[Base Stealer]

Hello everyone. As i've said i'm new to the game. I've bought the game some months ago but not much time to play until now...i see a patch is coming soon, so i'll wait a little more before starting to play a dynasty.
I'm from Italy, where baseball is not the number one sport, but i started watching some games a year ago. Then i found OOTP and decided to give the game a try. But i have some questions and need some advice from more experienced players.
I'd like to start playing a dynasty with real players and i'd like to take a bad team and make it a champion. I don't have a team i like more then others...so my first question is: a good team and a good year to start.
Then, a few tips on how to play the game....the season is so long with all those game: is it better to simulate them or maybe to play all of them??

I forgot to say i will use real players but will not use the option to re-rate them based on real life performance...i want to let "a new world" shape based on the game performance.

Thanks a lot for all the help, if you have more advice please fell free to tell them!!!