It takes a few seasons to develop a team. Is it even possible to go from last to first in one season? In a competitive league of course.

Checked my two long-term teams(1st season to current).   Yeah, it's possible.

Hardball Dynasty – Fantasy Baseball Sim Games - New York Honey Badgers Franchise Profile
Hardball Dynasty – Fantasy Baseball Sim Games - Charleston Charge Franchise Profile

Yes, but you had players in the pipeline. The reason for the question was based on the sky is falling thread. Hard to fill leagues because you have to put in a lot of time just to get competitive.

It seems like taking a 60 win team and expecting to win 95 the next season is a bit of an unrealistic expectation.   I get not wanting to start a 5 year plan but immediate success shouldn't be the norm.

I've only been playing the game since December, but I've already taken a team from 4th to 1st:

http://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/FranchiseProfile.aspx?fid=5069

There wasn't any talent in the pipeline here; the previous owner didn't even bother to sign his draft picks (worse, hedidn't even make an offer, so I didn't get any comp picks). All I did was move to a pitchers' park where my durable but mediocre starters could thrive, sign a couple bargain-priced sluggers, and make sure to play my best defenders.

Admittedly, this is isn't a top-tier league. But if a rookie like me could do this, I'm pretty sure anyone can.

23 game turn around, you did some good coaching there arcticlegend

Very difficult to do in a competitive world. Unless you're talking about a division with a high level of parity, where 5-7 games separate 1st from 4th.

That should be the expectation.    If you can join a world and improve by 30 games in a season, assuming the team wasn't abandoned or holding good players in AAA, that might be a warning sign about the competitive nature of the world.   Of course, there's always the "bad" season where you just throw up your hands and yell "WTF?" but even that season should produce 75 wins or so if you thought you were a contender.

 Hardball Dynasty – Fantasy Baseball Sim Games - Richmond Revival Franchise Profile

Wasn't last to first, but certainly quite the turn around.  Signed a large number of small 1 year deals expecting a 70 win season and was very surprised with what I ended up with.  Goes to show that even with a small payroll and not a lot of talent, winning is very easy to do and there is no excuse for missing any MWR that is set.

that is a 40 game turn around good job but it looks like you will fall short in season 23

San Francisco Golden Gators in Banks. The key is to join a world where a team is available in a division that won by a team with a record at or below .500. Then, try to win.

That worked for you

New York Mudsharks

This team went 90-72 in S8 and finished 4th.
S9 they had the same exact 90-72 record and finished in first.

Nothing like a little help from your friends