a) . . . win 95 games in a tough division/league and miss the playoffs altogether?

or

b) . . . win 82 games to win a weak division and lose in the first round of the playoffs?

I guess the question comes down to what gives one more personal satisfaction . . . knowing that you put together and fielded a pretty good team even if you have nothing to show for it, or making the playoffs with a mediocre team and getting a division title pennant in your trophy case?

I think if youwon 95 games and didn't win a playoff spot, you might be in a strong division but a weak league. Some teams wouldn't be winning many games if 95 didn't get you a playoff spot/
I think I would take the 82 wins because hopefully that would be an improvement over the previous year so we would be improving.

b.) because i would most likely get a better pick in the draft and I made the playoffs unlike choice a.)

My objective is to make the playoffs.  Once my spot is settled(bye or no bye), I don't care how many games I win.   But I don't think I'd be too disappointed with 95 wins.  I lost a 3 way tie with 89 wins and didn't feel too bad about it.

You may make the playoffs winning only 82 games but if you have just two strong starting pitchers you still have a shot at the world series.  Isn't that what we play for?

Read the original post.  The question was about winning the division but losing in the first round of the playoffs.

Unlike SIM baseball, where alignment is often random, I think I'd take more satisfaction in winning my division, because I likely created a team that matched up well with and performed well against the other teams in my division. In my opinion, that is/should be a primary goal, since you play those guys the most.  And as was mentioned...the talent level in divisions and worlds varies, so wins don't always tell you all you need to know.

In conclusion: B

B. Playoffs are what it's about.

....chelsea clinton or karl rove?

Posted by Jtpsops on 8/3/2010 1:04:00 AM (view original):
Unlike SIM baseball, where alignment is often random, I think I'd take more satisfaction in winning my division, because I likely created a team that matched up well with and performed well against the other teams in my division. In my opinion, that is/should be a primary goal, since you play those guys the most.  And as was mentioned...the talent level in divisions and worlds varies, so wins don't always tell you all you need to know.

In conclusion: B

"In my opinion, that is/should be a primary goal, since you play those guys the most."

Unless you play in a World (or Worlds) with different scheduling than any that I am in, you play against the guys in your division the same number of games during the regular season (10) that you play against any opponent in your league (10).

I don't know.  I've made the playoffs with 82 wins, and while it's nice to make the playoffs, it's a lot like kissing your sister.  Not that I have a sister, nor have I kissed her in a hypothetical situation, but it wasn't very satisfying knowing you made it in with a mediocre team and are about to get bounced right out.

But if 95 wins doesn't land you in the top 2 in the wild card race, you've probably got an 82 win team in your league that just made it to the playoffs.  And he's actually playing games while you're watching the playoff brackets.  So give me the playoff appearance, and I'll just hope no one gets a picture of me kissing my sister.

b)

Posted by zbrent716 on 8/3/2010 5:14:00 AM (view original):

Posted by Jtpsops on 8/3/2010 1:04:00 AM (view original):
Unlike SIM baseball, where alignment is often random, I think I'd take more satisfaction in winning my division, because I likely created a team that matched up well with and performed well against the other teams in my division. In my opinion, that is/should be a primary goal, since you play those guys the most.  And as was mentioned...the talent level in divisions and worlds varies, so wins don't always tell you all you need to know.

In conclusion: B

"In my opinion, that is/should be a primary goal, since you play those guys the most."

Unless you play in a World (or Worlds) with different scheduling than any that I am in, you play against the guys in your division the same number of games during the regular season (10) that you play against any opponent in your league (10).

My bad.  It seemed to me I was playing my division mates more.  I must have had the MLB system in my head :P

Definitely b. My primary goal each season is to win my division. If I do - then I look at getting a bye and making a playoff run. If I don't then I look to the wild card.

b. And I speak from experience. The low win total gave me a protected draft pick, which allowed me to sign a Type A I really needed (leadoff hitting second baseman) without giving up that first round pick the following season.