platoon system

[nick_sr]

do you use/favour this system? do you find it effective?

[RogueHominid]

I LOVE the platoon system ...

If you're a budget-conscious team, using the platoon system allows you to assemble a roster full of guys with very specific skills and can help save money. It also allows you to win lots of matchup battles.

In practical terms, I like to platoon one OF, one middle infielder, one corner infielder, and the catcher if possible. That way you only have to find 1-2 "complete" outfielders and 1-2 "complete" infielders who can play everyday. That drastically reduces the number of people you have to pony up and pay for.

Also, a complete player can often have CON/PWR ratings that are lower than a specialist who only hits one type of pitcher well.

[nick_sr]

I can't hit lefties at all so I don't really set my lineup withall rhb but iI will however stack my lineup with lhb while facing a rightie. Platooning catcher's is a great idea tho

[RogueHominid]

Quote: Originally Posted by nick_sr

I can't hit lefties at all so I don't really set my lineup withall rhb but iI will however stack my lineup with lhb while facing a rightie. Platooning catcher's is a great idea tho

You'll hit lefties a lot better if you get some lefty assassins. Plouffe from MIN is one of my favorite guys in the game because he plays all over the field and murders lefties, while his numbers vs. righties are just barely passable for the MLB level. So he plays for my weakest hitter vs. LHP, no matter the position.

At C, Derek Norris is also a certified ninja assassin vs. LHP. He's a great guy to pencil in as your C vs. LHP, or to DH vs. LHP if you already have a C who hits lefties.

Those guys are good examples of the way you can generate value for a low price, as each makes less than a million, I want to say (I know Plouffe does). So you can build a roster with 3 guys like that for less than one "complete" player would cost you.

You still need a few good everyday players, but you don't need as many as you'd think. OAK is a good example: Crisp, Donaldson, Lowrie--they play every day. Everyone else gets moved around depending on match ups.

[uf2005]

I always platoon catcher, since they have to sit out every few games anyways. I also have a platoon outfielder at all times. You can find good platoon guys that are in the low to mid 70s that teams just basically give away.

[BA2929]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trojan Man

You'll hit lefties a lot better if you get some lefty assassins. Plouffe from MIN is one of my favorite guys in the game because he plays all over the field and murders lefties, while his numbers vs. righties are just barely passable for the MLB level. So he plays for my weakest hitter vs. LHP, no matter the position. At C, Derek Norris is also a certified ninja assassin vs. LHP. He's a great guy to pencil in as your C vs. LHP, or to DH vs. LHP if you already have a C who hits lefties. Those guys are good examples of the way you can generate value for a low price, as each makes less than a million, I want to say (I know Plouffe does). So you can build a roster with 3 guys like that for less than one "complete" player would cost you. You still need a few good everyday players, but you don't need as many as you'd think. OAK is a good example: Crisp, Donaldson, Lowrie--they play every day. Everyone else gets moved around depending on match ups.

Danny Valencia is a lefty killer as well. And since he played 2nd base this year a little for the Royals, I pencil him in at 2nd on a few off days instead of just 3rd.

[royals19]

I'm a big fan of platoons myself. It's a really cost effective move if you're playing with a franchise that doesn't have a massive payroll to roll out a solid everyday player. If you have the right players, then platoons can be considerably effective.

As mentioned above, Oakland isn't very good from a pure talent standpoint but they've managed to be one of the best teams in the league by effectively using platoons and managing matchups.

My franchise this year is with the Cardinals so I don't really make extensive use of the platoon. The only position that I'm trying to find an effective platoon for is at second base. Obviously I want one guy that can hit right handers and another guy that can hit left handers but I really like to have guys with good gloves. I want the transition from player to player in the platoon to be seamless on at least one side of the ball and I prefer defense over offense.

[NDAlum]

Great ideas and this thread has inspired me to look for some platoon opportunities in my franchise.