The Steve Victory Story: Tournament Dreams College Basketball! The Arizona League 3.0: Historical players in the Grand Canyon state Baseball In The Tar Heel State: A Fictional Experience The Arizona League: Real Players. Fictional Teams

01-08-2024, 11:47 PM	#6
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,648 Blog Entries: 32	I expand on the first day of the off-season. I've started running 100-round expansion drafts, with a limited amount of protected players (around 25) and no auto-protects and it ensures the expansion teams (assuming it's 2 at a time) end up with a fully stocked farm without having to add them a year early. My draft is in the off-season too, which also helps. __________________ ------ My Mods Managerial Strategy Pack Competitive Balance Tax Calculator Major League Women's Baseball (OOTP24) quickstart Indian Premier League \| 300+ years of baseball quickstart \| Expatriate League quickstart \| Off-Field Injuries Update \| Women's Name File for OOTP \| ---- Dynasty classics: Centurion comes to OOTP5 \| DC Moneyball Dynasty (2004)

01-08-2024, 06:24 PM	#5
snepp All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,459	I've always done my expansions on the first day of the offseason.