Power Pros Forum

So, I've decided to do a Season mode guide, and once its fully done, I'll post it on the wiki. I'd like some of your imput on it as well. I'm starting it up with before you play any games.

So you want to be a GM? eh? Good choice. Being a GM in MLB can be one of the most rewarding things possible, if you know how to do. It can be overwhellming at first, but if you listen to my advice, you can succeed. Let's start with your first day. This guide assumes your using normal mode with an already exsisting MLB franchise.

When you start, you'll have a fairly decent size Free Agent pool at your disposal. Your going want to sign a few, preferably these guys.

*** stars
Matt Morris (Morris)- SP
Hideo Nomo (Nomo)- SP/LR
Dan Johnson (Johnson)- 1B
Tomas Perez (Perez)- 2B/SS/3B

** stars (Out of three)
Chuck James (James)- SP
Kirk Saarloos (Saarloos)- RP
(Incomplete due to mental lapses, will edit later)

The three star players can contribute to any team immedintly as bench players or low end starters, the Two star players are useful insurance/AAA players. No matter what your team is, from the Mighty Yankees like teams to the futile Royal like ones, these guys will help plug holes when needed. The others could be worth your consideration if either a) Your "AAA" section isn't full and/or is just slim in general or b) You just flat out need them

Cool, sounds interesting. This is also my first post on our new laptop!

The 5 free agents I sign at the start of every season, regardless of need:

Dan Johnson: He hits bombs, drives in runs and has a ruddy beard. The only things not to like are those electric blue wristbands he’s so fond of wearing. Tip: If you know you will be going into the 2009 season looking to improve at catcher, spend the entire 2008 season improving Johnson’s defense and convert him to catcher during Spring Training. Already pre-equipped with Throwing 4, Johnson will impersonate Brian McCann for pennies on the dollar.

Great Wood: More like “Great Leather” because his defense at the hot corner is top notch while his bat is relatively weak. However, his production and trade value are enhanced by a handful of useful blue abilities which, combined with practice, can help Wood evolve into batting title contender before his skills decline. At approximately $1000, he might be a bit pricey for a bench player, but if Wood rides the pine in 2008 he will offer his services for half that in 2009. Tip: Even more useful when converted to MI.

Yorman Bazardo, Enrique Gonzalez, and Fernando Hernandez: The Three Amigos don’t look sexy on paper, but they are young, cheap, and free of red abilities. Stash them in AAA and spend a couple of years improving their control and another jacking up their pitches (Bazardo’s 2SFB and Hernandez’s knockout CB). They will reward you with dominating performances out of the pen during their final two or three years of club control.


Also . . .

Red Abilities are EVIL!

If you plan on simulating at all, a good rule of thumb is to avoid any pitcher with the WALK ability. If he doesn’t have B control, an arsenal of “plus” pitches and the right concoction of blue abilities, chances are he will post an ERA north of 6.00 and suck the life out of your bullpen.

Be careful of the other red abilities as well. Their powers are essentially multiplied during simulation, even when it seems they should be harmless or offset by certain blue abilities. A vanilla pitcher (no blue or red abilities) will generally outshine his blue and red twin.

(A section on popular trade targets would be cool as well. Players who are easy to get, undeniably awesome, cheap, under club control for multiple years, improve quickly, etc.

Another thing to know about Enrique Gonzalez: He's a very decent batter (I believe D Contact and E Power), so I usually turn him to a fielder in the first offseason.

When starting out, you want to have an idea of what you want to do in your career. Do you want immediate success with a giant franchise such as the Yankees? Or do you want to blowup and rebuild with the Pirates? Perhaps you want a little success but not a lot at first and keep building, like the Diamondbacks?

I group the teams up as this

Rebuilding Projects (Low Road): Orioles, Rays, Royals, Nationals, Pirates

Low-Middle of the Road: Astros, Marlins (SUPER LOW SALARY), Rangers (They start off bad at the beginning), Padres, Giants

Middle of the Road: Braves, Diamondbacks, Reds, Blue Jays, Twins, Indians, A's, Rockies

Middle-High of the Road: White Sox (Salary Issue), Phillies, Brewers, Cubs (High Salary), Tigers (High Salary), Cardinals, Mariners,

High Road: Red Sox, Yankees, Angles, Mets, Dodgers

Use this chart to help with your play style and what you want to do