I have started a franchise in MLB The Show and decided to undertake a rebuild and complete transformation of an organization from top to bottom.
This is Part 2 of rebuilding a franchise in MLB The Show from top to bottom.
Step 5: Tearing it down
After simulating a few months and finding the Marlins predictably in last place it was time to tear it down. I started searching for trades for some players and having trades offered to me as the trade deadline approached. I managed to trade away the following players to acquire more prospects and a few MLB players. Yaisel Puig, Scooter Gennett, Arodys Vizcaino, Drew Steckenrider, Caleb Smith, Brandon Kintzler, Corey Dickerson, Jonathan Villar, Garrett Cooper, Francisco Cervelli, Chad Wallach, Jesus Aguilar, Garrett Cooper, Miguel Rojas, Jon Berti, Matt Kemp, Matt Joyce and Lewis Brinson.
After these trades were executed my roster was looking very different. The MLB roster had some players who were already established, some with promise, but there were some pure developmental projects as well. There were very few actual Marlins players left. Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, Jose Urena, Jordan Yamamoto, Ryne Stanek, Yimi Garcia, and Stephen Tarpley were my pitchers. Jorge Alfaro, Brian Anderson, Isan Diaz, Harold Ramirez and Magneurus Sierra were my position players. Everyone else was new to the team.
The acquisitions
There were plenty. My MLB roster now had a new look that comprised of a lot of players who were acquired via trade. J.D. Davis, Ranger Suarez, Francisco Mejia, Jorge Mateo, Hunter Greene, and Jonathan India highlight those on the MLB roster. Anthony Kay, Bobby Bradley, Austin Shenton, Yu Chang, and Yoan Aybar are some prospects who are close to making an impact at the MLB level. Alexfri Planez, Mariel Bautista, Michael Gigliotti, Logan O’Hoppe, Antoni Flores, Edgar Arredondo, Nick Decker, and Jake Holmes round of the rest of the acquisitions.
Step 6: Free agency
This is where things get interesting. Entering free agency where there are players who can help elevate the roster immediately. With the quality of talent I currently had and the financial flexibility due to the teardown of the roster there was an opportunity to sign at least one high profile free agent. Looking at the roster there two clear needs that were present. Outfielder and closer. Luckily there were two premier players at those positions. Mookie Betts and Ken Giles.
I immediately signed Betts to a 10-year $330 million deal. Betts is one of the best players in the game and will make an instant impact on the team. Signing Betts will also allow some flexibility when evaluating prospects to use in future trades. Outfield prospects do not need to progress as quickly and can be used to acquire an upgrade or two elsewhere.
Ken Giles was signed to five-year $34.8 million deal. Giles was far and away the best closer available and being only 30 at the time of the signing this should not be a deal that ages poorly, at least not immediately.
Betts and Giles were the only two free agents I signed and that led to the next step in my process. A step that is pretty controversial. A rebrand.
