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knockahoma · 03-30-2009, 12:40 PM

I wrote about this issue on the "9" forum. Just curious how "10" might fix this issue.

Every year of my historical leagues, I see the AI move somebody out of position. The middle infield experiments are the horrible ones, along with 3b. The AI searches for a decent bat at SS, for example. Problem is, the guy can't play SS. He'll commit 46 errors in 88 games. Sometimes that happens at 3B or 2b, too.

Many times, a glove legend such as Mark Belanger is shoved at the end of the bench. That's because the Orioles AI has discovered rookie 3B Doug DeCinces. Why not? Belanger plays gold glove D, but hits .225-.250.

But DeCinces, now! Sure, his fielding % is below .900, but look what he brings to the plate. A .260 average with possibly as many a 10 dingers! A fair trade-off for an error every two games, eh?

I could believe a manager trying a player who fields like he wears no glove at 3b (earl Williams and the Braves comes to mind). But at SS?

The other problem is that the AI takes the same theory and applies it to the backups. Today, Larry Bowa gets nicked by the propeller of a plane crashing on the infield. He's out for 2 months. The Phils see the opportunity to move gold glover 3B Mike Schmidt to his un-natural position at SS. That's because real-life utility guy, Terry Harmon, is in AAA. Harmon can actually keep a fielding % above .950 at SS and 2B, but the Phils have opted to keep three mediocre hitting 3B-1B instead. The AI has the situation covered. In the event that Bowa goes down from a propeller spinning off a crashing plane, Schmidt can handle SS, right?

(AI note to Itself: The Phils lack a good 3B. Look for a deal before trade dead-line)

So, what's the answer in 10? How can we help the AI recognize the significance of SS? Should SS and 2B be more weighted for defense than other positions?

Anyway, OOTP really is a heckuva game. But, the roster selection and starting lineups could use help when it comes to the middle infield positions, especially SS. Doesn't seem to be as much a problem in my fictional leagues. But it's a huge issue for me in the historicals.

It would be an interesting study to see just how much managers historically were willing to sacrifice bat for glove at the SS.

03-30-2009, 12:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
knockahoma All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 792 Thanks: 14 Thanked 77x in 31 posts	More middle infielders on 25 man roster? I wrote about this issue on the "9" forum. Just curious how "10" might fix this issue. Every year of my historical leagues, I see the AI move somebody out of position. The middle infield experiments are the horrible ones, along with 3b. The AI searches for a decent bat at SS, for example. Problem is, the guy can't play SS. He'll commit 46 errors in 88 games. Sometimes that happens at 3B or 2b, too. Many times, a glove legend such as Mark Belanger is shoved at the end of the bench. That's because the Orioles AI has discovered rookie 3B Doug DeCinces. Why not? Belanger plays gold glove D, but hits .225-.250. But DeCinces, now! Sure, his fielding % is below .900, but look what he brings to the plate. A .260 average with possibly as many a 10 dingers! A fair trade-off for an error every two games, eh? I could believe a manager trying a player who fields like he wears no glove at 3b (earl Williams and the Braves comes to mind). But at SS? The other problem is that the AI takes the same theory and applies it to the backups. Today, Larry Bowa gets nicked by the propeller of a plane crashing on the infield. He's out for 2 months. The Phils see the opportunity to move gold glover 3B Mike Schmidt to his un-natural position at SS. That's because real-life utility guy, Terry Harmon, is in AAA. Harmon can actually keep a fielding % above .950 at SS and 2B, but the Phils have opted to keep three mediocre hitting 3B-1B instead. The AI has the situation covered. In the event that Bowa goes down from a propeller spinning off a crashing plane, Schmidt can handle SS, right? (AI note to Itself: The Phils lack a good 3B. Look for a deal before trade dead-line) So, what's the answer in 10? How can we help the AI recognize the significance of SS? Should SS and 2B be more weighted for defense than other positions? Anyway, OOTP really is a heckuva game. But, the roster selection and starting lineups could use help when it comes to the middle infield positions, especially SS. Doesn't seem to be as much a problem in my fictional leagues. But it's a huge issue for me in the historicals. It would be an interesting study to see just how much managers historically were willing to sacrifice bat for glove at the SS. Last edited by knockahoma; 03-30-2009 at 12:55 PM.