Hr rbi man or a .300 hitter lead off man? Which would you build your team around?

Question

Which one of these players would you build your team around. A guy who hits 30 plus homers and drives in 100 but hits .250 or a leadoff man who who hits .300 plus and steals 30 plus....?

Answer 1

All things are never equal when you try to answer a question like this. Juan Pierre can hit 300 and steal 30 bases and so can Jose Reyes. Adam Dunn can hit 30 homeruns and so can A-Rod. I would take Reyes over Dunn but A-Rod over Pierre. But I think I see your point, Would I take someone like Reyes or Jeter over A-Rod and the answer would be no. I believe you need that superstar power hitter first and build the team around him. It's unfortunate and the real fan might see it differently, but fans come to the game to see the longball and not someone that can steal second base.

Answer 2

A HR and RBI man with an average of .280 or better, I'll take any day. That's obviously not the case though - they hit .250. That said, I'll take the leadoff man with the .300 season and 30 steals. This means each and every man in the lineup can very easily get into scoring position not only by hitting, but by showing off tremendous speed on the basepads. Typically, leadoff hitters never have extended slumps, and are also more likely to beat out bunts or soft ground balls. A team like that, is almost certain to score more runs per game than a group of guys with a .250 average. After all, most HR hitters can THANK contact-type hitters for half, or more, of their RBI's.

Answer 3

I will go against what most are saying here. I will assume defense is equal and that both play positions of equal importance as those are big factors as well...

I'll take the power and RBI guy. The lead off hitter can't knock himself in and is not very likely to steal home. The batting average is not as important as the on-base percentage. The difference between 250 and 300 is ONE hit every 20 at bats. The power/RBI guy will get more extra base hits which will drive in runs and with home runs they will drive in themselves. The lead off guy MUST have someone behind them to drive them in. Not true with the power guy.

I was a lead off hitter and the 300 BA guy with very good speed but the power guys are the ones the teams offense revolves around. Ask any old time pitcher who face the Yankees in the late 70's who they would rather pitch to: Reggie Jackson or Mickey Rivers. My bet is that they would rather pitch to Rivers.

Look at the salaries... Who do the GM's pay the big bucks to? HR/RBI guys. Plus: "Chicks dig the long ball!"

Answer 4

Give me a guy that can hit 300 plus and steal 30 or more. Look this time in baseball is know for the long ball there are a lot of people out there that can hit 30 plus and hit 250 how many guys out there hit 300 year in and year out and are true lead off men maybe 10 in the whole MLB. now ask yourself how many guys out there hit 30 plus and hit 250 and strike out 75 times a year. there is a crap load. so you can always pick up one of those guys. but thats just my opinion

Answer 5

I would build around Hr man. He would attract more fans which means more spending money. In a trade (even after a bad year) he would be worth more in trade. While on a good team that leadoff is a little more important in winning games. He also is less likely to be a one (season) and done player, to build a team you have to go with the who can hit the runs.

Answer 6

U should have a good leadoff man because u need him to get on base so the hr hitters abd rbi producers can drive him in. Look at the White Sox they couldn't score runs because their lead off guy was injured and didn't have anyone good to take his place, they weren't scoring runs. Build around your power guys with a good contact hitter that can also walk.

Answer 7

Good question! I would take the lead off guy because of the fact that he in the long run gives the team more opportunity to score runs where as a power guy that hits .250 will give you a run here and there and can give more only if if the guys in front of him get on! Here is a good example: Look at the Angels this year! They have a good hitting lineup but not a lot of pop but they are winning with it! Small ball, good pitching and defense win championships!

Answer 8

Give me the .300 hitter. I can at lest develop my roster around a consistant hitter. Home runs come in cycles. Better to have a player who can get on base and be a legitimate base stealing threat. He can effectively change the defense once he gets on base and other hitters in the line up could also imporve by studying their teammate's hitting ability.

Answer 9

a man who who hits .300 plus and steals 30 plus b/c the average is good and hitting is the main point in baseball when talking about offense you have better chance on getting on base than hitting homeruns

Answer 10

I would build my team around Jose Reyes.