Tired of Being a Baseball Benedict Arnold? How to Switch Teams in MLB The Show Franchise Like a Pro (or at Least Not a Chump)
Let's face it, sports fandom is fickle. You cheered for Derek Jeter your whole life, then suddenly you find yourself inexplicably drawn to the majesty of a Shohei Ohtani doubleheader. Maybe your favorite team just traded away your favorite player for a bag of peanuts (looking at you, GM who shall not be named). Whatever the reason, your baseball allegiance has shifted, and now you're stuck in MLB The Show Franchise Mode managing a team you wouldn't recognize with a fungo bat to the face.
Fear not, fellow fickle fan! There's a way out of this baseball purgatory, and it doesn't involve faking amnesia and joining a rival team's fan club (although, that might be entertaining...). Here's how to switch teams in MLB The Show Franchise like a smooth operator, not a franchise-hopping fool.
The "Start Fresh" Strategy: Burning Your Bridges (Figuratively, of course)
This option is the nuclear launch code of team switching. You're basically saying, "Hey, current team, it's not me, it's you!" Here's how it works:
- Accept the inevitable heartbreak: This is your team, for better or worse (mostly worse, judging by that last trade deadline). Saying goodbye is tough, but remember, there's a whole baseball world out there, full of shiny new prospects and dreamy trade possibilities.
- Head over to "New Franchise": This is a clean break, a chance to rebuild your baseball empire from the ashes. Pick your new team, savor the fresh start feeling, and try not to cry about that young stud pitcher you just left behind (it's okay, a little cry is normal).
Pro Tip: This is a great option if you want to completely revamp your baseball strategy or try out a new difficulty setting.
The "Three-Year Itch" Method: The (Relatively) Clean Break
There's a hidden gem in Franchise Mode most people miss: contract negotiations! Believe it or not, after three long seasons of (presumably) loyal service, your current team will actually offer you a chance to walk.
- Power through three seasons: Buckle up, buttercup, because you're in for the long haul. Three seasons might feel like an eternity, especially if your team is stuck in perpetual rebuild mode. Distract yourself by making epic trades, scouting for hidden gems, or maybe taking up origami (it'll help with the stress).
- Rejection is (sometimes) an option: When the glorious contract negotiation screen finally appears, decline that offer! It's like ripping off a band-aid: painful, but ultimately freeing. Now you can explore free agency (MLB The Show style) and find your new baseball soulmate.
Pro Tip: This method is perfect if you're attached to your progress but desperately need a change of scenery. Plus, you get to experience the thrill (or agony) of free agency negotiations!
Remember: Whichever method you choose, there's no shame in switching teams. The only true shame is being stuck with a team that makes you want to take up competitive tiddlywinks. Now go forth, conquer the Franchise Mode with your new team, and try not to get swept in the first series (we've all been there).