Field your best team

Okay, tough spot with tough questions.

you have to fill a team of 30 men, with 25 being on your 25 man roster.

You have to pick one player per major league team, and fill the best possible roster that you can.

For example, if you pick Albert, you can't have any other Cardinals. If you pick Mauer, no other Twins, etc...and you need one player per team.

and fill out the roster as such.

Catcher - Joe Mauer - Twins
Back up Catcher

Starting
First Base - Albert Pujols - Cardinals
Second Base - Chase Utley - Phillies
Third Base - A-Rod - Yankees
Shortstop etc etc etc
Left Field
Center Field
Right Field

Rotation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Closer

and you can fill in the last remaining spots. with your five additional players, you can either have prospects, or you can have 5 additional bench players...and state the team when you state the player.

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/tea...ve.jsp?c_id=kc

Power over speed.

C Joe Mauer (Min)
1B Albert Pujols (StL)
2B Chase Utley (Phi)
SS Troy Tulowitzki (Col)
3B David Wright (NYM)
LF Ryan Braun (Mil)
CF Matt Kemp (LA)
RF Justin Upton (AZ)
SP Zach Greinke (KC)
SP Tim Lincecum (SF)
SP Josh Johnson (Fla)
SP Felix Hernandez (Sea)
SP Tommy Hanson (Atl)
SP Jon Lester (Bos)
CL Carlos Marmol (ChC)
RP Neftali Feliz (Tex)
RP Andrew Bailey (Oak)
RP Heath Bell (SD)
RP Mariano Rivera (NYY)
C Matt Wieters (Bal)
UT Delwyn Young (Pit)
INF Gordon Beckham (ChW)
1B Joey Votto (Cin)
OF Hunter Pence (Hou)
OF Travis Snider (Tor)
extras
UT Matt LaPorta (Cle)
SP Steven Strasburg (Was)
RP Max Scherzer (Det)
RP David Price (TB)
SP Jered Weaver (Ana)

Mariners- Felix Hernandez
Rangers- Neftali Feliz
Angels- Jered Weaver
Athletics- Andrew Bailey

Royals- Zach Greinke
Twins- Joe Mauer
Indians- Matt LaPorta
White Sox- Gordon Beckham
Tigers- Max Scherzer

Rays- David Price
Blue Jays- Travis Snider
Orioles- Matt Wieters
Yankees- Mariano Rivera
Red Sox- Jon Lester

Braves- Tommy Hanson
Marlins- Josh Johnson
Mets- David Wright
Expos- Steven Strasburg
Phillies- Chase Utley

Reds- Joey Votto
Cubs- Carlos Marmol
Astros- Hunter Pence
Cardinals- Albert Pujols
Brewers- Ryan Braun
Pirates- Delwyn Young

Padres- Heath Bell
Dodgers- Matt Kemp
Rockies- Troy Tulowitzki
Diamondbacks- Justin Upton
Giants- Tim Lincecum

That's a pretty solid job.

you would take Scherzer over Porcello, Verlander and Cabrera?

Catcher - Joe Mauer - Twins
Back up Catcher- Weiters - Balt

Starting
First Base - Albert Pujols - Cardinals
Second Base - Chase Utley - Phillies
Third Base - A-Rod - Yankees
Shortstop Hanley - Fla
Left Field - Manny-LAD
Center Field - Elsbury - Boston
Right Field Abreu - LAA
DH- Cabrera - Det

Rotation
1. Tim - SF
2. Feliz - Sea
3. Grenke - KC
4. Garza - TB
5. Jair - Braves

Closer - Bell SD (cause I cant take Mo or Nathan)

C - Joe Mauer (Minnesota)
1B - Albert Pujols (St. Louis)
2B - Chase Utley (Philadelphia)
3B - Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay)
SS - Hanley Ramirez (Florida)
LF - Ryan Braun (Milwaukee)
CF - Matt Kemp (Los Angeles Dodgers)
RF - Justin Upton (Arizona)
DH - Adam Lind (Toronto)

C - Brian McCann (Atlanta)
IF - Gordon Beckham (Chicago White Sox)
IF - David Wright (New York Mets)
OF - Grady Sizemore (Cleveland)
OF - Jay Bruce (Cincinnati)

Starting Pitchers
1 - Zack Greinke (Kansas City)
2 - Tim Lincecum (San Francisco)
3 - Felix Hernandez (Seattle)
4 - Jon Lester (Boston)
5 - Justin Verlander (Detroit)

Closer - Mariano Rivera (New York Yankees)
RP 1 - Andrew Bailey (Oakland)
RP 2 - Neftali Feliz (Texas)
RP 3 - Huston Street (Colorado)
RP 4 - Wandy Rodriguez (Houston)
RP 5 - Jered Weaver (Los Angeles Angels)

5 Others
SP Stephen Strasburg (Washington)
C Matt Wieters (Baltimore)
OF Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh)
1B Adrian Gonzalez (San Diego)
SS Starlin Castro (Chicago Cubs)

Starting
Catcher - Joe Mauer - Twins
First Base - Albert Pujols - Cardinals
Second Base - Dustin Pedrioa - Red Sox
Third Base - Evan Longoria - Rays
Shortstop - Hanley Rameriez - Marlins
Left Field - Ryan Braun - Brewers
Center Field - Curtis Granderson - Yankees
Right Field - Andre Eithier - Dodgers

Rotation
1. Tim Linceucum - Giants
2. Roy Halladay - Phillies
3. Felix Hernandez - Mariners
4. Zach Grenkie - Royals
5. Edinson Volquez - Reds

Closer
1. Heath Bell - Padres
Releviers
RP1. Carlos Marmol - Cubs
RP2. Dan Haren - D-Backs
RP3. Ervin Santana - Angels
RP4. K-Rod - Mets
RP5. Jair Jurgens - Braves

Bench
Troy Tulo SS - Rockies
Miggy 1B - Tigers
Ryan Zimmerman 3B - Nats
Hunter Pence OF - Astros
Carlos Quinten OF - White Sox

5 More
Brett Wallace 3B - Blue Jays
Matt Laporta OF/3B - Indians
Andrew McCutchen OF - Pirates
Josh Hamilton OF - Rangers
Matt Wieters C - O's

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jeffy25

That's a pretty solid job.

you would take Scherzer over Porcello, Verlander and Cabrera?

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I needed more relievers and don't think Verlander would be as good out of the bullpen. I just plain don't think Porcello is that good.

Other notes-
-I picked Tommy Hanson in favor of Jason Heyward and Brian McCann.
-Since there was no McCann on the team, that made me choice backup catcher as Wieters over fellow Orioles Adam Jones and Brian Roberts.
-Missing out on Roberts, I picked 2B Delwyn Young over Andrew McCuthen since there was literally no else any good on the Pirates.
-I couldn't pass up Pujols, even if it meant leaving Wainwright off the team.
-I coulda gone with Jokiam Soria, but decided on Greinke instead.
-I really wanted Chone Figgins, but he's with the M's now, and I couldn't pass on Felix.
-I haven't seen enough of Wade Davis to pick him, plus I liked Price in the bullpen in '08 playoffs...so he earned the TB nod.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DiceDig

I needed more relievers and don't think Verlander would be as good out of the bullpen. I just plain don't think Porcello is that good.

Other notes-
-I picked Tommy Hanson in favor of Jason Heyward and Brian McCann.
-Since there was no McCann on the team, that made me choice backup catcher as Wieters over fellow Orioles Adam Jones and Brian Roberts.
-Missing out on Roberts, I picked 2B Delwyn Young over Andrew McCuthen since there was literally no else any good on the Pirates.
-I couldn't pass up Pujols, even if it meant leaving Wainwright off the team.
-I coulda gone with Jokiam Soria, but decided on Greinke instead.
-I really wanted Chone Figgins, but he's with the M's now, and I couldn't pass on Felix.
-I haven't seen enough of Wade Davis to pick him, plus I liked Price in the bullpen in '08 playoffs...so he earned the TB nod.

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love it.

It causes quite the ripple effect when picking the team.

Hill has to be starting 2B so that Halladay can get into rotation. Despite Papelbons struggles last year, he's as consistent a closer out there not named Rivera so I think he has to be the closer and is the smartest Red Sox pick.

Starting

Catcher - Joe Mauer - Twins
First Base - Albert Pujols - Cardinals
Second Base - Aaron Hill - Blue Jays
Third Base - Evan Longoria - Rays
Shortstop - Hanley Ramerez - Marlins
Left Field - Ryan Braun - Brewers
Center Field - Matt Kemp - Dodgers
Right Field - Justin Upton - DBacks

Rotation
1. Tim Linceucum - Giants
2. Roy Halladay - Phillies
3. Felix Hernandez - Mariners
4. Zach Grenkie - Royals
5. CC Sabathia - Yankees

Closer
1. Jonathan Papelbon - Red Sox
RP1. Neftali Feliz - Texas
RP2. Carlos Marmol - Cubs
RP3. Ervin Santana - Angels
RP4. K-Rod - Mets
RP5. Andrew Bailey - Oakland

Bench
Troy Tulo SS - Rockies
Adrian Gonzalez 1B - Padres
Miggy Cabrera 3B - Tigers
Hunter Pence OF - Astros
Grady Sizemore OF - Indians

5 More
Gordon Beckham - White Sox
Jered Weaver - Angels
Andrew McCutchen OF - Pirates
Steven Strasburg - Nats
Matt Wieter C - O's
__________________

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dickay

Hill has to be starting 2B so that Halladay can get into rotation.

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I think the gap between Utley and whoever the next best second basemen is is larger than the gap between Halladay and the rest of the top tier pitchers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HoustonGM

I think the gap between Utley and whoever the next best second basemen is is larger than the gap between Halladay and the rest of the top tier pitchers.

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well...i think halladay over your lester pick is much more significant upgrade than utley over hill. though admittedly thats assuming hill has a 2010 closer to his 09 performance than his 08.

C- Joe Mauer (MIN)
1B- Albert Pujols (STL)
2B- Chase Utley (PHI)
SS- Hanley Ramirez (FLA)
3B- Ryan Zimmerman (WAS)
LF- Ryan Braun (MIL)
CF- Grady Sizemore (CLE)
RF- Andre Ethier (LAD)

Bench- Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
Bench- Adrian Gonzalez (SDP)
Bench- Victor Martinez (BOS)
Bench- Carl Crawford (TBR)
Bench- Hunter Pence (HOU)

SP- Johan Santana (NYM)
SP- Dan Haren (ARI)
SP- Zack Greinke (KCR)
SP- Cliff Lee (SEA)
SP- Tim Lincecum (SFG)

RP- Carlos Marmol (CHC)
RP- Brian Fuentes (LAA)
RP- Mariano Rivera (NYY)
RP- Edinson Volquez (CIN)
RP- Scott Downs (TOR)
RP- Jake Peavy (CHW)

Others:
OF Andrew McCutchen (PIT)
OF Adam Jones (BAL)
SP Michael Ynoa (OAK)
RP Neftali Feliz (TEX)
OF Jason Heyward (ATL)

MG... of everyone on teh Braves u pick a guy with 0 AB in his Career? Mccann is better than Victor, and you could take lester instead of him. or Clay

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HoustonGM

I think the gap between Utley and whoever the next best second basemen is is larger than the gap between Halladay and the rest of the top tier pitchers.

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I agree. Utley is essentially alone in second basemen.

*sigh*....Hill is so underrated. :(

don't get me wrong, utley is great. if Hill continues to perform at the same level he did last year though...the gap isn't that big.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jeffy25

I agree. Utley is essentially alone in second basemen.

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Nick Punto!

C: Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins)
1B: Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals)
2B: Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies)
3B: David Wright (New York Mets)
SS: Hanley Ramirez (Florida Marlins)
LF: Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers)
CF: Grady Sizemore (Cleveland Indians)
RF: Andre Ethier (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Bench: Carl Crawford (Tampa Bay Rays)
Bench: Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers)
Bench: Aaron Hill (Toronto Blue Jays)
Bench: Brian McCann (Atlanta Braves)
Bench: Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies)

SP: Zach Greinke (Kansas City Royals)
SP: Felix Hernandez (Seattle Mariners)
SP: Tim Lincecum (San Francisco Giants)
SP: Justin Verlander (Detroit Tigers)
SP: Brandon Webb (Arizona Diamondbacks)

CL: Mariano Rivera (New York Yankees)
RP: Andrew Bailey (Oakland Athletics)
RP: Heath Bell (San Diego Padres)
RP: Ryan Dempster (Chicago Cubs)
RP: John Papelbon (Boston Red Sox)
RP: Scott Shields (Anaheim Angels)

Others:
Nick Markakis (Baltimore Orioles)
Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros)
Jake Peavy (Chicago White Sox)
Edinson Volquez (Cincinnati Reds)
Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals)

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In terms of second basemen, I really like Aaron Hill and Dustin Pedroia a lot. They're not comparable to Chase Utley, but they're excellent second basemen if you really wanted to go for Roy Halladay instead of Utley. Though personally, I prefer my five current listed starters over Halladay.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dickay

*sigh*....Hill is so underrated. :(

don't get me wrong, utley is great. if Hill continues to perform at the same level he did last year though...the gap isn't that big.

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7-8 WAR Player much > 4 WAR player.

Especially when the 7 WAR player has been consistent, while the 4 War has 2 seasons, non consecutive of that success.

Hill is great, most teams would be lucky to have him. But Utley is significantly greater.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dickay

well...i think halladay over your lester pick is much more significant upgrade than utley over hill. though admittedly thats assuming hill has a 2010 closer to his 09 performance than his 08.

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I'm not seeing it. Utley is a top 3 player in the NL, let alone just second basemen. Aaron Hill isn't close to that caliber.

Let's look at three different WAR figures - Rally/Chone, FanGraphs, and BP - 08/09 (I'll substitute Aaron Hill's 2007 instead of his 2008 since he missed most of the season with a concussion).

Utley: 14.3 (6.6/7.7), 15.7 (8.1, 7.6), 15.5 (7.5, 8)
Hill: 10.6 (5.2/5.4), 7.8 (3.6, 4.2), 10.6 (5.9, 4.7)

Lester: 11.2 (5.6/5.6), 11.3 (5.1, 6.2), 10.8 (5, 5.8)
Halladay: 13.3 (6.5/6.8), 14.7 (7.4, 7.3), 13.2 (6, 7.2)

Utley's advantage: 3.7, 7.9, 4.9 (Average 5.5)
Halladay's advantage: 2.1, 3.4, 2.4 (Average 2.6)

Point is really, though, that Utley is far and away the best second basemen in the majors. There's nobody close. Halladay is obviously among the top pitchers with an argument for being the best, but there is no clear top pitcher. A case can easily be made for multiple guys. Starting a team with Chase Utley at 2B gives you a sizable advantage over every other team in the league. The same can't be said for starting a team with Roy Halladay at SP.

There are some questionables obviously that people placed.

Picking Lee over King Felix? That's a questionable but still justifiable choice.

Wright or Johan?

Fielder or Braun? Well Fielder is out because of his position I assume.

What do you do about the Astros? Berkman, Lee, Oswalt, Wandy?

Angels, Red Sox, Yankees, all hard choices.

I felt like it would be fun to see how people voted.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jeffy25

Wright or Johan?

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I think Wright is the easy pick there

Quote:

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Fielder or Braun? Well Fielder is out because of his position I assume.

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Yep.

Quote:

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What do you do about the Astros? Berkman, Lee, Oswalt, Wandy?

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The Astros were the hardest for me because none of the players are really attractive picks going forward (I did this with the mindset of I'm starting this team and going forward from there so I tried to balance long term and short term). I ended up just waiting until the end and seeing where I needed someone and figured Wandy would be a good reliever/backup starter. :\

Since we've seemed to ignore the DH, who would be the top choice to DH?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tannhauser

Who would be the top choice to DH?

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I put Adam Lind on my team.

Someone rate my picks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by metsguy234

Someone rate my picks.

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Hell no- metsguy, you're crazy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dickay

Hill has to be starting 2B so that Halladay can get into rotation. Despite Papelbons struggles last year, he's as consistent a closer out there not named Rivera so I think he has to be the closer and is the smartest Red Sox pick.

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spoken like a biased Red Sox's fan ;)

Just saying from our convo, I can think of several other closers quite similar.

I'd honestly take my starting five over Halladay. :P Plus, how can you not take Utley?

As for relievers, most of them are quite similar and I only picked Mariano Rivera for my team as the closer because I love him more than love any other Yankee. The other option really for the Yankees would be Sabathia or A-Rod . . . or maybe Granderson. As a result, Mo it is!