If you could build around one player?

[DamnYanks2]

I was thinking, what one player would I build around if I had the opportunity of doing so. And I wanted to see the responses I would get. It's a legit question, because I think there will be alot of different takes.

Who would you choose?

Maybe a bonafide ace. King Felix, Kershaw, Verlander, Wainwright etc...

Or maybe you want to build around one of the star catchers we have. Yadier, Buster, Mauer, (probably a bit too old now, but hey it's your choice)

Maybe you want a big bat to bolster the offense. Longoria, Votto, Goldschmidt, etc..

Or maybe your all about speed and defense. Trout (the obvious pick) Mccutchen, Joey Gathright (just kidding)

I thought maybe this would be a stupid discussion, and I hesitated because Mike Trout might be the answer everytime lol, but I think there is enough amazing players, and difference in people's picks that this could be fun. And guys it doesn't have to be the best player you think, it can be your favorite too, So if Coco Crisp is your favorite player, and you want to foolishly build around him, have at it

So I'll start it off. I would build my franchise around Mike Tro...... Clayton Kershaw, "Koufax 2.0" barely over Trout and Hernandez.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: If you could build around one player?

I'll take Trout. 22 with that kind of overall production from an important defensive position? No-brainer.

[24]

Re: If you could build around one player?

Mike Trout and It's not even close. He's probably the most complete player that I have seen since Barry Bonds during his pirates days. He is the definition of a 5 tool talent and excels at everything. The best part about it is that he's 22. He hasn't even hit his peak yet. Can you imagine what he'll be like when He's in the 25-27 range? The Sky is the limit and barring any major injuries I think we could be watching one of the Greatest Players ever.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: If you could build around one player?

Everyday player? Mike Trout.

Pitcher? Clayton Kershaw.

Luckily this is baseball so the "build around one player" thing doesn't really carry much weight anyway.

[KMRblue1027]

Re: If you could build around one player?

If you choose Kershaw than you'd end up as the 1972 Phillies. If you choose Trout you'd have a great CF but still probably wouldn't win more than 60 games. Anybody else and you're even worse.

[yougo1000]

Re: If you could build around one player?

Duh, Joe Mather. In reality though Trout

[1stpitchhacker]

Re: If you could build around one player?

How bout that Miguel Cabrera guy? He's not too shabby.

[KMRblue1027]

Re: If you could build around one player?

How bout that Miguel Cabrera guy? He's not too shabby.

Older than Trout, poor defender, offensive production roughly equivalent, more costly in the short term.

[Chip Douglass]

Re: If you could build around one player?

Right now: Trout.

Long run: Harper.

[KMRblue1027]

Re: If you could build around one player?

Harper actually an intriguing debate. Is his power upside (which he may never reach) greater than Trout's all around production?

[SPTO]

Re: If you could build around one player?

Everyday player? Mike Trout.

Pitcher? Clayton Kershaw.

Luckily this is baseball so the "build around one player" thing doesn't really carry much weight anyway.

I agree with this, with baseball you have to build around a philosophy. Either you're going to build a team based around offense or one that's more pitching and defense oriented.

Personally if it was up to me i'd build around a youthful rotation with a couple seasoned vets and a veteran catcher that's been around the block.

[Chip Douglass]

Re: If you could build around one player?

Harper is actually an intriguing debate. Is his power upside (which he may never reach) greater than Trout's all around production?

IMO, yes, since Trout's skill set (defense, base-running) will erode faster than Harper's.

[SPTO]

Re: If you could build around one player?

IMO, yes, since Trout's skill set (defense, base-running) will erode faster than Harper's.

The thing that makes me wary about Harper is that apparently he's gone public in saying he wants to bulk up and be "big as a house". That's completely the wrong kind of body type for an OF. So he'll be a liability in the field unless the Nats (or your fictionalized team) can move him to 1B.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: If you could build around one player?

I agree with this, with baseball you have to build around a philosophy. Either you're going to build a team based around offense or one that's more pitching and defense oriented.

Personally if it was up to me i'd build around a youthful rotation with a couple seasoned vets and a veteran catcher that's been around the block.

Exactly, I would rather start out with a legit ace if I were starting a team, that's why I picked Kershaw. A legit proven ace, who's gonna keep my team in the ballgame, and can single handedly win ball games.

I understand that Mike Trout is a popular pick, and there's an argument, but it's not a no brainer, I would rather have Kershaw to head my rotation, even over the Amazing Mike Trout.

[24]

Re: If you could build around one player?

Exactly, I would rather start out with a legit ace if I were starting a team, that's why I picked Kershaw. A legit proven ace, who's gonna keep my team in the ballgame, and can single handedly win ball games.

I understand that Mike Trout is a popular pick, and there's an argument, but it's not a no brainer, I would rather have Kershaw to head my rotation, even over the Amazing Mike Trout.

It's hard to build around an Ace Pitcher though. Your talking about a guy that Plays one every 5 games. Kershaw is a stud and has 20 game winner written all over him but one Pitcher can only do so much. A Durable position player is playing anywhere from 150-162 games. The position player is going to have much more of an overall impact then the pitcher is.