So us offline franchise players have clamored for an expansion mode for years and years. Since it doesn't seem to be happening any time soon, I've pondered how I could simulate an expansion team just for fun. Essentially, two teams would have to be stripped of their players and then "draft" from the remaining teams to formulate their starting rosters. I am going to try to do this.
The two teams that I will be stripping and re-drafting are the Rays and Diamondbacks, the most recent expansion teams. My process will be done entirely manually and under the same parameters as the 1997 MLB expansion draft. Once the teams are drafted I will run a franchise mode with the new teams. I am undecided as to whether I would control both teams or pick one and roll with it.
The parameters of the draft are as follows:
- Both "expansion" teams will select 35 players.
- The draft is divided into 3 rounds, with each team selecting 14 players in round 1, 14 players in round 2, and 7 players in round 3.
- The expansion teams may select any player not on the protected list of the other 28 teams, however the other 28 teams may only lose one player per round.
Rules for Protected List:
Round 1 - 15 players from the entire organization (majors and minors)
In round two and again in round three, each team may add 3 additional players to its protected list.
In addition to the players protected above, players drafted or signed as international amateurs in 2015 or later will be automatically excluded.
For the sake of simplicity in this process, the current rosters of the D'Backs and Rays will be automatically excluded from the draft. When a player is "picked," they will be exchanged for players on the stock roster of the Rays and D'Backs in order of overall rating (IE the first pick for the Rays will be exchanged for the Rays' player with the highest overall rating). In real life the Rays and D'Backs had been participating in the first year player draft since 1996. So all 2016 and 2017 draft picks and international amateur signings will be retained by the Rays and D'Backs (Brendan McKay, etc.).
I am going to spend some time setting up the protected lists for each of the other 28 teams. It will be tedious but I will probably enjoy it. I will then simulate the draft and post the results. If anyone is actually interested I will keep up a log of what is going on in this thread. My intent is for this to be a long-term simulation, with the goal of getting these two teams to face each other in the World Series (if I do control both of them in the franchise, which I am leaning towards). As in real life, the Rays will be focused on drafting a team of prospects with the goal of building a future dynasty. The Diamondbacks will be focused on drafting the best team to compete as soon as possible.
Hopefully not biting off more than I can chew with this. We will see.
The two teams that I will be stripping and re-drafting are the Rays and Diamondbacks, the most recent expansion teams. My process will be done entirely manually and under the same parameters as the 1997 MLB expansion draft. Once the teams are drafted I will run a franchise mode with the new teams. I am undecided as to whether I would control both teams or pick one and roll with it.
The parameters of the draft are as follows:
- Both "expansion" teams will select 35 players.
- The draft is divided into 3 rounds, with each team selecting 14 players in round 1, 14 players in round 2, and 7 players in round 3.
- The expansion teams may select any player not on the protected list of the other 28 teams, however the other 28 teams may only lose one player per round.
Rules for Protected List:
Round 1 - 15 players from the entire organization (majors and minors)
In round two and again in round three, each team may add 3 additional players to its protected list.
In addition to the players protected above, players drafted or signed as international amateurs in 2015 or later will be automatically excluded.
For the sake of simplicity in this process, the current rosters of the D'Backs and Rays will be automatically excluded from the draft. When a player is "picked," they will be exchanged for players on the stock roster of the Rays and D'Backs in order of overall rating (IE the first pick for the Rays will be exchanged for the Rays' player with the highest overall rating). In real life the Rays and D'Backs had been participating in the first year player draft since 1996. So all 2016 and 2017 draft picks and international amateur signings will be retained by the Rays and D'Backs (Brendan McKay, etc.).
I am going to spend some time setting up the protected lists for each of the other 28 teams. It will be tedious but I will probably enjoy it. I will then simulate the draft and post the results. If anyone is actually interested I will keep up a log of what is going on in this thread. My intent is for this to be a long-term simulation, with the goal of getting these two teams to face each other in the World Series (if I do control both of them in the franchise, which I am leaning towards). As in real life, the Rays will be focused on drafting a team of prospects with the goal of building a future dynasty. The Diamondbacks will be focused on drafting the best team to compete as soon as possible.
Hopefully not biting off more than I can chew with this. We will see.
Comment