These type of threads were done a few years ago by Blue Cardinal, and now that a few years have passed, times have changed and we may (or may not) have a new perspective on who we think is best. This series will be used to help identify who WZ think is the best current baseball player. While some positions are deeper than others, if you aren't the best at your own position you can't be the best in the game. With that being said, here's the criteria I'd like you all to use:
Who you think will play the best for THIS season only? Not in 5 years, not who's been the best in the past 5 years. Salaries aren't accounted for either.
This ISN'T a lifetime achievement award. Think of it like this: if you are a GM, and you have any 1 player you can take for THIS YEAR ONLY, who would it be?
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Well, after 7 positional threads, we've reached the final poll. There hasn't been much debate on some, but now that we're here there should be some arguments one way or another. Due to all of these guys winning the vote, I'll place them in my order, 1-9, on how I would want them.
9. Brian McCann - Simply, he's not in the same league as any of these other guys offensively. He's a great hitter when compared to his contemporaries, but I'd want each of the 7 others at the #3 or #4 spot before him.
8. Justin Verlander - While he is the best pitcher currently playing, he still only accounts for 1/5 of the games played. He makes a hell of an impact in those 5 games, but he's put at a disadvantage for this.
7. Robinson Cano - His defense is overrated, he doesn't get on base enough for my liking, and still wouldn't be my preference for a 2nd baseman, let alone best in all of baseball.
6. Troy Tulowitzki - He has great potential when he sees the field, but he has only played 150 games in a season twice. He's produced great numbers when he played, but I want someone that'll be on the field every day. He also has a slight advantage by playing in Coors Field.
5. Evan Longoria - A superb fielder and hitter, he's got only one real flaw from me - his questionable health. If I knew Longo was gonna play 158+ games, he'd probably be top 3.
4. Josh Hamilton - Same as Longoria, only he's a better hitter. He's a slightly higher health liability, but we've seen what he can do in 130 games where he won an MVP.
3. Albert Pujols - If this was done a few years ago he'd for sure be #1. However, he's beginning to pass his prime. His numbers have slowly began to decrease since his 08 season where it's not a slam dunk that he's the best active anymore. Still a hitter to be feared, but not as he was just 3 or 4 years ago.
2. Miguel Cabrera - Has had the best collection of hitting the past 2 years, although the Tigers are hindering him defensively by playing him at 3rd. He's really put together 2 great back to back seasons and it's a slight surprise he hasn't won an MVP yet (although he spent the first few years going against Pujols and his teammate took one last year) but I wouldn't be surprised if he got one soon.
1. Matt Kemp - The most complete player in all of the game, this is his first real extended stint on the DL in his 5 full seasons. He presents the complete package of hitting, speed, and (improving) defense, all while hitting in a pitchers park with a bunch of replacement players around him for most of his tenure (and Ethier). He was only a HR away from 40/40 last year and I wouldn't put it out of his way to go 50/50 once. Truly the best actively.
So there you go, vote on your winner and make your voice heard.
Previous Entries
1st base: Albert Pujols
2nd base: Robinson Cano
3rd base: Miguel Cabrera and Evan Longoria
Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki
Catcher: Brian McCann
Outfield: Josh Hamilton and Matt Kemp
Pitcher: Justin Verlander
Who you think will play the best for THIS season only? Not in 5 years, not who's been the best in the past 5 years. Salaries aren't accounted for either.
This ISN'T a lifetime achievement award. Think of it like this: if you are a GM, and you have any 1 player you can take for THIS YEAR ONLY, who would it be?
---
Well, after 7 positional threads, we've reached the final poll. There hasn't been much debate on some, but now that we're here there should be some arguments one way or another. Due to all of these guys winning the vote, I'll place them in my order, 1-9, on how I would want them.
9. Brian McCann - Simply, he's not in the same league as any of these other guys offensively. He's a great hitter when compared to his contemporaries, but I'd want each of the 7 others at the #3 or #4 spot before him.
8. Justin Verlander - While he is the best pitcher currently playing, he still only accounts for 1/5 of the games played. He makes a hell of an impact in those 5 games, but he's put at a disadvantage for this.
7. Robinson Cano - His defense is overrated, he doesn't get on base enough for my liking, and still wouldn't be my preference for a 2nd baseman, let alone best in all of baseball.
6. Troy Tulowitzki - He has great potential when he sees the field, but he has only played 150 games in a season twice. He's produced great numbers when he played, but I want someone that'll be on the field every day. He also has a slight advantage by playing in Coors Field.
5. Evan Longoria - A superb fielder and hitter, he's got only one real flaw from me - his questionable health. If I knew Longo was gonna play 158+ games, he'd probably be top 3.
4. Josh Hamilton - Same as Longoria, only he's a better hitter. He's a slightly higher health liability, but we've seen what he can do in 130 games where he won an MVP.
3. Albert Pujols - If this was done a few years ago he'd for sure be #1. However, he's beginning to pass his prime. His numbers have slowly began to decrease since his 08 season where it's not a slam dunk that he's the best active anymore. Still a hitter to be feared, but not as he was just 3 or 4 years ago.
2. Miguel Cabrera - Has had the best collection of hitting the past 2 years, although the Tigers are hindering him defensively by playing him at 3rd. He's really put together 2 great back to back seasons and it's a slight surprise he hasn't won an MVP yet (although he spent the first few years going against Pujols and his teammate took one last year) but I wouldn't be surprised if he got one soon.
1. Matt Kemp - The most complete player in all of the game, this is his first real extended stint on the DL in his 5 full seasons. He presents the complete package of hitting, speed, and (improving) defense, all while hitting in a pitchers park with a bunch of replacement players around him for most of his tenure (and Ethier). He was only a HR away from 40/40 last year and I wouldn't put it out of his way to go 50/50 once. Truly the best actively.
So there you go, vote on your winner and make your voice heard.
Previous Entries
1st base: Albert Pujols
2nd base: Robinson Cano
3rd base: Miguel Cabrera and Evan Longoria
Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki
Catcher: Brian McCann
Outfield: Josh Hamilton and Matt Kemp
Pitcher: Justin Verlander
