2007 Team of the Future: American League
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by user Timothy Moreland (Bball3345)
Rules
- I will assemble a team of players to build the best team for the next five years.
- Salaries are not a factor.
- Whether or not the player will play for a major league team all five years or start for them is not a factor; therefore, i can select minor leaguers who may not be in the majors for two more years if I feel they are the best player to have. They will be starters on my team.
- The players do not have to be a certain age. Although, selecting Clemens may be a bad move because he would more than likely retire or fade very quickly.
Catcher
Joe Mauer: Duh! Well, Mauer hit .347 with a .429 OBP last season at the age of 23. He is one of the best defensive catchers in the game. His power will only get better and he will always hit for a high average. There is no weakness in his game.
Honorable Mention: Victor Martinez (He is far behind Mauer but no one else is even close to Martinez after that, except maybe Mike Napoli).
First Base
Mark Teixeira: Both Teixeira and Morneau will be in their peak years over the next five seasons. Morneau had a slightly better season last year, but Teixeira will "bounce back." Teixeira mainly gets the nod here because he has had three straight impressive seasons. Morneau was always an amazing minor league player, but struggled big time in 2005. His struggles might be explained away by the concussion he suffered. Overall, it is hard to choose between the two, especially since they are both adequate fielders. The safer choice is Teixeira.
Honorable Mentions: Justin Morneau
Second Base
Howie Kendrick: I chose Kendrick last season and took some heat, but there was not much to pick from and Kendrick is the next Tony Gwynn. This year, however, choosing Kendrick over Cano was nowhere near as easy. Cano brought his OBP up to an impressive .373 and hit 41 doubles. Defensively, Cano was Gold-Glove worthy last season. At 24-years-old, Cano has a bright future. As for Kendrick, he was shuffled around the field and struggled in his rookie season. Still, his defense is as good as, if not better, than Cano's. Kendrick projects to be a 20-HR hitter w/ 30 doubles. He also has better speed than Cano. Kendrick's AAA performance of .369/.408/.631 did nothing to prove me wrong, so it sticks with Kendrick for one more year.
Honorable Mentions: Robinson Cano
Third Base
Alex Gordon: Rodriguez has reached the other side of 30, his defense has fallen off the Earth, and it is time for the next ARod: Alex Gordon. In AA last season, Gordon hit 29 HRs with 22 bases in 25 attempts. His defense is an asset and he will be a .300 hitter with power to all fields. As soon as the Royals give him a job, which should be this season, Gordon will be the best 3Bman in the league.
Honorable Mentions: Alex Rodriguez, Evan Longoria
Shortstop
Miguel Tejada: Both Tejada and Peralta are excellent defensive shortstops, and Peralta may be the best defensive shortstop in the majors. Peralta is also six years younger than Tejada. After that, just about everything favors Tejada. Tejada's power has slipped the past few seasons, but he still is good for about 25 HRs and 40 doubles. While his power has dropped, Tejada has seen a rise in his OBP from .363 in 2004 to .387 in 2006. The rise was driven by an increase in batting average, so not necessarily more patience. Since coming to Baltimore, Tejada has consistenly been a superstar with the bat and is an MVP candidate every year. Had Peralta not slumped so badly on offense in 2006, this would have been his spot to claim.
Honorable Mentions: Jhonny Peralta
Leftfield
Carl Crawford: Cabrera is three years younger and established himself as an average hitter with a good glove last season. Crawford is a star with Olympic sprinter speed. Not only has Crawford stolen over 45 bases each of the past four seasons, but his HR total has increased from 5 to 18 in the same time span. While his OBP used to be dreadful, it is know in a very acceptable range and on the rise. The limits to Crawfords potential are unimaginable, but he will reveal them over the next few years.
Honorable Mentions: Melky Cabrera
Centerfield
Grady Sizemore: Sizemore is a guy who could hit 30 HRs and steal 20 bases. His .375 OBP last season was impressive, as well as a .533 SLG. Sizemore has the bat of a corner outfielder, which allows him to give the team more value by playing in center. Defensively, Sizemore is average. Sizemore will be the best centerfielder in the AL for many years to come.
Honorable Mentions: Curtis Granderson, Rocco Baldelli (Both way behind Sizemore)
Rightfield
Vladimir Guerrero: Guerrero passed the age of 30, has had health problems, and doesn't steal much anymore, but for now he is still the best rightfielder in the game. His power is in a decline, but he still hit 30 HRs and 34 doubles. Guerrero will always be able to hit over .300 and get on base around 40% of the time. Until one of the younger guys mentioned below becomes a superstar, Guerrero gets the nod in right.
Honorable Mentions: Nick Markakis, Delmon Young, Billy Butler
Designated Hitter
Travis Hafner: This is the best hitter in the American League. Hafner has a career .402 OBP and posted an insane .439 OBP last season. Even though he missed the end of the season with an injury, Hafner hit 42 HRs and drove in 117 runs. Even without playing defense, or contributing on the basepaths, Hafner's offensive dominance makes him an MVP candidate.
Honorable Mentions: David Ortiz
AL Lineup
3B Alex Gordon
Rotation
- Johan Santana
- Jeremy Bonderman
- Felix Hernandez
- Roy Halladay
- Jered Weaver
- Liriano would have been on there if he weren't injured.
