Starting a team

by joecardsfan on Nov 1, 2007 4:26 PM EDT Comment 41 comments

Just for fun, until the hot stove really heats up, I thought we could play around with this. Who are the top 3 or 5 players you would want if you were starting a team? Who would you want as Manager? And, just for fun, what park do you wish your team played in??

A fun exercise to see who VEB thinks are the best/up and coming players, managers, and the best park. Enjoy!

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Hummm

Bobby Cox- Manager

Josh Beckett RHSP
Johan Santana LHSP

Albert Pujols
Hanley Ramirez
Andrew Jones (the in shape motivated version)

I will start things out. This was pretty quick and I am sure someone will do better.

by ICbirdfan on Nov 1, 2007 4:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

forgot my ball park

I would take that team to Bush. Bush is a fair park not too pitcher and not too hitter friendly.

by ICbirdfan on Nov 1, 2007 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I never put mine up

Manager: Mike Scioscia

Pitchers: Jake Peavy
JJ Putz

Players: Albert Pujols
Matt Holiday
Grady Sizemore

Ballpark: PNC Park, just not in Pittsburgh

by joecardsfan on Nov 1, 2007 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

perfection in the works

Pete Rose----------Manager

Johan Santana------Ace
JJ Putz------------Closer

A. Pu.-------------1st
A. Rod-------------3rd
Hanley Ramirez ----SS

by JacobOverkamp on Nov 1, 2007 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

NO ANDRUW JONES

Joe Girardi-Manager

Santana
Beckett
(with peavy a close 3rd)

Pujols
Hanley
Sizemore
Close for 3rd
Holiday-but he is only good in Colorado
Reyes-dont need him if you have Hanley
Beltran-guess im biased for the 72 homeruns he hit against us when he played for houston
Bob Hamelin-unfortunately he isnt available

I may be forgetting about somebody but this is what i would start with..gives you great speed at the top of the lineup plus some pop..imagine a 1-2-3 of sizemore, hanley, and pujols

by willie is a stud on Nov 1, 2007 4:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll bite

Manager - Manny Acta

Felix Hernandez
Phil Hughes

Troy Tulowitzki
Brian McCann
Grady Sizemore

by azruavatar on Nov 1, 2007 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gimmee these guys all day long..

Molina
Pujols
Hanley Rameriz
Cabrera
Santanna

Led by Tony

Playing in Busch.

I'm a little biased but that is how I would go. Good bats/defense and one hell of a pitcher.

The Red Blazer

by Red Blazer on Nov 1, 2007 4:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

bobby cox

I was 50/50 between Cox and TLR. I just don't think Cox gets near the respect he should. That man is great manager. He gets no love and I don't understand.

by ICbirdfan on Nov 1, 2007 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My 5

Pujols (best hitter), Sizemore (5 tool center fielder who is still young), and Braun (scary-good hitter) would be my position players.

Santana (best pitcher on the planet, still relatively young) and Felix Hernandez (some of the nastiest stuff I've seen and only 21) would be my pitchers.

For manager I would go with Manny Acta. That Nats team had a dreadful roster this year and they were actually not embarrasingly bad. The dude should get manager of the year votes (not win, just get votes).

by redbirdnation8206 on Nov 1, 2007 5:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stadium

Forgot the stadium...I'd have to go with SBC Park in San Francisco.

by redbirdnation8206 on Nov 1, 2007 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gorgeous park

right on the water. Loved it.

by joecardsfan on Nov 1, 2007 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sigh, no cardinals on my list

Russell Martin
David Wright
Hanley Ramirez
Jake Peavy
Roy Oswalt

I'm very happy with the new Bush, except I'd improve the beer selection. I also love Petco and Pittsburgh and think Arizona is nice, but they need to move the fences back 10 feet.

manager- meh. I'd say TLR just so I can have the pleasure of firing him when he gets into a fight with Ramirez.

by SleepyCA on Nov 1, 2007 5:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hanley Ramirez

is a good player - but there is talk that he won't stick at SS and that he isn't that good defensively. Why is he on everyone's list?

by Toddius396 on Nov 1, 2007 5:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i was wondering the same thing

he doesn't seem to have that 'excitement' factor of some other young shortstops in the national league.
... sorry, couldn't resist. i really was wondering the same thing about his defense.

by mattybobo on Nov 1, 2007 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hanley Ramirez.

Age 23
.331 / .386 / .562
29 HR / 125 R / 81 RBI / 51 SB..

If you don't want him to play SS, stand him on top of the dugout & he'll probably produce from there.

Boomer.

by glamboomer on Nov 1, 2007 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Dude Can Rake

29 HR and a 948 OPS from a SS. I like the line about having him stand on top of the dugout...maybe he could shoot the Tshirt slingshot device if he ever becomes a Cardinal...He'd be the DSsS (Designated Sling-shot Shooter).

by redbirdnation8206 on Nov 2, 2007 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Starting a team today

Manager: Mike Scioscia

Players:
Santana - Ace
Pujols - 1B
Utley - 2B
Hanley Ramirez- SS
Sizemore - CF

I got an ace, the best player in the game, and then guys who can rake at positions normally not known for offensive stats. Fill in league average guys at the rest of the positions and piece together an adequate bullpen and we got a championship.

by TICY on Nov 1, 2007 6:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, stadium

I'll play in Busch. I dont like quirky parks.

by TICY on Nov 1, 2007 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'll take a stab..

pujols
j. rollins
sizemore
utley

beckett

girardi for manager

stadium- busch
grady would be able to cover some ground. i always feel a good defensive team all the way up the middle is a good starting point. utley isn't the greatest defender, but damn he can hit for a 2bagger

10.27.06..greatest day of my life

by steveo61086 on Nov 1, 2007 6:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was real close

to adding J-Roll instead of Holliday. I'd probably take J-Roll instead bc of defensive abilities, base stealing, and can hit at home and on the road.

Great player, and a class act.

by joecardsfan on Nov 1, 2007 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

team

manager- scioscia

Lincecum, Bedard, Jimmy Rollins, Granderson, Y Molina

I'd have to say the Angels park, don't know the name

by AceOFFace on Nov 1, 2007 6:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lincecum

Is a good choice...the guy is an absolute freak on the mound...He's 5'10, 150 soaking wet and throws 98.

Just curious...but why Molina over Mauer or McCann and why Rollins over Ramirez or Tulowitzki?

by redbirdnation8206 on Nov 2, 2007 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Starting a team from scratch

I would assume I probably couldn't get high-priced vets, so I'd look at the young crowd:

Manager: Joe Girardi

Ballpark: Camden Yards

Pitcher: Adam Wainwright
Pitcher: Tim Lincecum
Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki
Third Base: Alex Gordon
Outfield: Hunter Pence

Cardinal fan in War Eagle land

by Mr Redbird on Nov 1, 2007 7:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh,

I'd take
Bobby Cox as my manager
My pitchers:
Johan Santana
Brad Penny
Matt Cain
My outfielder:
Curtis Granderson
My infielder:
Hanley Ramirez

The new stadium being built for the Nationals.

by jillsinmo on Nov 1, 2007 7:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok

Molina
Rollins
Utley
Sizemore

Santana

Torre

My Grandfather always said you build a great team by being strong up the middle. I like P-n-C Park, and I love where it is! Pittsburgh is absolutely beautiful.

by nybirdfan on Nov 1, 2007 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Your grandfather

is a wise man. Also, Utley is head and shoulders above the next 2nd baseman in all of baseball. Most any other position you could find someone comparable, but not at 2B.

by joecardsfan on Nov 1, 2007 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

he passed years ago at 86. Played catcher. He also though that sports writers were the worst low lifes in all of media, and that's going back a ways (ever see the movie 61).I believe him to this day. That's why I doubt the timing of these HGH stories.

Oh I am 48 by the way. So I have seen some things these bums can do.

by nybirdfan on Nov 2, 2007 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here we go...

Manager - La Russa

1B - Pujols
SS - Reyes
CF - Sizemore

SP - Santana
SP - Peavy

I was going to Mauer as my catcher, but it's a lot tougher to find quality SP than good catchers.

I'm curious as to why Hanley Ramirez gets the nod over Reyes (or any other SS) in almost all the posts. Reasoning?

by theWizard on Nov 1, 2007 11:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I picked Hanley for his bat......

he's young, he'll get better as a hitter and he may even prove more than adequate at ss some day. If not, no problem moving him into an outfield spot.

by jillsinmo on Nov 2, 2007 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok

giradi

pujols
reyes
penice
utley

beckett

at bush
add a young gm 115 mil sal. and lets play ball

by luvthemcards on Nov 2, 2007 1:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll take a shot at this.

manager- Buck Schowalter (cause if I ever need to win a title, I can just fire him and wait a year)

I'll take Johan Santana and Tim Lincecum to be my staff anchors. I thought of Peavey but his mechanics scare me. I think Lincecum is going to last, all five foot nothing of him.

I'll take Albert to play first and bat cleanup. Chase Utley to play second and bat ahead of Albert.
I'm on the fence between Mauer and Martin to catch. I worry about Mauer's health, but I think he's the best in the biz. I'll take him. This is all hypothetical, so hypothetically, he's durable.

I've got one of the two best hitters in the game, plus GG defense at first.
Solid defense at two up the middle positions, and offense from non offensive positions. That's how you win. All right, somebody give me a payroll.

The 2007 offseason: Butter? Or Steel?

by the red baron on Nov 2, 2007 8:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

By the way,

this is always one of my favorite discussion exercises.

The 2007 offseason: Butter? Or Steel?

by the red baron on Nov 2, 2007 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

Peavy's mechanics scare you and Lincecum's don't? The guy throws like Eckstein from short on every pitch...I'd be much more worried about him breaking down than Peavy, and Peavy has the benefit of having the best stuff in the National League.

"The Cardinals have won a World Series in THEIR new stadium!" --my Uncle Jim to a heckling Cubs fan

by fourstick on Nov 2, 2007 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lincecum's mechanics

Are actually pretty efficient. The guy uses his lower half extremely well. He's also an uncommonly gifted athlete...I think he was an equally accomplished gymnast coming out of high school, and if that's true it shows b/c he has uncanny flexibility and balance.

I'd be more nervous about Peavy b/c he has a poor frontside and his arm recoils after every throw, both seem to cause arm problems and/or velocity loss over time.

by redbirdnation8206 on Nov 2, 2007 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Payroll

lets say 85-100 mil. A little above league average.

by joecardsfan on Nov 2, 2007 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My 2 cents

SP:
Johan Santana
Yovani Gallardo (think this kid will be amazing and hate that we will have to face him)

Fielders:
Albert Pujols
Alex Rodriguez
Hanley Ramierz

Manager:
Joe Giradi

Stadium:
? I guess Busch III

This is great exercise just to pass the time.

by JBagKY on Nov 2, 2007 9:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The ultimate

SP-Jake Peavy
SP-Johan Santana

(Beckett and Carp would go 3 and 4 for me)

1B-Albert Pujols
SS-Jimmy Rollins
OF-Matt Holliday

Team first types of guys----and all can flat out play!

Come on You Redbirds--Mike Shannon

by BluesDrummer85 on Nov 2, 2007 10:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My 2 cents

Manager: Joe Girardi
No nonsense guy who knows the game and the franchise -- proven to be good with young talent

Ballpark: tie -- Fenway Park and the Polo Grounds
I hate the Sawx but I love Fenway; and who wouldn't want to see Sizemore patrolling CF at the Polo Grounds!!!

SP: Beckett, Peavy, Bedard, Sabathia, Carmona
All are fairly young, have dominant stuff, and eat a lot of innings.

RP: Chamberlain, Papelbon
Make every non-complete game a 7 inning affair hehehehehehehehe

C: Yadi - with this lineup I don't need a bat here
1B: Albert - no explanation needed
2B: Cano - how has nobody mentioned this guy?
SS: Hanley Ramirez - his numbers speak volumes
3B: D. Wright - much better D and speed than Braun
OF: Holliday - young, clutch, big numbers
OF: Sizemore - great 5 tool player
OF: Justin Upton - tremendous 5 tool upside
UT: Rasmus, Hu - two good, untested players who can play outfield and infield positions

Check out this lineup:

Sizemore
Ramirez
Pujols
Holliday
Wright
Upton
Cano
Yadi
Pitcher

Basically no opposing team's starter not named Santana gets out of the 5th against that lineup.

"The Cardinals have won a World Series in THEIR new stadium!" --my Uncle Jim to a heckling Cubs fan

by fourstick on Nov 2, 2007 10:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Honestly.

Just go ahead and give me the entire Devil Rays organization, put them in PNC Park with LaRussa at the helm.
I could pick 5 pretty good ones just off of their team:
Crawford
Upton
Young
Longoria
Kazmir
You could also put Shields, McGee, Davis or Price in there as well..
I really hope it all comes together down there...
Boomer.

by glamboomer on Nov 2, 2007 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You could build a pretty solid team

From guys who've not even made a list yet:

P's-Matt Cain and Justin Verlander

OF-ManRam

IF's-Jose Reyes and (go with me here) James Loney

by redbirdnation8206 on Nov 3, 2007 2:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah

And with Ron Washington (I couldn't think of another unmentioned guy) as manager and Tropican...er Kauffman Stadium (why not? It's cheap, its an attractive little park, sightlines are great).

by redbirdnation8206 on Nov 3, 2007 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs