Originally posted by Hank
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While the GM of DC, especially the first two decades, I would routinely load my Triple-A and Double-A rosters with BLB has beens to win more games (and thus playing more games total) and keep up morale/chemistry/development. Instead of using those roster spots on youngsters I knew had no BLB potential (without a random talent bump), I would play fully developed players who would never be good enough to be a BLB regular but was far and away better than the average player in the league.
Richmond (AAA) - From 1980-2012, 25 playoff appearances, 6 championships
Auburn (AA) - From 1980-2012, 23 playoff appearances including 17 straight, 5 championships
I still think there is value in that, even if I don't do it as much or as drastically. You have 25 roster spots at Double-A and Triple-A. The goal, should be to create the best environment for your true prospects to develop. If you have 15-20 players at each level with legit BLB potential, I think it's better to surround them with high intangible players with some skill (even if they are 26+) than it is to surround them youngsters who bring nothing to the table. Especially in this new version where chemistry/morale can fall off a cliff right away.
I also recommend using your Triple-A roster as basically a deep bench, if you are a playoff contender. It's very rare to have 25 legit "prospects" at Triple-A during the same time. I think it's better to use around five roster spots on BLB fringe players. You can even implement this strategy more now that we don't allow players to refuse minor league assignment. During my run I would try and keep a catcher, infielder, outfielder, starting pitcher and relief pitcher who might be 27+, fully developed, who could step in at the BLB in the event of an injury. These guys are often called "AAAA" types. Otherwise, injuries often leave a team scrambling and sometimes calling up a young prospect before he is ready to fill the void.
Currently, I am moving two older players to my Double-A bullpen, 29 and 31, because only three seasons into Seattle, we don't have a lot of good young RP prospects. The rest are 24 or under. They will be my closer and top setup man, hopefully closing out games, getting more wins, keeping players happy in the process.
In Triple-A, I also have two such players currently. One is the closer, Ricky Melendes. He's a leader, with a 4-0 record, 11 saves and 1.71 ERA. The other is future HOF catcher Abraham Santana. He's got top notch intangibles and so far is killing the ball. The rest, are 25 or younger.
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