*Newbie alert*

I just joined a world in its 9th season, and not shockingly took over a losing franchise.  The retirements were announced today and I was a little ticked when I had a few guys who had pretty good seasons in A or AA last season retire. Most of them had spent two years at the same level, and I know that players get frustrated with not getting promoted or are too old for their level, so it makes sense, I'm just wishing I could have prevented it.

First, as a new owner, was there anything I could have done in the short time I've had control of the franchise to prevent this?  

Second, some players clearly need to repeat a level to develop better.  If they show improvement and clearly deserve to be kept in the system, at what point do I have to promote them to prevent retirements?  

Third, do a certain % of guys just retire regardless of roster moves?  Or was my predecessor asleep at the wheel in his final season and caused some of this?  It seems like this is a flaw in the game if it was a result of my predecessor.  Giving new owners a chance to promote guys to prevent retirements seems like a good thing to help new owners rescue a poorly run franchise.  Obviously, if the answer to my first question is that I missed something, that answers this question.

Thanks for the help. It's been like 2 days, and I'm already addicted to this game.  

1)  No.  They retire at rollover, regardless of whether or not it's a returning owner or a new owner.

2)  No players "clearly need to repeat a level to develop better".  If they cannot progress at a rate of at least one level per season, then they are not ML material.

3)  Most (maybe 98%) minor league retirements are due to neglect by the owner prior to rollover.  Neglect as in not promoting guys at least one level every season.  Though I've seen some guys retire even with promotions.  But never anybody with real ML potential.

Thanks for the reply.

Your answer to #2 was interesting.  Is this a well known rule of thumb?  Should I be cutting loose a player who can't cut it at the next level if promoted?  

#3) That sucks as a new owner, but I guess there's lots of stuff I can't control from the last owner.

My general rule is a player should be BL ready by his 5th season.  If he's not, he's just a career minor leaguer, a BL emergency player or a "specialty" player.

RL/LoA/HiA - seasons 1/2
AA - seasons 2/3
AAA - seasons 3/4

If he's not in AAA by his 4th season(when he'll have to be put on the 40 to protect him from the R5), he's just not that important.

Posted by jryager on 3/30/2011 3:44:00 PM (view original):
Thanks for the reply.

Your answer to #2 was interesting.  Is this a well known rule of thumb?  Should I be cutting loose a player who can't cut it at the next level if promoted?  

#3) That sucks as a new owner, but I guess there's lots of stuff I can't control from the last owner.

No.  promote him to the next level anyway.  You need guys to fill out your rosters at each level.  Even if a guy has no ML potential, you should prmote him every year just to be a warm body at the next level.  Release them either at AA or AAA only if you have better options.

Posted by tecwrg on 3/30/2011 3:34:00 PM (view original):
1)  No.  They retire at rollover, regardless of whether or not it's a returning owner or a new owner.

2)  No players "clearly need to repeat a level to develop better".  If they cannot progress at a rate of at least one level per season, then they are not ML material.

3)  Most (maybe 98%) minor league retirements are due to neglect by the owner prior to rollover.  Neglect as in not promoting guys at least one level every season.  Though I've seen some guys retire even with promotions.  But never anybody with real ML potential.

I would disagree with part of #3. I always promote my players prior to rollover, and in 40ish seasons of HBD, have never seen a player retire who was promoted at least 1 level per season.          

Following the pattern I listed, I never see a retirement other than TC pitchers who are 24 with 2 years experience and in LoA.

Posted by MikeT23 on 3/30/2011 4:52:00 PM (view original):
Following the pattern I listed, I never see a retirement other than TC pitchers who are 24 with 2 years experience and in LoA.

Sorry, newbie question: TC pitcher?

Great info, guys.  Thanks a ton.

Training Camp.    The crappy pitchers that are always available to fill out a staff.    GM Office, contracts, training camp report.

AKA Tryout Camp