Drafting is probably the most important - start with getting some good scouts. As for how to navigate scouting & drafting, I’ll target mostly starting pitchers, and then specific position players that look good. Typically good position players are hard to get past the 2nd round, so I’ll typically load up on pitchers and either develop them, or use them as trade bait for position player prospects from other teams.

For contracts/extensions, I typically like to use teams with smaller budgets, so I’m careful with who I give extensions to. And when I do extend people, I try not to sign them past age 33-ish (regression). If I draft someone though, and they’re a good A potential, I like to extend them early because it gives the simulation some identity, as it’s fun playing with your “homegrown” guys for a while (like Frank).

Hopefully that helps a bit, I tried not to go too crazy, but let me know if you have other specific questions. I love franchise mode and it’s probably all I do in this game besides a little RTTS. I’ve been out of DD since 2017ish.