[ShaneCarson]

Originally Posted by ms2002

To me, the most important next step for OOTP is to update with the new statistical metrics (wOBA, WAR, FIP, UZR/TZR, etc.) and add more personality to the game beyond the numbers (give the players more personality, more media, more distinguishable GMs and managers). Here's some things I've been taking note of:

• AI GMs should have different ideologies and methods of evaluating its ballplayers: Traditional, Sabremetric, and Neutral.

  1) Traditional GMs should place heavy emphasis on AVG, ERA, W-L, SV, HR, RBI, SB, E - the raw numbers. They would also emphasize intangibles (leadership, etc.) and scouting. Real-life examples include Dayton Moore, Bill Bavasi, Omar Minaya, Jim Bowden, Kenny Williams.

  2) Sabremetric GMs should place heavy emphasis on OBP, wOBA, WAR/VORP, FIP/cERA, UZR/TZR - the secondary numbers. Real-life examples include Billy Beane, Theo Epstein, Mark Shapiro, Andrew Friedman, JP Ricciardi.

  3) Neutral GMs should be mix between the two. Real-life examples include Brian Cashman, Jack Zduriencik, Doug Melvin, Kevin Towers.

• Managers should have unique personalities: Although it should be more aesthetic than anything, there should be Piniella's and LaRussa's in OOTP.
• Fielding revision: Update the fielding metrics to UZR or TZR that are used today. 2009 has been the year that everyone's attention has turned to fielding evaluation metrics. OOTP should follow the trend. In turn, this can give a more concrete relation between the fielding ratings and W/L.
• Update to the more commonly used statistics: wOBA, FIP, UZR/TZR, WAR should all be incorporated into the game. VORP should be replaced with WAR, since it is the more relevant statistic these days. Research says that a team full of 0 WAR (replacement level) players would result in 50 wins. Given this information, the OOTP engine could be revamped to incorporate this research (ie. teams with roughly 40 WAR should be around a 90 win team).
• Add employment history for coaches and scouts. It becomes a lot more interesting when hiring staff if you can see where they've worked before, so you can examine draft history and the resulting player performance.
• Custom-made stadiums. Have OOTP generate 2D stadiums with logos and unique features that correlate with wall and dimension data.
• Rough 2D game engine?
• Minor league rehabilitation assignments
• More stable markets: There should be far less fluctuating based on success. I see small market teams transform into big market teams far too often in OOTP.
• Long-haired FaceGen: There are currently no Randy Johnson's, Ian Kinsler's or Tim Lincecum's in OOTP. Or Vlad Guerrerro's or Manny's.

Loving all of this.