Best player to build a team around

[dragon4ever]

Who do you think would be the best player to start a franchise with?

1. Puljos
2. Ace (Lincecum, Santana)

[pbz06]

Re: Best player to build a team around

if I want the best youngest player on offense, it would probably be Hanley Ramirez. If I want the best hitter available that's not too old, probably Pujols.

for pitching, Santana is a beast, but going again with the youngest stud, I would pick Tim Lincecum...maybe even Grienke, who I think is only 24 or 25

[tessl]

Re: Best player to build a team around

I would go with a position player. Hanley Ramirez, Miguel Cabrera, somebody like that who is young and already a superstar.

[CMoneyGB]

Re: Best player to build a team around

Two words Ryan Braun!

[JTRaines92]

Re: Best player to build a team around

Evan Longoria

[CubFan23]

Re: Best player to build a team around

Evan Longoria

Yep, gets my vote too

[BDKiiing]

Re: Best player to build a team around

Id say braun, pujols, or hanley

[mmorg]

Re: Best player to build a team around

I always build my teams around pitching. If you are on a losing streak it's always great to be able to count on your staff Ace or your bullpen to shut the other team down and help break the slump. Greinke, Lincecum, Peavy, or Santana are always my first picks when I do fantasy drafts.

[RogueHominid]

Re: Best player to build a team around

Playing with the Dodgers a bunch, and now starting to play with the Marlins, I really like the cumulative effect of a middle of the order bat like Manny or Hanley. The CPU really plays these guys like they should--they avoid pitching to them at all costs. Hanley walked 3 times in my last game, as the pitcher wanted nothing to do with him.

The benefit is that everyone around that player gets better pitches to hit, plus, if you get a mistake to drive or a walk, you have at least one batter on for your cleanup guy.

I also like that they're involved in 140-150 games per year. Your ace is only in 32-33. It is certainly nice to know that every 5 days you're going to field a starter who can throw a shutout, a CG, or at least give you a great chance to win, but I'd take that ace after I had a big bat.

Case in point is playing with SF. Great arms on that team, but no offense. So you can pitch a 2 run game with Lincecum or Cain, but if you can't get 2 runs of your own, it's no good. And if they have a bad day, you're totally screwed.

[HustlinOwl]

Re: Best player to build a team around

Joey Votto

[GOS79]

Re: Best player to build a team around

I think the best way to start a franchise is to have a pick in the draft between 21-23. Here you can draft Hanley Ramirez in the first round. In the second round you can have either Evan Longoria or Prince Fielder (I like Longoria). In the 3rd round you can get a young starter like Felix Hernandez or Francisco Liriano. Then in the 4th round Chad Billingsley will be available. I couldn't think of any better players to start a franchise with. Longoria and Ramirez w/Hernandez or Liriano & Billingsley. WOW

[mgkibbles]

Re: Best player to build a team around

Tommy Hanson from the Atlanta farm system or Josh Hamilton from Texas.

[choadler]

Re: Best player to build a team around

I would take on of these:

Hanley Ramirez
David Wright
Evan Longoria

Young players at positions where there aren't tons of great hitters. You can draft plenty of first basemen and outfielders that can hit will.

[CBMerling]

Re: Best player to build a team around

These are the gentleman I would build a team around, I name 3 on both sides. I would like them YOOUUNNGG and although Pujols is a great choice, he is 29.

Position Players
Hanley Ramirez
Ryan Bruan
Dustin Pedroia

Pitchers
Felix Hernandez
Edison Volquez
Yovani Gallardo

[JohnnyC5252]

Re: Best player to build a team around

KRIS BENSON!!!

All that potential from 8 years ago has to show sometime soon!