Trading For Superstars

Is it too easy in OOTP?

Trading For Superstars

After my latest OOTP experiment (see the video above), I’m starting to wonder if it isn’t too easy to trade for star players in OOTP.

One of the frustrating things I’ve noticed about OOTP 25 is that the computer manager is completely unwilling to part with prospects that have any sort of future. In fact, the AI seems to favor prospects so much that it’s not hard to send a few minor leaguers packing in exchange for major stars.

For example, in this 1993 project, I was able to trade a marginal starting pitcher and a minor leaguer for Ken Griffey Jr.:

I know that Griffey was in the last year of his contract, and that Seattle probably wasn’t going to be able to resign him anyway. Still — this is pretty unrealistic, and helped me turn one of the worst Mets teams of all time around into a contender at the beginning of the season.

Most OOTP guides tell you to build using youth. It makes sense, actually. The reason why building from youth works so well is because young players are underpaid for their first few seasons due to Major League Baseball’s salary structure.

However — the truth is that you can consistently build one star studded team after another by simply trading away prospects and draft picks in OOTP. It feels overpowered, almost like it’s a cheat.

What do you think?