Tony Soprano - Modern Draft League Manager

Team/Custom modern draft league manager             

----    TONY SOPRANO -----

Soprano is a custom manager designed to handle a modern draft league roster. While he has some team specific programming, he should be okay to try with different rosters. Information to note include:

Pitching:
Rotation must be saved with franchise file or with lineups. Otherwise, if not benched all pitchers will be used in relief.

Closers and/or Super-type closers are by adjusted grades. This is determined by adding the relieving grade (or starting grade if no relief grade) plus or minus any control ratings. These are Z or W and/or HR allowance letters. Super closer types (someone used like a Rivera or Urbina) must have an adjusted grade of 17 and higher. They will usually be limited to one inning outings; however if they have a relieving durability of 2 or 1 and a high RR (usually 12+), they may pitch at the start of the 8th in a save situation. Additionally, in order to start the 8th they must have 60 or more innings pitched on the season.

If a team has more than one supercloser, the fully rested reliever with the highest total will be used as the primary supercloser and the other(s) used as setup relievers. Other closers have adjusted grades of between 13 and 16 and will be used as a team's primary collection of closers (highest AGs used first) if no supercloser is available. These closers may pitch multiple innings. Setup relievers (highest grade down but lefty/righty consideration used) will be used to setup the supercloser. One batter specialists are use not only as setup relievers but in critical non-save situations late (against high platoon matched hitters).

Starters pulled with workable batters of under 7 (i.e., RR minus batters faced in game). Quick hook with safe leads (5+ runs if low IP starter; somewhat higher for higher inning starters: but it's quick) if bullpen rested. Otherwise, starter are allowed to finish up (generally).

Itchy relievers given one batter outings late (if possible) to remove status. Modern hook with multiple relievers used in most contests. Need deep bullpen. Soprano's' pitching strategies are very similar to Buck Miller IV with the above difference (i.e., superclosers grades/innings needed, et cetera).

Offense:
Small ball: steals and H&R influenced by steal chance (actual steals also plays a smaller role). Strategies based on 100% limits. All types of steal undertaken, e.g., double steals, steals of home, et cetera (although they are rare). Limited bunting except late. SO per AB and SH per AB greatly used to rate bunters. H&R aggressive; more liberal than most managers. Usually, but not exclusively, against Z pitchers; low walk average hitters (i.e., .100 and less); double play prone hitters; 3+ HR rated batters; lefthanded batters with runner being held. Miller III/IV pinchhitting and other sub strategies. E.g., will PH for DH with a platoon disadvantage; will PH ahead to add to lead late (but best defensive players stay); PH to H&R; PH to bunt in critical situation late or to squeeze; PR to steal but quite limited.

Subbing in lopsided games from 7th onward. Better defensive players late (8/9 with 1-5 lead). Prefers using itchy bench guys in lopsided games. Quick blowout subbing - generally +/- 8 runs. Likes to go to bench in lopsided/rout type games.