Might be repeating what someone else said, but I think one key is not to ignore guys with less impressive OA. Certain ratings will artificially inflate or deflate the OA, and it is very useful to find the 1B DH C RP whose OA isn't as sexy but who will be very effective at their position, both as draft picks and as no-comp FA. Durability, Health and fielding seem to have a much bigger impact on OA than any individual hitting or pitching ratings.

Your goal is to win championships. All you need to do is ask yourself the question: Which guy would I rather have in a playoff series? Because that's about the only thing that matters once you have a squad ready for the playoffs.

The most extreme example I've seen is Graham. 56 OVR guy with HOF hitting ratings (nearly avg 90 across the board) and 31 DUR. Never made more than $2M and would always re-sign because his OVR was so low and he had enough PAT. I might take a guy like that 1.1 in a draft depending on what else is available (though he was a double DITR I believe). His only downside is that he can only play about 250 -300 AB's during the regular season.

Posted by brianplath on 12/9/2020 1:40:00 PM (view original):
Your goal is to win championships. All you need to do is ask yourself the question: Which guy would I rather have in a playoff series? Because that's about the only thing that matters once you have a squad ready for the playoffs.

The most extreme example I've seen is Graham. 56 OVR guy with HOF hitting ratings (nearly avg 90 across the board) and 31 DUR. Never made more than $2M and would always re-sign because his OVR was so low and he had enough PAT. I might take a guy like that 1.1 in a draft depending on what else is available (though he was a double DITR I believe). His only downside is that he can only play about 250 -300 AB's during the regular season.

Every now and then the system generates a pure backup C (20-30 DUR) with starter-worthy hitting and defensive ratings. Like you said, 250 ABs max. But don't we all have a backup C in our top 25? I love finding guys like that.

How does a guy with 0 speed move?

I don't. I have a platoon.

Brent Hammond for right handed starters.

And Red Dewitt for the lefties.

sure the defence is much to be desired but its a lot of good numbers at the plate.

Platoon's even better than a backup! And a man with zero speed moves rather carefully.

Posted by damag on 12/9/2020 2:21:00 PM (view original):
Platoon's even better than a backup! And a man with zero speed moves rather carefully.

He stole 2 bases! Gotta be doing something right!

I'm hoping this guy turns I to something like that. Player Profile: Achilles Brand - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Posted by McGirkTheJer on 12/9/2020 3:01:00 PM (view original):
I'm hoping this guy turns I to something like that. Player Profile: Achilles Brand - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Though I'm torn on risking a slower development year in the minors (im thinking about 2-3 seasons before my team is competitive again) or starting his service clock for a bit more gains

In general with these players, you want to hold them back in the minors until you're competitive.

Basically, their value to you is fairly modest-- a game or so of WAR-- every season; they're only good for about 200 PA if that. Where they're monsters is the playoffs, where they become your everyday C. You're minimizing value if you use them in a non-competitive season.

The only catch to that is that Brand, in particular, has a high-ish 39 DUR for this type of player, and he has 97 health. If you run 20 medical you could use him as your C vs LHP all season long; he'd probably stay in the 80s for fatigue and might be worth 2 WAR instead of 1. On the other hand, his OVR of 60 is high for this type of player, meaning you might have to pay him $3M or so to keep him once he gets to his FA years, so you might want to hold him back.

Posted by mattyjim on 12/8/2020 12:27:00 PM (view original):
Might be repeating what someone else said, but I think one key is not to ignore guys with less impressive OA. Certain ratings will artificially inflate or deflate the OA, and it is very useful to find the 1B DH C RP whose OA isn't as sexy but who will be very effective at their position, both as draft picks and as no-comp FA. Durability, Health and fielding seem to have a much bigger impact on OA than any individual hitting or pitching ratings.

Player Profile: Burke Ward - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Here's my low OA (55) but right P ratings (got him R5 draft), generally has pitched 70ish innings/season at a 1.10 WHIP. His GB/FB could hurt, but the rest of his P attributes are what you would want them to be.

R5 is great source for those type of players, here is the guy I nabbed from r5 Player Profile: McKay Scutaro - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Those are exactly the kinds of pitchers I use as Closers. Give 'em the easy three outs in the ninth; use my better relievers for the Holds.

Those higher rated players will net you a comp pick when they leave in free agency. The comp pick will usually net you a young prospect that is similar to many of these lower ovr players that are being posted that are inexpensive, but still perform well. I have a pretty good [and young] overall staff on my Charlotte team. The bullpen is made up almost entirely of late first round/early second round picks or intl guys that were not bank breaking.

Posted by brianp87 on 12/9/2020 2:19:00 PM (view original):
How does a guy with 0 speed move?

How can a guy with a 94 range rating at SS be a 9 at SS. I realize that range and speed in the infield are nearly as correlative as they are in the OF. Still, you'd think a guy who plays shortstop like Ozzie Smith or Omar Vizquel would run better than Cecil Fielder or Jim Thome.

https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerBlog.aspx?pid=8675086