First of all, could somebody explain how to link to the player code? I'm a tard and can't figure out how to do that.
With that said, it always amuses me when you see the threads about how people, "Look for a pitcher with control over 80, vL and vR over 70 and 3 good pitches... at least for a #4 starter." So I want to dedicate this thread to really crappy players who still managed to play an important role on your playoff-caliber teams.
I will start with Philip Page, who I claimed off waivers and is now half of my SS platoon in No Quitters. First of all, his fielding ratings are:
(76/75/80/76), which would be bad enough for a slugging shortstop, but his hitting ratings are:
(70/60/46/15/48)
My other shortstop is an even worse hitter, but at least is (85/88/88/85) as a fielder and is set to come in early as a defensive replacement. He was also claimed off waivers.
Despite having this joker in my lineup, my team has been sitting between the 3rd and 5th best records in the AL and should be a playoff team.
In Happy Jack, Butch Dickerson leads my team in innings right now. He has 75 control, paired up with 52/60 splits and pitches of 76, 72, 60 and 37. Somehow though, he is on pace to finish his 4th season averaging 200+ innings per season with a 4.52 career ERA and currently his record is 44-37. I have a pretty good defensive team so maybe his 93 GB/FB rating is important.
Of course, the reason these guys get playing time is that I pretty much sold the farm in No Quitters to have 4 guys with .900+ career OPS and 3 very strong SPs. In Happy Jack, Dickerson leads the team in innings because the majority of my staff is filled with undervalued 25/60ish DUR/STA guys. 5 of them should hit 100+ IP with ERAs currently 3.70 or lower. This team is 90-56; second-best in the AL and 3rd in the majors.
I think there are advantages to be gained sometime by eschewing a traditional approach. I'd be interested to see the garbage piles that others have used and what advantages that has allowed them to gain by not spending resources on one or two roster spots.