If you were a GM and every player in the MLB was a Free Agent...

[OU Hitman]

and you have the first pick of the Free Agent Draft. Who would you choose to build your team around and why?

[baseball junkie]

Derek Jeter, isn't if obvious?

[Reed Johnson]

A pitcher. Either Halladay or Santana.

[cbenson5]

I would probably pick Joe Mauer. It's rare to find a catcher that can hit and run like him. He's young and will likely be a very good player for many years to come. I rarely watch the Twins, but I understand he handles himself well behind the plate. A player of his caliber is rare.

[NYYDerekJeter]

Derek Jeter, isn't if obvious?

Yes, it is obvious, at-least it is for me :)

[Mariano_Rivera]

The best SS in NY, A-Rod. He's a rare 6 tool player and can play both short and third but Mauer would be pick #2

[Williamsburg2599]

The best SS in NY, A-Rod. He's a rare 6 tool player and can play both short and third but Mauer would be pick #2

The sixth tool is attitude - a combination of mental make-up, discipline, commitment to the sport, work ethic, game knowledge, willingness to cooperate, etc
Source:Richard Todd,Webball.com
Do you really think he has mental make-up? Remember the whole Golden Sombraro+ a few errors week of extremly sub-par preformance he had around a Month ago? He can't preform under pressure, IMO. So who can?


David Ortiz. Clutchest player in the league, MVP Canidate, 40 HRs, 109 RBIs, have you heard of him?

[Thunder John]

Francisco Liriano.

21-year-old left-handed ace-in-waiting.

I'd love to run that guy out 35 times a year for 15 years.

Plus, it's three years until eligible for arbitration and five years until eligible for free agency.

Thunder John

[Wade8813]

Probably Pujols. A consistently great hitter, who's still young, plays a variety of positions well, is a good teammate, and a hard worker... how much more can you ask for?

[Imapotato]

Derek Jeter

It would make my boss happy that I got the most marketable player in MLB

Women would buy jerseys, including the so called women Yankee fans who watch just because of him

More ticket sales, more merchandise...my job security in tact for 5 years

I guess I am the only one here looking at it from an overall aspect :)

[baseball junkie]

Derek Jeter

It would make my boss happy that I got the most marketable player in MLB

Women would buy jerseys, including the so called women Yankee fans who watch just because of him

More ticket sales, more merchandise...my job security in tact for 5 years

I guess I am the only one here looking at it from an overall aspect :)

You're not the only one. Jeter is the perfect foundation for any new team, not only because of the reasons you've mentioned but also because of his clubhouse leadership skills and the realistic possibility that he can be counted on to have at least six or seven more productive seasons -- chasing down 3,000 hits.

[starkeeper]

Albert Pujols!! He's got the whole package. Too bad he couldn't pitch as well!!;)

[redlegsfan21]

Albert Pujols, still only 26, he is a five-tool player that could break Aaron's record. I came close to choosing Alex Rodriguez who can reach the 500 HR-3000 Hit Club but I could lock up Pujols for a longer time.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Do you really think he has mental make-up? Remember the whole Golden Sombraro+ a few errors week of extremly sub-par preformance he had around a Month ago? He can't preform under pressure, IMO. So who can?


David Ortiz. Clutchest player in the league, MVP Canidate, 40 HRs, 109 RBIs, have you heard of him?
Yes I do think he has it. You see some people have what is known as "off-years" he can perform under pressure remember the walk-off against the Braves earlier this year.

Ortiz has eclipsed Derek Jeter as the most overrated player in baseball. Clutch hitting is the reason why (RBI/RBI's to) it's almost entirely luck when you get your hits.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Albert Pujols, still only 26, he is a five-tool player that could break Aaron's record. I came close to choosing Alex Rodriguez who can reach the 500 HR-3000 Hit Club but I could lock up Pujols for a longer time.
Err I think A-Rod reaching the 500 HR club is more than likely considering he has over 450 already and I don`t think Pujols is a 5 tool player. He lacks speed. Though I forgot about Pujols he would be tied with Mauer in 2nd

[baseball junkie]

For those of you who picked Liriano, I think he's about to be placed on the DL as of right now he is out indefinitely with a left elbow injury. That should be an object lesson -- don't try to build a club around young pitching.

Just ask any Cubs fan.

And as for A-Rod being the best shortstop in NY, that's a laugh. He can't handle the pressure. That's why he stinks with runners in scoring position. That's why he's not a clutch player. That's why he tries to force plays and makes tons of errors.

And in case you forgot, Tom Hicks and John Hart already tried to build a team around A-Rod. How did that work out again? A-Rod might put up gaudy numbers in the regular season but when it's time to really deliver, he wilts. He's also not a clubhouse leader, or even close to one.

Derek Jeter, on the other hand, is everything that A-Rod is not. He's the foundation that four championships have been built on. He's the undisputed leader of the Yankees. He is a great hitter, destined for 3,000 hits. He doesn't crack under pressure. And he shows the young players by experience, and otherwise if necessary, how to be a Yankee.

There's more to baseball than hitting home runs. Anyway, home runs are a fairly cheap commodity to come by these days.

[DoWnWiThTheSiCkNeSs]

Pujols ,Wright, or Reyes they are people i would want to build my team around

[redlegsfan21]

Err I think A-Rod reaching the 500 HR club is more than likely considering he has over 450 already and I don`t think Pujols is a 5 tool player. He lacks speed. Though I forgot about Pujols he would be tied with Mauer in 2nd
I was mainly wanting to empasize the 3000 hits. The 3000 Hits-500 HR club only has 4 memebers, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, and Rafael Palmeiro.

[Honus Wagner]

A pitcher. Either Halladay or Santana.

I go with the minority so far. As a GM, I want to win for many years, so I would go with Santana. If I were getting pressure from the president or owner that selling tickets was the priority, then I would go with Pujols and the long ball.

[Ytown Tribe fan]

http://andrewfalconer.com/neifi/neifi_legend.gif

[1905 Giants]

I would take Ichiro, because then you got a leadoff man who can throw, has good range, and has a good attitude.

[Mariano_Rivera]

For those of you who picked Liriano, I think he's about to be placed on the DL as of right now he is out indefinitely with a left elbow injury. That should be an object lesson -- don't try to build a club around young pitching.

Just ask any Cubs fan.

And as for A-Rod being the best shortstop in NY, that's a laugh. He can't handle the pressure. That's why he stinks with runners in scoring position. That's why he's not a clutch player. That's why he tries to force plays and makes tons of errors.

And in case you forgot, Tom Hicks and John Hart already tried to build a team around A-Rod. How did that work out again? A-Rod might put up gaudy numbers in the regular season but when it's time to really deliver, he wilts. He's also not a clubhouse leader, or even close to one.

Derek Jeter, on the other hand, is everything that A-Rod is not. He's the foundation that four championships have been built on. He's the undisputed leader of the Yankees. He is a great hitter, destined for 3,000 hits. He doesn't crack under pressure. And he shows the young players by experience, and otherwise if necessary, how to be a Yankee.

There's more to baseball than hitting home runs. Anyway, home runs are a fairly cheap commodity to come by these days.
What are you talking about, his numbers with RISP are great, check them.What tons of errors are you talking about? Check his summer last year.

You do need a little thing called pitching to win and Texas seemed to lack that. As to pressure, check his playoff numbers pre 2005.

You could say all that about Alex as well (with a few exceptions such as the 4 championships_)

[Williamsburg2599]

Yes I do think he has it. You see some people have what is known as "off-years" he can perform under pressure remember the walk-off against the Braves earlier this year.

Ortiz has eclipsed Derek Jeter as the most overrated player in baseball. Clutch hitting is the reason why (RBI/RBI's to) it's almost entirely luck when you get your hits.
When are Yankee fans going to admit that what Ortiz does isin't luck? 16 career walkoff hits, 8 of those going over the wall. 4 walkoff game hits in his playoff career, and 20 homeruns in 2005 which either gave the Red Sox the lead or tied it up. I don't know how a guy can be "over rated" when he goes out and single handinly wins games for your club on a regular basis.
JETER 9HRs .348 68 RBIs
ORTIZ 40HRs .291 109 RBIs.
Even if you take away his clutchness, Ortiz is still the better hitter. It's luck if you have 5 career walkoff hits, it's skill if you have 16.


he can perform under pressure remember the walk-off against the Braves earlier this year

Remember the 5 times Ortiz has done it this year? If walkoff hits are "overrated" then why are you bringing up the one time he's done it when Ortiz has done it 5?

[Williamsburg2599]

What are you talking about, his numbers with RISP are great, check them.What tons of errors are you talking about? Check his summer last year.

You do need a little thing called pitching to win and Texas seemed to lack that. As to pressure, check his playoff numbers pre 2005.

You could say all that about Alex as well (with a few exceptions such as the 4 championships_)
You can make anyone look good if you bring up the right stats, why look at check last season's fielding stats when you can look at THIS YEARS stats? You know, the .935 fielding% and the 18 errors? http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5275/career;_ylt=Av7BXOLOrIbAw9UzEHYp3DOFCLcF

[cbenson5]

When are Yankee fans going to admit that what Ortiz does isin't luck? 16 career walkoff hits, 8 of those going over the wall. 4 walkoff game hits in his playoff career, and 20 homeruns in 2005 which either gave the Red Sox the lead or tied it up. I don't know how a guy can be "over rated" when he goes out and single handinly wins games for your club on a regular basis.
JETER 9HRs .348 68 RBIs
ORTIZ 40HRs .291 109 RBIs.
Even if you take away his clutchness, Ortiz is still the better hitter. It's luck if you have 5 career walkoff hits, it's skill if you have 16.



Remember the 5 times Ortiz has done it this year? If walkoff hits are "overrated" then why are you bringing up the one time he's done it when Ortiz has done it 5?

Everybody realizes David Ortiz' prowess at the plate. However, if you are talking about buidinig a team around somebody Ortiz is far from the best choice, becasue he contributes ZERO defensively. He is far from being a speed thrill on the bases and he most certainly benefits from hitting before Ramirez. With a .290 batting average and a below .400 on base percentage for a player hitting before Ramirez, he is far from the best hitter in baseball. Granted the HR's and RBI's are there, but choosing a player who is not the best hitter in the game and contributes nothing when your team is on the field is ludicrous.

[Mariano_Rivera]

When are Yankee fans going to admit that what Ortiz does isin't luck? 16 career walkoff hits, 8 of those going over the wall. 4 walkoff game hits in his playoff career, and 20 homeruns in 2005 which either gave the Red Sox the lead or tied it up. I don't know how a guy can be "over rated" when he goes out and single handinly wins games for your club on a regular basis.
JETER 9HRs .348 68 RBIs
ORTIZ 40HRs .291 109 RBIs.
Even if you take away his clutchness, Ortiz is still the better hitter. It's luck if you have 5 career walkoff hits, it's skill if you have 16.



Remember the 5 times Ortiz has done it this year? If walkoff hits are "overrated" then why are you bringing up the one time he's done it when Ortiz has done it 5?
I`m beginning to think that a DH may have an advantage in late inning games because they are less tired then a position player so if I`m right it isn`t really luck. The fact that these home runs come at good (or bad depending upon your baseball outlook:evil ) times is luck. Ortiz probably is a better hitter than jeter though I`m not going to look into it. Besides he isn`t better than A-Rod.

You're right I don`t know what I was thinking when I mentioned the walk-off. :)

[Da Penguin]

Ortiz or Halladay....or maybe Vlad

[keystone12]

Joe Mauer. Plain and simple, he's going to end up being one of the great catchers ever to play the game. Loriano is a great pitcher, but has been helped by Mauer's ability to control a game at his young age. If the tTwins were in a bigger market he would be the market power that Derek Jeter is very soon. He can hit for average, run, and do everything behind the plate.

[Wade8813]

For those of you who picked Liriano, I think he's about to be placed on the DL as of right now he is out indefinitely with a left elbow injury. That should be an object lesson -- don't try to build a club around young pitching. Just ask any Cubs fan. I dunno... Oakland didn't seem to have a problem with their young pitching a few years ago.


When are Yankee fans going to admit that what Ortiz does isin't luck? 16 career walkoff hits, 8 of those going over the wall. 4 walkoff game hits in his playoff career, and 20 homeruns in 2005 which either gave the Red Sox the lead or tied it up. I don't know how a guy can be "over rated" when he goes out and single handinly wins games for your club on a regular basis.
JETER 9HRs .348 68 RBIs
ORTIZ 40HRs .291 109 RBIs.
Even if you take away his clutchness, Ortiz is still the better hitter. It's luck if you have 5 career walkoff hits, it's skill if you have 16. I'm not a Yankees fan, but I still think it's (to a large extent) luck. Yes, Ortiz has great numbers in those situations, but it's just too small of a sample size.

[Big_Mac]

i would definatly build my team around pitching, i would look hard at santana, halladay and liraino. those guys are the great pitchers of today. liriano i would probably lean towards because of his age and how many great years he'll have left. i'd also throw feliz hernandez name in the mix.

[mordeci]

Pujols, by a wide margin.

I'll assume the people suggesting Derek Jeter are being sarcastic, that's just idiotic.

[TheKingofKings]

Carl Crawford , underated superstar has every tool to be an All-Star and leader .

[W_Marone]

Ryan Howard or even better...Jonny Gomes.:D :clapping

[albertpujols]

Albert Pujols. Why? Triple Crown player.

[vainer]

Pujols, no question, you want a guy who can drive in runs and produce runs to build around. A-rod would be my second choice...

[MyDogSparty]

In order...

David Wright (modern day George Brett)
Albert Pujols (could be one of the GREATEST hitters of our time)
Derek Jeter (he's a proven winner)
Joe Mauer (at 6'4 I'm not sure he'll last long at catcher)

[EvanAparra]

Joe Mauer.

[Cubsfan97]

I look at this in a variety of angles. First, if Im buliding for the Chicago Cubs, no way will I ever build around pitching. Second, Pujols is great but if Derrek Lee can have many years like last year then I woulod choose him. He has a great glove, awesome power, had the most stolen bases on the Cubs last year (15?). His age is a major factor so thats what would make me wonder. Jeter is useless, he may bring in money but what good does money do you if the players are all drafted? And Jeter would only bring in so much money, he wouldnt pay for A-Rods salary and he isnt gonna win the game everyday, which leads me to David Ortiz. But as mentioned he has no defense nor speed so that would really be a bust and hes already up there in age. But then you look at the Marlins and Miguel Cabrera has already had a team built around him and he has done amazing so far so its been proven that he is worthy to have a team built around. Then ya gotta look later in the draft, you asked who would you pick first to build a team around, not who would you build a team around, so you got more possibilities. Ya draft say Pujols and then what are the chances there are NO great pitchers left in the next round, sure Santana, Halladay, etc. wont be available, but there will be a pitcher worthy enough to build a team around with a superstar hitter. Or the same switched draft Santana and then get a huge power next round. SO l.ike I said, there are many ways you can look at this. I hope all this makes sense, the non-paragraphing may be difficult to understand.

[josian]

Yes, it is obvious, at-least it is for me :)
I`ll begin by keeping jeter and cano together 4 as long possible:gt

[josian]

I`m beginning to think that a DH may have an advantage in late inning games because they are less tired then a position player so if I`m right it isn`t really luck. The fact that these home runs come at good (or bad depending upon your baseball outlook:evil ) times is luck. Ortiz probably is a better hitter than jeter though I`m not going to look into it. Besides he isn`t better than A-Rod.

You're right I don`t know what I was thinking when I mentioned the walk-off. :)

As a yankee fan, even though david ortiz play 4 the (losers) boston red sox, the fact that he`s a great hitter can`t be denied, however when u talk bout MVP honors that`s exactly what it means "Most Valuable Player" not MVH 4 most valuable hitter, Go Jeter!.

[josian]

As a yankee fan, even though david ortiz play 4 the (losers) boston red sox, the fact that he`s a great hitter can`t be denied, however when u talk bout MVP honors that`s exactly what it means "Most Valuable Player" not MVH 4 most valuable hitter, Go Jeter!.:radio :dance

[EvanAparra]

As a yankee fan, even though david ortiz play 4 the (losers) boston red sox, the fact that he`s a great hitter can`t be denied, however when u talk bout MVP honors that`s exactly what it means "Most Valuable Player" not MVH 4 most valuable hitter, Go Jeter!.

::cough:: 2004 ::cough::

Anyway, lets get past this lame comment...

Would you guys rather have a 27-year-old A-Rod, or a 22-year-old Jeter to start up your teams?

BTW, did you just give a thumbs up to your own post?

[CanadianKid]

Pujols or Santana.

[-Kyle-]

BTW, did you just give a thumbs up to your own post?

He is new, :laugh .

[SoxSon]

:radio :dance


josian--
Please don't quote yourself in order to give yourself congratulations. Not only is it a bit creepy, it's also not adding anything to the discussion, ok?

Thanks.

[justice22]

Hands down in a heartbeat I would go for Santana. Is everyone forgetting that he's still in his twenties?

[D6+]

Johan Santana or Justin Verlander. I definitely would want to build the team around a Franchise Caliber pitcher.

[Wade8813]

A lot of the people named are just too old to be the ideal choice. I understand the value of experience, but it's better to have a young amazing player, who 10 years from now will have the experience, instead of an older player, who 10 years from now will be retired.