FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Steelercooz said 07/23, 08:49 PM
To start my franchise, my first guy's gotta be youngish, proven, versatile, popular, and dynamic.

You might as well just say it's gotta be Albert Pujols.

Look at his numbers. He's walking credibility with a captain's "C," and he's a World Champion. He's my 3-hitter for the next 10 years, if not longer, and the centerpiece of my franchise. We'll have enough challenges, I need someone dependable, offensively and defensively.

The Cardinals MVP first baseman is an every day player, and at the age of 27, he has 272 career home runs, a career batting average of .331 (third highest among active players), and 818 RBI. His 1.045 OPS is the second highest among active players, and fifth-best ever.

No player except possibly A-Rod has a better all-around game that Pujols - and A-Rod is four years older. Pujols has played outfield, third base and first base in his time with the Cardinals, which is essential for my team. He won a Gold Glove last year at first base, and finished second in the MVP balloting.

I'll even save everyone the annoying Chris-Berman-given nickname.

Steelercooz said 07/23, 09:24 PM
Speed is more fun to watch than power? Are you sure? Finding ANY player to hit .331 with 48 HR and 139 RBI is not easy, regardless of position. Since Pujols is the only proven player who does that (who is eligible for this TD), I'm not seeing your self-anointed edge.

Guess what? I don't have time to develop every player every game. My team is likely to be shiite, and I need a guy to drive runners in, not a guy to run 90 feet to be stranded at second by some 19 year old who should be in Double-A.

You only seem to have two things over Pujols. Your boy can take second base with the best of them, but Pujols hits for a considerably better average, and gets on base far more than Reyes does. I could give an Alan Ruck if he can steal second base. I want a guy to get there with his bat, not his legs, and power costs money.

I don't need to bring up the power numbers, but since you brought up contracts, you obviously aren't thinking long-term. If you think Reyes is going to get paid $400k a year, you've been breathing in the Shea Stadium bathrooms too long.

Passing on power because of money...you???re running a NEW team, not the Royals.

Steelercooz said 07/23, 10:46 PM
Ok, so under the business model of your team, your players never want contract extensions? That must be nice. In reality, though, all of the players you mentioned will get Pujols money soon. Reyes' money may not come off the top next year, but the guy's gonna get paid, and right quick (pun intended).

Building a team is a marathon, not a sprint (again, pun intended). This comes down to an investment. If both are going to cost you the bulk of your total salary, the smart choice is Pujols for the next 10 years for $140 million for a fledgling franchise that needs to sell jerseys over the speedy leadoff hitter who is less than Pujols in every stat except stolen bases - one of the most overrated statistics in sports.

That's my team's big thing. In our first year, we aren't going to compete. I want to put a.sses in seats, and jerseys on backs. Pujols is beloved by everyone, and he's the best all-around player available. If a player hitting a home run once every three or four games is less exciting than a Web Gem, ask fans in Philly and Milwaukee why they are watching their teams right now.

Thank you, and please vote for the best argument. Long live the OATTA!