"Dream" Team:

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 1, 2007 8:39 AM CDT

I was thinking about this last night in bed and I thought it would be a fun exercise to get our thoughts off of the Sox, so have fun with this.

Your task is to build a dream team that will compete for the World Series this year, and every year for the next 5 years.

Some ground rules:

The team needs to compete for a WS this year, so no players that are too far off to help you win this year.
This team is full of keepers, assume that the roster will be the same in 5 years. No trades, releases, extra players coming in, etc.
The team needs to be World Series worthy every year for the next 5 years.
Money is no object
The team is an AL team, so there is a DH (I thought it would be more fun this way)
And above all, have fun. If you disagree with someone, don't flame, offer up someone else and say why you'd like that person. You can certainly go wrong here and pick a player at the end of his prime, or someone who has major injury issues, but aside from all that, it's fairly open-ended.

I figured it'd be easiest to just do the field positions, a DH, 5 SP, and a closer. You can certainly do more if you like, but I'm just going to start with the basics. Here goes:

C: Joe Mauer
1B: Ryan Howard
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Jose Reyes
3B: Ryan Braun
LF/RF: Alex Rios
CF: Grady Sizemore
LF/RF: Matt Holliday
DH: Prince Fielder
SP: ~~Cole Hamels~~ Johan Santana
SP: Dan Haren
SP: Jake Peavy
SP: Carlos Zambrano
SP: Tim Lincecum
RP: Jonathan Papelbon

I could certainly replace almost any of those players with someone else equally qualified (D. Wright, M. Cabrera, H. Ramirez, K. Johnson, B. Hawpe, C. Crawford, BJ. Upton, R. Martin, J. Maine, J. Verlander, and so on...) but I think this team can compete for a WS right now.

So, what's your dream team?

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Nice work, but I'd make a few changes

C: Joe Mauer
1B: Mark Teixeira (better glove, not a large drop in OPS, entering prime)
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Jose Reyes
3B: A Rod (with less of a history, I think Braun is more risky, Alex is money in the bank even in 5 years)
LF/RF: Alex Rios
CF: Grady Sizemore
LF/RF: Matt Holliday
DH: Albert Pujols (better OPS)
SP: Johan Santana (will still be great in 5 years)
SP: Dan Haren
SP: Jake Peavy
SP: Carlos Zambrano
SP: Erik Bedard (not crazy about Tim as he is still wild, think Bedard is less of a risk)
RP: J. J. Putz (slight edge in K/9 numbers)

Who knows, you're right about being able to sub a bunch of these guys out with any number of players, still a fun debate.

by BustedFlush on Aug 1, 2007 12:53 PM CDT reply actions

I certainly thought about Teixeira

and Johan and Pujols. It's just Pujols seems to get injured every year now, and I'm wondering about Tex's power outside of the Texas.

It's a tough choice though. Fielder and Howard are big, slow guys, who can crank out 50 HR in a year. That's tough to turn down.

As far as A-Rod, I thought about him too. I think that Braun will continue to improve and put up A-Rod like numbers (heck, he's almost outperformed A-Rod since being called up, and it's just his rookie year). It's too bad his glove isn't that great. Wright really could be there too, as he is young and speedy and hits for average and power.

As far as Johan, I just think the amount of innings he has pitched over the years will catch up with him. 5 years from now, he'll be 35? I think? I dunno what his age is now. With a changeup as good as his, he could probably pitch well into his late 30's and still be dominant.

Putz is a good choice too... can't go wrong there either.

I thought about Bedard long and hard too. Insane K/9 and K/BB ratio. He has had some injury problems in the past that kinda made me slow to jump on, but he is young and very talented. Chris Young should be mentioned too...

Really, I can't argue with your list that much, as I thought about the changes myself. I just think that some of your replacements might be injury risks. If healthy, there is no doubt your lineup will win many WS's.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 1, 2007 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions

santana 33 in 5 years

by larry on Aug 1, 2007 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

That's all?

Wow. I thought he was a bit older.

In 5 years he'll be only 33... That makes him a pretty damn good candidate for the list.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 1, 2007 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

and not a bad candidate

for a long-term contract. probably one of about 4 pitchers i would consider giving one to.

by larry on Aug 1, 2007 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Right again

I think I could swallow placing Santana over Hamels, as Hamels is kinda injury prone, and Santana has practically never missed a start.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 1, 2007 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Zambrano might be a risk

I like the lineup. But I just have trouble trusting power-arms who have been through this many innings, especially with his lack of control. He led the NL last season with 115 BBs. Yes, he is dominant right now, but in two or three years he could be a huge problem (even though he's surprised me this far). I might replace him with Verlander. A little younger, still a power pitcher, but he better control and has competed against superior AL lineups.

by quartz77277 on Aug 1, 2007 2:04 PM CDT reply actions

Big Z is kind of a risk too...

a big power pitcher might not project well in 5 years, especially one that's thrown 200+ innings what, 3 years in a row now?

I thought seriously about replacing him with Verlander as well. His no-hitter was no-fluke.

Good comments.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 1, 2007 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

In fact, I might replace Lincecum

with Verlander right now. Maybe in a year, however, Lincecum will be where Verlander is now? Verlander improved quite a bit since his first year.

Really can't go wrong with either...

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 1, 2007 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions

hmm. lets see

C: Joe Mauer
1B: Albert Pujols
2B: Robinson Cano
SS: Jose Reyes
3B: David Wright
LF/RF: Carl Crawford
CF: Grady Sizemore
LF/RF: Vlad Guerrero
DH: Ryan Howard
SP: Johan Santana
SP: Justin Verlander
SP: Jake Peavy
SP: Cole Hamels
SP: Carlos Zambrano
RP: Jonathan Papelbon

Xbox live: Marco es DRUNK

by marco054 on Aug 1, 2007 4:52 PM CDT reply actions

interesting...

Crawford and Vlad at the corners...

You don't mind that Vlad will be 36 in 5 years? I mean, a great/career year at that age isn't impossible, look at Barry Bonds, but I just think that time is against him.

As for Crawford, I like him, but not at a corner spot. You don't think a corner outfielder like say Holliday or Rios has more power and hits for higher average than him, and therefore might be a better choice?

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 1, 2007 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I love Vlad

and I still picture him being one of the top most dominating hitters in the next 5 years. I don't if you can say the same for Holliday or Rios. I was stuck between Crawford and Rios but decided to go with Crawford. Ozzies need for speed is gettin to me. I even pondered throwing Brian Anderson in centerfield just for the hell of it

Xbox live: Marco es DRUNK

by marco054 on Aug 1, 2007 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions

No doubt Vlad is good now

but he's past the normal prime that people consider of hitters of 28-29. A few years past actually. I just think that Holliday and Rios can probably give you vintage Vlad over the next 5 years. Maybe not Rios as much, but he'd be close, I think.

Brian Anderson, now you're just being silly :)

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 1, 2007 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I didn't buy his damn jersey for nothing

I just wasn't ready to put Rios in there until he puts up another similar year and I haven't seen much of Holliday since he's in the NL and Colorado. I was going to put Vlad at DH and not have Pujols and then Rios in the OF. Then i thought its fuckin PUJOLS

Xbox live: Marco es DRUNK

by marco054 on Aug 1, 2007 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, Pujols is definitely a stud

even if he is having a "down" year...

I just wonder about his durability. Who knows how old he really is? He looks 32.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 1, 2007 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions

That rib strain

last year seemed kinda weird. Only old men usually get awkward injuries like that. Well maybe not my high school teammate broke his thumb tagging a runner

Xbox live: Marco es DRUNK

by marco054 on Aug 1, 2007 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions

tagging a runner?

that's not grindy at all. Erstad would disapprove. It's not like he was trying to swing at a ball or anything.

Pods would disapprove to. It's not like he was out on damp grass doing lunges.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 1, 2007 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Chris Young

I'd take Chris Young (SD pitcher, not the former Sox prospect) over either Zambrano or Lincecum. Young is young enough, heh, and despite his recent brawl with Lee seems to have a more even keel than Zambrano (not hard). Lincecum, while obviously talented, is still a bit of an unknown.

by spengler on Aug 1, 2007 7:27 PM CDT reply actions

Hmm

C: Russell Martin
1B: Albert Pujols
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Hanley Ramirez
3B: Ryan Braun
LF: BJ Upton
CF: Grady Sizemore
RF: Curtis Granderson
DH: Billy Butler

SP: Johan Santana
SP: C.C. Sabathia
SP: Jake Peavy
SP: Carlos Zambrano
SP: Erik Bedard
RP: Jonathan Papelbon

by beautox on Aug 3, 2007 12:47 AM CDT reply actions

SC, I like how in order to stop

thinking about the Sox you have to think of the most talented, exciting, competitive players in either league. That'll do it - as evidenced, at least, by everyone (so far) not naming a single Sox player.

I agree, too. Like we joke about "Hope (blank) enjoys his run", I hope we all enjoy our World Series title, for it is entirely possible we may never see another in this lifetime. And modern medical science has us on the cusp of a 150 year life expectancy for newborns!

PS Ramirez over Reyes? Granderson? Interesting. Tippling the hooch again?

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 3, 2007 2:42 PM CDT reply actions

hehe

i thought about han ram and granderson too, but i just like reyes and holliday/rios/sizemore better.

granderson has learned how to take a walk this year, which is nice, and he deserves to at least be in the discussion.

the only knock i see with hanley is his defense.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 3, 2007 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions

its simple

Hanley > Reyes. He is only going to get better and hit for even more power, if Hanley played in NYC they're wouldn't even be a question about who's better.

Ramirez .338/.392/.561 31SB/9CS Potential for a 40/40 in the future season

Reyes .303/.376/.455 52SB/14CS

Their gloves are comparable and lastly Hanley is 6 months younger and 3 inches taller. Hanley has a better career line in 1240 less ABs. So ill say it again

Hanley > Jose.

Granderson is having a better year than Sizemore and finally putting his speed to use at the ML level.

by beautox on Aug 3, 2007 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions

valid points

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 3, 2007 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions

forgot to add...

that i dunno if i see hanram hitting 40 in a year.

soriano did hit 40, but hanley is going to have to put up some bulk

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 3, 2007 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Hanley

He is one of the worst defensive SS in the league.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Aug 5, 2007 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, and if he puts on weight

like his fellow left side of the infield dude he'll be moved from SS.

I'll stick with Reyes. He also is performing under the hot glare of the NY media klieg lights -Hanley in the obscurity of South FL.

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 5, 2007 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions

false

i watch every marlins game, and he is defiantly not one of the worst defensive SS in the league. mediocre is more like it, with lots of athleticism to make of the difference in the near future.

Going by this recent article he has a ZR of -12, but at the same time Sizemore has a ZR of -8. Defensive stats in general are weak.

and even if he does have a weak glove at the moment; his bat more than makes up for it.

by beautox on Aug 6, 2007 1:00 AM CDT up reply actions