If you were building a team and you could have anyone in the Majors, who would you take?

Question

You are the owner of a MLB baseball team. You have the 1st pick to take anyone in the Majors and you are building a team. Just saying, taking an old guy isn't the greatest idea. Who are you going to take if you are building a team?

Pick one pitcher
Pick one hitter

Wait, I take that back. Only one player. Pitcher or hitter.

Give me some reasons people!

Answer 1

There are so many great players, that you could pick one and still be right in your selection. As for me, it's second baseman Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies. He's the best at his position, hits for average and power, a leader in RBI's and runs scored, a clutch hitter, and plays the game the old fashioned way.......hard. He never complains even when he has a legitimate reason for doing so, he's a leader, and a great team player. He's young and has a bright future.

Answer 2

First off, you're evil for limiting it to only 1 or 2 players. I have a whole team list I keep handy just in case I'm ever so lucky. LOL!

For my hitter, I'd take Brian Roberts of Baltimore. He's only 29, so he's got some years left in him. He's not a power guy, but he's a solid player and will, if he keeps up as he has the last 5 years, give you 50 doubles and 50 steals on average. He's also got great range at 2nd base and is a good team leader.

(runner up is Brian McCann)

My pitcher is a harder decision. There are so many great ones out there. I think I'd take Tim Hudson, though. He's struggled a bit since coming to the National League, but he's shown in the past that he can PITCH. Under the tutelage of a guy like John Smoltz, he'll regain his dominance, even it he has to return to the American League to do it. His fire and passion for the game make him both a fierce competitor and an ideal leader.

(runner up: Erik Bedard)

Answer 3

I would take Albert Pujols without a doubt. I have been following baseball for over 40 years and in the last 15 or so I have seen big league games in about 25 different ballparks. I have seen a lot of great players, but Albert is the best hitter I have ever seen. He hits for power and average to every part of the field. He doesn't strike out much even though he will expand the zone if it is a situation where his team needs a hit.

Answer 4

Derek Jeter is a perfect choice to build around. Derek Jeter, unlike many players today, seems to get better with age. He is an amazing clutch player and a solid glove at shortstop. He is arguably the best leader in baseball and loves to play the game. He is greatly respected and there are really no weaknesses in his game. You know he won't get into trouble or bring his other teammates down. When the game's on the line, there's no scarier batter that can come to the plate than Mr. October. He's sponsored by Jordan, Gatorade, and various baseball training products. He is deeply involved in his own charity: Turn 2. He is the face of Major League Baseball. Pick the Captain, you won't regret it.

Answer 5

Joe Mauer.

It's said that the quickest way to get into the Majors is to be a catcher, because finding a great hitting catcher is so very rare. A catcher is incredibly important to building a team because he's the one in control of the pitching staff, calling the game. Mauer is young, he's always hitting, he calls a great game, he's mature enough to handle a veteran pitching staff, and he costs less than $9 mil per year, which means his contract won't cripple your team like A-rod's contract did with teh Texas Rangers a few years ago. Not only will Mauer hit and produce offensively, but he will also make every one of my pitchers better with the way he calls a game. Mauer's my #1 pick.

Answer 6

I do agree that Pujols, Santana, Peavy, or others mentioned will be great players for the next few years; but lets not forget that we are selecting players to BUILD a team around them for "a successful future".

We should be considering players that have been in majors for two to three years or on the verge of breaking through (as we want to be reasonably sure that he would be around for a long time). Hitters like Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, or Joe Mauer come to mind. You want to be able to mentor up-and-coming great players to your style of ball. Once you have decided on who would fill this role, then you go after a Pujols or a Jeter type of player.

For pitchers, you definitely have to get an aggressive, hopefully dominant pitcher with superior control of his pitches. This would be hurlers like Santana, Jake Peavy, Chris Carpenter, or maybe Roy Halliday. If this was 15 yrs earlier, Randy Johnson would definitely be on my list.

Answer 7

Josh Beckett because he has 9 wins and 1 lose and he you to play for my favorite team,Florida Marlins and got a 3-day rest in the 2003 world series aganst the Yankees and also made the last out of the world series and got the win and also was the MVP for the World series with 3 hits as a pitcher.

Answer 8

Phil Hughes. Pithching is the most important thing so gotta go with a young pitcher. Would have said king felix till he got hurt, I know phil is hurt too but its not an arm injury so im not worried. The guy was throwing a no hitter in his 2nd major league start before he pulled the hammy. Id have to take phil

Answer 9

For the hitter, i would pick jose reyes. A shortstop is usually your best athlete. also, he hits for an average, power, and is extremely fast (Stolen bases). He always causes problems when he is on the basepaths.

As for the pitcher, i would choose Johan Santana. I would pcik him because all of his pitches are just filthy. His change-up is the best in baseball. Even though he is is only around .500 right now, he is stil the best pitcher in baseball

Answer 10

Pitcher: Johan Santana - just an incredible pitcher.
Batter: Albert Pujols - best pure talent in the majors right now and may just be coming into his prime.

Both of these guys have had off seasons so far, but they're the ones I'd put my money on any day.