D-Backs Fictional, First Year...

[Alloutwar]

Hello All - I just started playing, this is my first complete season. It's on Fan to start, and I played a few games in PBP mode. I made about 11 trades, but kept most of my starting players. Check out the results! Almost got the triple crown...and despite dropping from 95 to 92, my ace still got the Cy Young...

I think I'll move up to 'Coach' difficulty for next season...

[Alloutwar]

Well, I know it's been about a year since that first post...but in between I have played this game pretty regularly, same dynasty and everything. I moved up in difficulty every few seasons, and I have been playing on Manager for the last few seasons. It is now 2013 in the game; I have cut down on the insane amount of trades I was making, and gathering ALL minor-league talent, and all the other cheap tricks you can use to dominate the opponents. I've also limited my between-game roster moves to be more realistic.

I started playing every 3rd game or so PBP and simming the rest, but now I play pretty much every game PBP (in GM mode, until later innings).

I have won the world series all but one of the seasons I've played, and despite the raise in difficulty, it hasn't been too tough. If this years' series is easy, I am thinking of taking the worst team in my league, and switching to become their GM (saving in a seperate file, of course).

Anyway - I just entered the first round of the playoffs (NLDS) in 2013 vs the Cubs. The first game was a good one - my ace was hit hard in the first inning, and left without a decision after getting us through the seventh. His effort and my sluggers coming through in the clutch led to a walk-off hit for my first victory of the post-season. Take a look:

www.emptyorchard.com/2013-1.mht (http://www.emptyorchard.com/2013-1.mht)

[Alloutwar]

http://www.emptyorchard.com/2013-2.mht

Second game of the series went beautifully - my second starter, Bob Macilrevie, pitched 7 innings of 3-hit shutout ball. My long reliever gave up two runs, but oh well. Everyone will be rested for the hopefully-decisive game 3.

Before this game, I remembered to hike up my ticket prices. Since building the new $600 mil stadium a few years ago, I always jack the prices up to $36 or so a ticket during playoffs; the computer doubles this anyway, so I end up with a full stadium (or 100 short, at 60,916 this game) of fans paying $72 per ticket. Interesting that the prices are only doubled automatically...leaving you to goose them as much as you want from there.

[Alloutwar]

Woohoo! My #3 starter came through, and we swept the Cubbies! My #2 starter won the division series MVP. Go bobby mac! Earning that arbitration-forced $11mil...

Second place would've been my star shortstop, Paul Weekley...he hasn't been in the playoffs since 2007 with St. Louis, and my trading deadline pickup relished the opportunity, hitting .375 and performing in the clutch.

Now, onto the NLCS!

[Alloutwar]

Looks like EVERYONE swept their opponents in the divisions series' this year. I am facing the Braves from the NL East. Atlanta went 108-54, with the leadoff man of Albert Vallabares - a free agent that revitalized his career with my Diamondbacks, and left us to expore free agency last winter. He hoped to get $8 or $10 million on the open market - and ended up signing for $3.65mil two days after opening day.

Still, Atlanta has decided to go with him as their leadoff hitter, benching their $11mil free agent aquisition in his contract year. Works fine for me - I'll have my eye on him this winter, and see if he'll settle for a few mil...

[Alloutwar]

Game one went down smooth, 7-1 win courtesy of a complete game from my #4 starter. Sakata was someone I had been eyeing for a few seasons - he could throw a great fastball and a great knuckleball, which is incredible (how many japanese pitchers master the knuckler??). I made a trade with Cincinnati to get him during the season, immediately giving him a chance in my rotation rather than an occassional long man. He has risen to the challenge big time (despite not liking being anything less than #1 in my rotation...a bit lofty for a swing man a mere 3 months ago, eh Kiyoshi?).

[Alloutwar]

Well, we beat Atlanta in 5 games. Sakata won the first, and closed out the win in the last game as well: 1.76 ERA in 15.1 innings for two wins, not to mention 1 BB to 11 K's. Can't believe he was mopup for Cincinnati...what a waste of a great player itching for the postseason.

Yet, the AI picks Ben Baker as NLCS MVP. Baker pitched one game, 5 innings, barely squeeking out with the win. I really wish the MVP logic could be enhanced - Sakata earned two wins, and my utility infielder stepped up big time with 9 RBIs, including a grand slam in game 5 (JD Drew, anyone?). Yet the AI picks a random pitcher that lasted 5 innings and got a win. What is this, alphabetical?

[Alloutwar]

The Yankees wiped the floor with me in Game 1 - complete game shutout by their ace, James Fritts. I had him a few years ago...looked like he was going to be one of the best ever...but my purse strings were too tight to keep him.

http://www.emptyorchard.com/2013-3.mht

Maybe game 2 will go better...

[Alloutwar]

Well, this game certainly was interesting. Finally, my hitting returned - and my ace Jose Rodriguez (J-Rod) was on the mound. J-Rod got two hits, including a triple (??). He has NEVER hit during the regular season, so I dunno where this came from. My 3rd baseman had a solo shot, and my backup left fielder came through with a 3-run blast. Why backup, you ask? Because I always get 2-3 big September-October injuries. My left fielder, Connor Yeats, who has my highest HR total and AVG, must now sit out the world series. Nice!

Anyway, my setup man came in for J-Rod and got two HUGE strikeouts. Then in the ninth, my closer comes in and has a meltdown - two runs, then hits a batter to load the bases. I bring in a short reliever to band-aid, and he pulls off the save! WS Tied, 1-1!

http://www.emptyorchard.com/2013-4.mht

[Alloutwar]

We pulled it off! 3-2 victory. Man that was tough. Baker comes up again, allowing 2 runs over 6.2 innings. And we got just enough offense to pull it off.

The names may seem to not match my normal lineup; in filling out my lineup, I forgot that the third game would be played at Yankee Stadium, so the AI automatically set up a DH and some other positions. Worked out well enough!

http://www.emptyorchard.com/2013-5.mht

[Alloutwar]

After his NLCS loss, Bob Macilrevie came back and stymied the Yankees for a complete game. He allowed two runs, but still pitched a great game. He refused to give up the ball, retiring the side in order in the eighth and ninth innings.

After departing to a long, lasting ovation, he made it public that he will be undergoing surgery in the offseason for a torn rotator cuff. He has no contract for the 2014 season, but hopes to return to Arizona late next season.

Winner of World Series game 3, Bobby Macilrevie.

[Alloutwar]

Anyone have any idea how this injury - which puts him out until August at least - will affect arbitration numbers?? Will he still demand $11 mil +, and will the AI still treat his contract as if it were a healthy player? I would resign him for the final month or two of the season to see how he comes back, but not for $11 mil!! I'm thinking more like $1 mil!

[CatKnight]

If you re-sign him for 2014+ you will have to pay him for the entire year. I don't know if that means $11m, but you certainly won't get him for $1m either.

You could always let it go to arbitration, and if you don't like what you see - release him. I wouldn't chance that the "arbitrator" will see things your way if your number and his are that far off.

If his contract size bothers you, release him. I'm not sure, but I suspect the other AIs will hesitate to sign him due to his long term injury. If so, then wait for his free agency demand to drop to something reasonable and pick him up again.

[Alloutwar]

That was pretty much my plan - I have AAA pitchers who I can call up without trouble. I'll play thru arbitration tonight and see what his demands are. I don't want a Carl Pavano on my team...

[Alloutwar]

Well, we won the world series in 5 games....after the Yankees ace pitched a shutout for game 1, Sakata came back and outpitched him for a complete-game, 7-0 shutout win in game 5. So like Matsuzaka this year, he makes up for his early defeat by earning a win in the deciding game of the series. Yes!

Weird thing is - the AI finally gave the MVP to Tobias Gordillo, my utility infielder that was so dominant and clutch in the NLCS. But he wasn't so great in the World Series...he sat out the first game, and went 0-for-4 in the clincher. His two homers in games 3 and 4 were great, but....MVP? Hmm...

Now, on to the exciting part...free agency, trades, draft picks...and deciding whether to keep going in this dynasty, or switch to a more difficult team within it.