Suggestions for Franchise Mode

I've been playing MLB the Show since before it was even called "MLB the Show" and one constant all these years is playing a franchise mode where you can trade and sign players as you please and take control of any team you'd like. With that being said we've come a long way but there are still some things that I would like to see added to help MLB the Show's franchise mode catch up to other sports video game franchises. Here are the Top 10 I could think of (in no order).

1. Start Today - One of the biggest franchise communities across other games is doing team rebuilds. Taking control of a team over the course of a few years to bring them back into contention. In NBA 2K, you are able to start a new franchise from Today's Date. You load into the franchise mode on the current date, with current real-life rosters, records, and league statistics. For example the Arizona Diamondbacks currently (as of 8/19) sit at a record of 41-81. If you were to take control of the Dbacks in a normal franchise and simulate to 8/19, chances are you're not getting that record and in most cases not anywhere close. Start today would create a fun new experience for players

2. Shareable Team Designs - This is one that can span into Diamond Dynasty as well. We can download other users' logos, rosters and sliders so why not others team designs? If someone makes a really cool Montreal Expos rebrand, I should be able to download the already put-together logos, uniforms, and stadium. Also, not sure of any rights issues but allowing uploads of images to use in-game would be cool too and make for better quality creation

3. CPU Trade Sliders - There's an option to turn computer trades on/off. But let me scale from 0 to 100 the magnitude or realism of trades. I want computer trades on, it makes it more realistic, but Aaron Judge getting traded to the Pirates in May for Ben Gamel and a C potential prospect isn’t necessarily great either.

4. Managing Minor League Rosters - We can see which league each player on our team plays in (MLB, AAA, AA, A) and we can see each full roster collectively. But I think it would help if I could just see my AA Relief Pitchers instead of looking at the entire organization of RP. Not a major one, but could be helpful,

5. Depth Chart - Cool addition to this year's game, but why on earth is it only used to show me how players will be in 3 years. For the current year screen, you should allow me to move players around to generate my lineups from there. It's easier to see visually how your team lays out and who plays where.

6. Draft Classes - The draft is a cool aspect of each franchise mode, but we should allow created and shared draft classes. There are dedicated individuals that would create accurate real-life prospects. That way when you operate the 2021 Draft in your franchise you can actually pick people at least NAMED Henry Davis and Jack Leiter instead of auto-generated players.

7. Pitching Rotation Management - This one is pretty minor, but it can still improve. Say I make a trade for a #1 starter. I want him to pitch at the top of the rotation so I move him into the number one spot. The problem is I want to move my former #1 starter to the #2 spot in the rotation, but he just pitched yesterday and the #2 spot is pitching today. So I then have to slide my new Ace into the 5 spot or somewhere further down and the rotation gets all out of whack.

8. Coaches - We should be able to do things like Edit coaches, again to prevent from having auto-generated Managers. The hiring process could be easier as well in the offseason, like advancing day by day with updates on your offers instead of simulating 2 days to find out your top Manager candidate took another job, and now you’re stuck with a bad manager.

9. Offseason Free Agency - Similar to what’s stated above, there should be something that allows you to move along on a daily basis without leaving the Free Agents screen. I make 10 offers, back out to the menu, simulate a day, go back in and check my offers. I should be able to just press start to advance the day and see which of my offers have been accepted, who is still deciding, or who declined.

10. Trading - I think in trade scenarios you should be told whether or not players are on the 40 man roster. If I’m trading for prospects, I want to know if a 58 OVR 19-year-old with A potential is on the 40 man roster or not. He won’t be ready for the big leagues for years, but now he’s taking up a spot on my 40 man roster and I try to take him off, he will be claimed off waivers by another team. So maybe there are other prospects I could trade for, not on a 40 man roster, and it would be easier to see.

It would be awesome if we can all our players stats at once in their career. For instance, when we look at our player stats, included should be their minor league stats as well so there aren’t any gaps in the stats. Also instead of saying TOT, for instance say Carlton Fisk was on my Red Sox team in 2031 and half way through the season I trade him to the White Sox, then in the career aspect of the player it should say 2031 Red Sox, 2031 White Sox.

Also when a legend retires from franchise another legend should show up in free agent. That would be a cool way to always have a legend introduced to the game.

Also it would be awesome if the names list was alot more expanded in creation mode. Like for instance I can’t create Sal Bando or Sixto Lezcano because their last names are not in audio. Perhaps, I think SDS should go through the baseball encyclopedia and read off every name in that book. I know it would be time consuming, but worth a shot.

@rikstarr1970_xbl said in Suggestions for Franchise Mode:

Also it would be awesome if the names list was alot more expanded in creation mode. Like for instance I can’t create Sal Bando or Sixto Lezcano because their last names are not in audio. Perhaps, I think SDS should go through the baseball encyclopedia and read off every name in that book. I know it would be time consuming, but worth a shot.

Definitely would like this. Anytime, they can add for more creation I'm all for it. As someone who has a very uncommon last name, and obviously have never had my name audio in a game, they should add more for some borderline names haha

For instance Tony Gwynn is in the game but his name isn’t in audio. The same thing with names like Fergie as in Fergie Jenkins. His name is in the list but it’s not audible.