It does make more sense to try to figure out what good talent is first before doing anything drastic.  But you can start to figure that out by looking at the best players in your world are, and then trying to get players that have ratings like that, either through the draft, internationals, or free agency.  Look at the teams who are very good, year in and year out, and see what kind of players they have at different positions that make them successful.  And you don't need 5 seasons before you can start making a move.

Posted by MikeT23 on 7/11/2014 2:57:00 PM (view original):
I'm not saying you're tanking.   It just sounds like you're accepting losing for an extended period of time.    I had a pretty good run in Mantle.   Won a couple of WS over 3 seasons while being "in the mix" for 9 of my first 11 seasons.   But we got old and expensive.   Most of the players had outlived their value.   So I had to accept a down season or two.   Lost 97.  Probably on the verge of losing another 90+ this season.   But I signed a max money guy who'll be there when I can get there.  Hardball Dynasty – Fantasy Baseball Sim Games - Player Profile: Raul Gonzalez   I've got 56m committed next season and I hold some options that can make it 40m(half of which is committed to Gonzalez).   Now I could have putzed around for 4-5 seasons with 90+ losses and there really shouldn't have been much to say given the success I'd had.   I could claim "rebuilding during a down period" and most would accept that.   But any idiot can collect top 3 picks, 20m IFA and contend after a "down period".     But, if an idiot can do it, is it any sort of accomplishment or challenge?   

Anyway, before I got sidetracked, my point was you don't have to strip your team off all talent, or refuse to acquire any BL talent, while you rebuild.    You don't have to run 30m payroll with 50m in prospect after transfer while winning 50 games.   You can be competitive, you can acquire BL talent to build around and you can win within a couple of seasons.