New GMs: PLEASE post here to let me know you're an active member. We've had a flurry of new people, and I don't want to leave anyone on auto by mistake. You might not like the c omputer's decisions (trust me ). Also, I'd like vets to give advice to our new GMs here. You've all heard mine, or if not, you can do a search. But different people probably have a few tips.
My advice would be to ask around in chat before you agree to a deal. People who have been in the sim for awhile know what they're doing, and they will rape you in trades if you're not careful. But then, you new GMs don't want my advice: after all, I've never won a title. You should direct all your GMing questions to nomar, two-time champion and sim genius.
I also agree that you should all ask nomar. All GM's hail Nomar as the undisputed GM king of the baseball league. We all know that he will be back next year. You might argue and say that haven have more championships, but that is just because nomar let him bulk up on wins while he is rebuilding. (btw next year will always be next year - even next year)
Some more advice is to never give up on your team, the Master Talent Evaluator Nomar may point out that you have an "average team" and you'll "never reach the series" or even that he's going to do better than you, but if you stick in there, and build a team you can make a run to the title, or close to it even if it takes three long sim years of building an expansion team from nothing, and getting to game 7 of the World Series. Though don't take my word on reclamation projects, look at that magnificent job Nomar has done with Boston. I am a-feared of them. Also, when you prove someone horribly, horribly wrong, be gracious in pointing out that you've built an expansion team into a contender in less time than its taken them to rebuild Boston from the depths they've plunged it to, you wouldn't want to "shove it in their face", as it were. . . . The challenge still stands Nomar.
Speaking from experience I have dealt with Nomar the great. He will definitely have some $18 million per year contracts to unload should you decide to bolster your lineup with a trade. Edit*** although i really shouldn't be making fun of anyone since i own the Yankees and have only been to the playoffs once (my first year with the team i inherited from the previous owner no less). Since then I've learned exactly how painful it can be to live the life of Daniel Schneider or Jerry Jones (without his rings)...
oh Nomar, you funny, funny guy you. . . I have an average team, you said so yourself. I have a team that will never get to the Series, you said so yourself(oops.) Your team has championship talent, you said so yourself. Detroit is still available, and you can still take any three of your players with you, you're such a fanatstic GM, I reckon you'll have no problem proving me wrong about your abilities, especially considering your championship talent, and my "average" or "mediocre" team. Its put up or shut up time, I've thrown down the gauntlet, despite your history of shirking from such challenges(see : dismantling your team to avoid the Astros), either pick it up, or shut it up . . . Evaluate that.
I'm through with you. I'm a better GM, I've proven it, I even challenged you, giving you a chance to prove me wrong. Its clear you prefer to cower in your teams suckitude. Five straight 100-loss seasons, you're the Cam Bonifay of the sim league. Lets review some history : 2005 : Crawdads finish 81-81 in their inaugural season, Red Sox finish 62-101 2006 : Crawdads finish 48-114, bad year, Red Sox finish 7 games worse, 41-121 2007 : Crawdads finish 72-89, Red Sox finish 54 - 107. 2008 : Crawdads finish 93-76, Red sox finish 50-118 2009 : Crawdads finish 95-67, American League Champions. Red Sox finish 54-108. My team has been better than yours, every single year. Your team is now irrelevant. I've thrown down the gauntlet, until you're not scared to pick it up - shut it.
Hate to intervene in such a scintellating discussion, gentlemen, but why couldn't Nomar accept the challenge and stay in Boston? He only spends about half of his available salary anyway (this year, 58m). Seems like if you guys wanted a friendly wager you could set a time limit (2 or 3 seasons?) and cap Nomar's salary for those years at a reasonable number so that you were competing on the same playing field. Winner is the team with the most championships/world series/wins in that time frame.