We've had a lot of fun with our Hypothetical Wednesday posts, so we'll keep it going. If you missed any, catch up here.Today's question: If you're starting a Major League expansion team, who'd be the one player you build it around?
Some things to consider:
-Age
-Popularity
-Will said player sell tickets?
-Durability
-How many tools?
-Versatile?
-Do you go with a pitcher who throws just once every five days?
If you want to say Pedro Feliz, that's your right. Your team might hit into 800 double plays and lose 123 games, but, like we said, it's your right.
Think of the comment section as Hot Staci from sales: turn that shit out!
Our top five will lead things off in the comments.
16 comments:
1. jose reyes
2. albert pujols
3. alfonso soriano
4. david wright
5. grady sizemore
Albert Pujols, no question in my mind. Still young, and the best hitter in the game.
I like Reyes, but I might take Hanley Ramirez over him. He's the most underrated player in the MLB, I think.
Other possiblities are Miguel Cabrera (if he ever stops eating), Reyes, and Grady Sizemore.
I'd probably stay away from pitchers, because they're just too big of an injury risk.
I'm going with Reyes here. Defines five-tool player. Soriano wouldn't be on my top five. He's a bit of a defensive liability.
1. Reyes
2. Pujols
3. Wright
4. Sizemore
5. Mauer
Here are my top 5...the main criteria is that I wanted younger players...players like A-Rod and Jeter are both over 30 years old...
1. Miguel Cabrera - does not get enough credit
2. Jose Reyes - most electric player in the game
3. Jake Peavy - dynamic young pitcher
4. Albert Pujols - he has to be on the team
5. Joe Mauer - a good young catcher can stabilize the pitching staff
Well, frankly, homeruns sell tickets too.
1. Ryan Howard
2. Albert Pujols
3. Justin Morneau
4. David Wright
5. Grady Sizemore
1. Jose Reyes
2. Albert Pujols
3. Miguel Cabrera
4. Chase Utley
5. Grady Sizemore
6. Justin Verlander
That's right, a top 6 list.
First of all, I would need a time machine. Second, I need to go back to the 80's. And finally, give me Steve Balboni any day.
My team would win every game no matter what era.
1. Albert Pujols
1A. Elijah Dukes
2. Joe Mauer
3. Hanley Ramirez
4. Jose Reyes
5. Miguel Cabrera
6. Grady Sizemore
7. Alex Rodriguez
8. Josh Beckett
9. Alex Gordon
10. Pedro Alvarez - He's only a sophomore at Vanderbilt but in 2 years you guys will look back at this post and say...ahhh, this kid had a vision. Trust me.
For starters, you can't take a 1b because you can find so many players there. I thought I was going to be a Maverick and go with Jose Reyes, but everybody seems to be jumping on board. But he would be my first player.
I am a little surprised that nobody has mentioned Howie Kendrick. Based on positions that are hard to find good players (2b), this guy is a future AL batting champion. Hell, he would be leading the league if he didn't have that injury.
So I'd go with:
ss Reyes
2b Kendrick
CF Ichiro
I'd throw out the age limitations for Ichiro seeing that he would sell your tickets, give you marketing into Asia, and let's face it, he will be good for at least four more years.
Johan Santana definately ahead of soriano and wright. Soriano isn't young.
Chase Utley. Hands down. Amazing hitting and home run power. Amazing infield defense. And rarely gets injured, so he's always there to be consistent.
David Wright. In terms of ticket sales and marketability, I think it's just wiser to take a white, English-speaking guy. You can't underestimate the fact he matches the demographics of your fanbase best, and the ladies would probably pick him over fatass Cabrera any day of the week. Gotta bring in those female fans to the park. Also, he has high name recognition after playing in New York and is pretty good to boot.
1. lebron james
2. tom brady
3. reggie bush
4. tiger woods
5. ladanian tomlinson
all baseballers are on the juice!
gimme lebron's all-world athleticism...
brady's arm...
bush's speed...
woods' swing...
LT's tinted helmet...
1. Johan Santana
2. Albert Pujols
3. Jake Peavy
4. Curtis Granderson
5. Julio Franco
I'll go with Hanley Ramirez, because it seems like his potentially is as yet untapped (think Kevin Durant in tonight's draft). All the guys mentioned above are pretty awesome, but for the most part you know what you're going to get, with the possible exception of Reyes. But the prospect that a great player might still get better -- oooh, that excites me.
1. Jose Reyes
2. Ryan Howard
3. Prince Fielder
4. Albert Pujols
5. Ryan Zimmerman
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