Project: Genesis

by Eric Simon on Jun 29, 2007 10:07 AM EDT

Yesterday, Jon Heyman ran a column at SI.com about five guys you would use to start a franchise. Heyman polled executives from around the league and, lo and behold, Jose Reyes was the leading vote getter. Jonathan Papelbon was second, though he actually garnered the same number of first place votes as Reyes. I love Paps as much as the next guy, but.... huh?

Anyway, this is always a fun exercise, so here are the five guys I would use as the cornerstone of a new franchise:

Albert Pujols -- He's having an off season, right? He's hitting .298/.401/.527 and rising. The best hitter in baseball.
Jose Reyes -- Love the guy, and it doesn't hurt that he plays for the Mets. The scary thing is that he likely hasn't reached his ceiling yet.
Grady Sizemore -- Walks more than Reyes, has more power right now than Reyes, steals bases at a higher percentage than Reyes. Strikes out more and plays a slightly less valuable defensive position, so he's one slot below.
Alex Rodriguez -- Love him, hate him, he's still a beast at age 31. He's been such a bust for the Yankees that he will win two MVP awards in his four years there.
Johan Santana -- I almost took teammate Joe Mauer here, largely because I hate the volatility of the starting pitcher market. Still, Santana is as good as they get.

Honorable mention:

Chase Utley -- I passed because of his ridiculous home/road splits. .396/.473/.674 at CBP, .261/.350/.464 this season.
Joe Mauer -- Will be super valuable as long as he stays healthy and stays at catcher. Will still be plenty useful if he eventually changes positions, but he is superlative behind the dish.
Jake Peavy, Justin Verlander, Brandon Webb, some other pitchers who I am too afraid will get injured to start my franchise with.

Your turn.

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not bad

i agree for the most part, although I think I would rank Verlander as the #1 "alternate" starter becuase of his age and stuff.

A guy actually stopped me in a bar the other day and demanded, "if you were to start a franchise today and had 1 player to choose first, who do you go with?" My response? A-rod. Best hitter in baseball. Still young. Durable. Plays gold-glove defense at 2 positions. The guy was intoxicated so insisted that I was clearly wrong and demanded another name. I was wearing a mets hat, so first said "Wright" then "Reyes." Both answers disgusted this guy, and he then said "DUDE. Anybody who has a brain and knows baseball knows MANNY RAMIREZ is the best hitter right now and without a doubt the guy you want to start a franchise around."

I proceeded to laugh at him.

by razzmission on Jun 29, 2007 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

My 5

Johan Santana
Albert Pujols
Joe Mauer
Hanley Ramirez
Grady Sizemore

The best pitcher in baseball, the best hitter in baseball, and 3 guys who are young, and can rake at premium defensive positions. As much as it pains me to admit it, I think Hanley Ramirez will have a better career than Reyes. I can see Ramirez swatting 30 HRs down the road, but I can't see Reyes doing it.

Driving the Oliver Perez bandwagon!

by Greenpoint Ian on Jun 29, 2007 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

I agree

But I'd include the aforementioned Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera also. What Cabrera did last year in a pitcher's park was incredible, and he's following it up with another big year. He doesn't play a premier offensive position, and doesn't play it well to boot, but even if he winds up at first base, he'll hit enough to warrant at least an honorable mention. As for Ramirez, he's a better hitter than Reyes who should develop more power, even if he will have less speed. Considering he's taller and younger, there's a lot to love. However, I am extremely doubtful he'll remain a SS for a long time. He's been terrible defensively this year, and his size might become prohibitive as he fills out. Might wind up a toss-up.

by Alex Nelson on Jun 29, 2007 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

That should say

defensive position.

by Alex Nelson on Jun 29, 2007 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

My 5

You can always get productive vets for corner spots. I would want guys who play up the middle.

Verlander
Reyes
Hanley, we'll move him 2nd.
Mauer
Sizemore

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win!!!

by DoctorK16 on Jun 29, 2007 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

funktual 5 (Best players who are also funky!)

Jose Reyes - SS
Andruw Jones - CF
C.C. Sabathia - SP
Billy Wagner - RP
Chase Utley - 2B

We can get Manny for power and Jim Leyland to manage. Sorry Willie.

p.s. it took great pains to admit that the one guy who seems to always frustrate me in the field and at the plate was Andruw. and he's still young.

by Funktual on Jun 30, 2007 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

the franchise needs to stay around a while

This kind of question always confuses me a little, because it would seem to favor picking the youngest players that you're sure will develop into superstars, but people always pick a bunch of in-their-prime superstars anyway. If I'm running a franchise, I want that one centerpiece player at the beginning of an excellent career, not some distance into it. (I guess the tradeoff for this is increased risk that players won't develop as you predict.) For me, a player like A-Rod at this point in his career is not the best choice under these circumstances, despite his tremendous talent. Pujols, though, is a good pick -- those extra 4 years could make a world of difference to a franchise.

by anonymous on Jun 30, 2007 3:27 PM EDT reply actions