2000 MLB Team and Bot Challenge

I haven't posted a challenge in a while so trying to get back to where the game started, the 2000 set. So many fun cards to play with, and want to give them some love with the 01 style being the dominant view lately. In this challenge, I am going to go first come, first serve, with people posting on Discord followed by on the blog here. If you're not on the Discord yet, message Jeff Mather in the Facebook group for the plug.

The rules are this:

-Each competitor gets to select one team from the 2000 set. With their team, they can only use cards from that specific team (if you select the A's, you can only use A's cards from both the base set and pennant run set). Every team is allowed to be picked one time, so again, it is a first come, first serve, basis on claiming a roster.

-With your roster, you must create a three-man rotation, carry four relievers, and field a full lineup including DH (sorry, for this I am not playing NL rules). As some teams have a limited number of relief pitchers available, teams can choose to carry one starter as a reliever. They are capped at -4 IP off of their chart instead of the full amount. Rosters will be 16 players total. If you choose to play someone out of position in the field, house rule penalties will apply.

-Thanks to Matt Gula and the Bot (showdownbot.com), we are adding a twist to incorporate and promote card creation. Teams may choose to upgrade or add 1 batter, 1 starter, and 1 reliever (three cards total). All Lokis (variants) of a card are welcome, so find the version of the card and player that you want to use and go with that. To qualify for a card, the player must have had either at least 100 at-bats or 25 innings pitched during the 1999 season. The player must have also appeared in a game on that team during the 1999 season. For players that do meet the qualifications, you are allowed to use any year that player played for the team (again, in that season they must meet those qualifications listed above). Two examples would be you could choose to upgrade Darin Erstad if running the Angels or Jeff Kent if managing the Giants to better years (to create better cards). Obviously this promotes finding super seasons, stellar play, one-off seasons, and impactful rookies/trades, so have fun diving into baseball history.

Darin Erstad regular 2000 card.

Darin Erstad 2000 season card using stat version #3 on the bot.

-To fully claim your roster and franchise, you must submit the entire lineup with what cards you will be using, as well as your created cards (which must be shared as well). As I do not have time to create all of these cards, when you submit your roster, you must submit the three pictures/cards that you wish to use from the Bot. The team is not yours until this is submitted and once it is sent it, your team is locked in (no swapping out later if you find a better version).

Games will be played with my house rules. Everyone has little wrinkles and twists for fielding, mistake pitches, and whatever else it may be. If you have a specific question, feel free to ask (I try to answer but sometimes I do not get to everyone). All games will be played out by myself or playing someone on TTS. If you are not on TTS and would like more information, hit Jeff up.

I will take submissions open through August 22nd, at which point I will create a schedule and play the season out.

Good luck to all who participate!