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Mac: Suicide and Redemption won the Throwdown.

Mac: Suicide and Redemption

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You're Building A Baseball Team From Scratch. Who Is The Guy You Build Around That Is Under 25 Years Old?

Coletrain said 09/17, 03:51 PM
For anyone who knows me well, knows who I'm taking. Gotta go with one of my favorite players: Hanley Ramirez. First thing, he is only 23 years old. Still not even close to his peak yet. He is a SS, which is a position that has become weaker and weaker throughout baseball. Not as many huge SS as their used to be. Second, you have his fantastic stats this year:

.333 AVG, 28 HRs, 78 RBIs, 115 Runs, 49 SBs, .390 OBP, 333 TBs

He can obviously hit for a very high AVG, has tons of power(remember he hits in one of the best pitcher's parks in baseball), and to top it off he has outstanding speed. All at the age of 23. This is only his 2nd year. Has not had 1 slump. His defense isn't great, but he'll get better as he gets older and more experienced. He can really do anything. I'm taking him.

Mac: Suicide and Redemption said 09/17, 03:59 PM
A face of a franchise, is what Cabrera is. At 24 years old, he is loaded in size at 6 foot 2, and 210lbs. A towering young man, that hit's towering shots. Cabrera has the ability to completely alter game plans from opposing managers. He creates so many more problems. Managers having to figure out how they will pitch to him, or if they will at all. Cabrera is a sure bet to get on base every single game. And men on base, creates more and opportunities for a team to score. Cabrera has the potential, and probably is already, the next Alex Rodriguez.

Cabrera is of course, the third youngest player to EVER reach 500 RBI's. That's amazing. At this point in the 2007 season, Cabrera is hitting .323, 32 HR's, 104 RBI's, OBP .401, OPS .971, & SLG .570.

NL Rankings: 7th in BA, 5th in RBI, 5th in SLG, 4th in HR, 8th in OBP, 7th in OPS.

Cabrera also hits in a pitchers park, playing 3B right along side your little buddy Hanley. Cabrera will be a dominant force in the MLB for years to come.

Coletrain said 09/17, 04:05 PM
There are afew things here:

1. You point out how big he is. That's not a good thing. He is a 3B. He has reported too heavy at times and that is not the thing you want in a 3B.

2. Cabrera is not the next A-Rod YET. It seems like he doesn't have determination at times and he isn't the best at defense.

3. He is not the complete package. Yes he can hit moonshots, but the thing I love about Hanley is he has everything Cabrera has, including speed and he is 1 year younger.

I like Hanley better because he can do more things. He doesn't have to hit the ball in th upper deck to change the game because of the speed he has. He is a realy 5-tool player.

Mac: Suicide and Redemption said 09/17, 04:23 PM
Ok. He's 24 years old, and I doubt he will be this big throughout his career. His hitting coaches, manager, and trainers more than likely have already mentioned to him about getting his weight down. Again, he's 24 years old. Right now he might not look to YOU as if he's determined enough. But he can certainly discipline himself to become a better all around player. That is what is required to be a great player in the MLB. Long time determination and hard work. He isn't stupid. He aint just a HR hitter either, he has the ability to hit other types of extra base hits. He's hit 179 2B's in his 1st 5 seasons.

Cabrera has hit 30+ HR's in 3 of his 5 season's in the MLB. In 700 games of his career, Cabrera sits at 136 HR's. He is on pace to hit 600+ HR's and 2,000+ RBI's if he is able to stay healthy and play to the age of for example, Bonds. You question his longevity based on his 1st 5 seasons. And you really cant prove that he will continue to be big, and be a guy that will break down.

This is really depending on what you prefer. Do you prefer the A-Rod type of player, or the Jose Reyes type of player? All I can say is that Cabrera will be a force for years to come.

Coletrain said 09/17, 04:33 PM
Wait a minute Mac, but you are forgeting that Hanley has TONS of power. He is not just a slap hitter(although he could be). Hanley is a more complete player then Cabrera. Yes, Cabrera has the advantage(not by much) in HRs, but I would rather have Hanley because he brings more to the table. And Cabrera would probably get bigger as he gets older. He could become a DH and if he does then you can't really build around him. Needs to play the field. I know Hanley has struggled on D, but experience can only help him. And Cabrera ain't no Brooks Robinson either. Give me Hanley.

Mac: Suicide and Redemption said 09/17, 04:46 PM
More complete player, yes. But is Ramirez on pace to shatter HR and RBI records? No. Cabrera is the youngest to ever reach 500 RBI's. Hello, this kid is gonna be a HOF if he keeps up his incredible production. Seriously, what is wrong with having this guy for 10+ years while he rips the cover off the ball for you? Nothing. And Cabrera is a clutch hitter. He's hitting .364 with Runners in Scoring Position, and he's hitting .429 with the bases loaded. This kid has what it takes to help propel his franchise in the playoffs. You base his future in size and being a DH off of nothing. Just "probably". And, its kind of hard to be a Brooks Robinson. I dont think your guy is an Ozzie Smith. In the end I'll take Cabrera, the big time power hitter that will eventually be placing himself in the record books. BOO-YAH!!!

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Oops, forgot to put his first name in the 1st line. Insert "Miguel" in front of the 1st Cabrera on the 1st line. It should read: A face of a franchise, is what Miguel Cabrera is.

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You're Building A Baseball Team From Scratch. Who Is The Guy You Build Around That Is Under 25 Years Old?

Coletrain beat Mac: Suicide and Redemption 12 to 11

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