One thing that I think would help real time is to start earlier. There is no reason not to start the season in early May. With the late start this year, the value of players got skewed toward their short term, rather than long term value.

A different way to do RT would be to have 'windows' of stats. Say you play month one of the RT season using only the first 4-5 weeks of the MLB season stats. Then you play month 2 of the RT season with the second 4-5 weeks of MLB stats, etc. etc. That way, a hot start helps you only when it is happening & a hot finish (Like Radke finishing 8-1 since the all star break) will actually be helpful. This would eliminate the need for long term injuries also, since if a guy is really hurt in June, you could not use him in month 3 of RT. This is much closer to true RT. It would also cause the monthly FA draft to be even more important & make for more movement of players, thus letting everyone benefit from the monthly drafts.

Tom
Newtown Norsemen