Your the GM

[ATLBravos10]

Me and my friends were debating which hitter in all of baseball would be the most valuable to a team, and which pitcher.

I myself would take Evan Longoria, he can play D, hit for average and hit for power. And he fills the seats.

King Felix would be the pitcher that I would select, he is young and proven. He throws gas but doesnt rely on the FB to get batters out.

I was just wondering who yall would pick to start a franchise with. By the way THK wasnt far behind King Felix.

[GrandMasterB]

If we're talking long-term, then I'd take Hanley Ramirez. Not much that he can't do on a baseball field, and he just keeps getting better. On the pitching side of things, call me a homer, but I'll take Tommy Hanson. I know he's only been up a month, but he has been absolutely dominant so far. Those comparisons to Smoltz and Halladay are looking more and more realistic each time he starts.

For the short-term, give me Albert Pujols. Why? Because he's Albert Pujols. There's probably a few different pitchers I'd consider, but I think I'd go with Johan Santana. Year after year, he just goes out and dominates. You'd be hardpressed to find someone who's been more consistent than him over the last several years.

[BF91]

I'd balk at taking Hanley to some extent because he's eventually going to have to moved off of SS because of his defense. He's still an elite bat, there's no denying that. My offensive pick would have to be someone up the middle though; a catcher, 2B/SS, or a CF. Someone like McCann/Mauer, HanRam/Utley, or Sizemore/Kemp. Those are the kind of guys you build your offense around.

As far as the pitcher goes, I'm going to take the track record over potential. Give me Roy Halladay as the ace of my staff, and all is well in the world.

[renteria88]

As far as the pitcher goes, I'm going to take the track record over potential. Give me Roy Halladay as the ace of my staff, and all is well in the world.

Unless you are in the AL east

[TheBraveVolunteer]

Hanram, but since thats been said, Justin Upton. He can flat out rake and is really developing into the 5 tool guy he was taughted as. With how much he has progressed every year, you have to believe his ceiling is incredible.

Ill reach for another just because I like the way they play with Yovani Gallardo. Just like watching the kid pitch.

[HTF]

If we're talking long term to start a franchise I'd take Jason Heyward (no homer) as the hitter, and Tim Lincecum as the pitcher.

If we're talking for one season to win a championship give me Pujols and Lincecum.

[BF91]

Damn.....I just realized the title of this thread. In that context it would be "You're the GM" not "Your the GM". Good job.

[lilsnatch07]

I'm going to try to pick other players that haven't been mentioned yet so I'll go with David Wright. I know 26 isn't THAT young, but it's not that old and Wright can hit for power, he's got a nice BA and he can steal a base or two. His glove is pretty nice but could improve, I'd still build my team around him.

As for pitcher I'd go withhttp://mlb.mlb.com/images/trans.gifChad Billingsley. I'm trying to pick someone that hasn't been mentioned yet and he's got a nice ERA, can strike guys out and is pretty young.

[KB21]

As far as pitchers, I don't think you will find anyone better than Roy Halladay at this point. Arguments can be made for Tim Lincecum, but I think his long term health has to come into question secondary to his pitching motion. I'd go with Roy Halladay, who is the player I feel that Tommy Hanson compares favorably to.

As far as hitters go, there have certainly been some good names mentioned here. Evan Longoria is an obvious choice when you combine both offensive ability and defensive ability. Justin Upton is one of the best young hitters in baseball with his slugging ability and his ability in the field. David Wright has power, but his power is suffering in that new stadium the Mets have.

If I had to pick one hitter to build around in baseball today though, I'd go with Justin Morneau.

[timmy]

Give me Zach Grienke for my pitcher. Just 25, and already one of, if not, the best pitchers in the game.

Offensively, I'd probably take Wieters or else Pujols. Wieters gives you a guy to build a dynasty around, Pujols makes you an instant contender. Plenty of good arguments to be made for people like Longoria, Ramirez, and others. But those are the two hitters I'd most want.

[Chop33]

Pujols and Lincecum

[00Benj]

I'd take Josh Beckett and Miguel Cabrera.

[zstipe]

I would take Lincecum and HanRam. I think Lincecum is going to be durable throughout his career and I would take HanRam because he is the best young hitter in the game, hands down.

[cjones1999]

I'd take guys that aren't terribly old, but still have a veteran presence. That being said, I'll take Albert Pujols and C.C. Sabathia.

[TommyGunn]

Pitchers....Lincecum...easy choice. Runner up is Zack Grienke

Hitters. I love what Joe Mauer does and thats why he is my pick. There is no weakness in his bat!

Runner up. Ryan Braun

[ahmed5456]

I'll take Lincecum and Longoria.

Lincecum is in the conversation of best pitcher in the game. He is a shutdown pitcher, that can intimidate and overpower any hitter.

I'm taking Evan Longoria because of his Gold Glove type defense, and his Silver Slugger like bat. He is the best 3B in the AL, and he hasn't even peaked. He also looks like a leader, that can carry a team.

[ChipChipHooray]

I'm taking Evan Longoria because of his Gold Glove type defense, and his Silver Slugger like bat. He is the best 3B in the AL, and he hasn't even peaked. He also looks like a leader, that can carry a team.

I know Longoria is known for his bat, but I didn't realize he was a Gold Glove type defender. I always thought of him as average.

[PhantomsCV]

I know Longoria is known for his bat, but I didn't realize he was a Gold Glove type defender. I always thought of him as average.

14th in the league in fielding percentages at 3rd base at .962 .

[BF91]

14th in the league in fielding percentages at 3rd base at .962 .

Fielding percentage sucks at determining how good a defender is. It shows "sure-handedness" more than anything else. Range is what's important in my book.

[ATLBravos10]

Fielding percentage sucks at determining how good a defender is. It shows "sure-handedness" more than anything else. Range is what's important in my book.
Exactly, and the best way to determine their range is by watching them play

[BF91]

Exactly, and the best way to determine their range is by watching them play

Or with UZR or John Dewan's +/- system. UZR is more readily available to the public though.

[fonkey123]

Evan Longoria is one of the best defensive 3rd basemen in baseball.

I think the pitching choice is easy, and that's Lincecum.

Positional player is extremely hard. Hanley or Longoria probably.

[ATLBravos10]

Or with UZR or John Dewan's +/- system. UZR is more readily available to the public though.
Is that the system that had Yunel ranked #1 at short stop last year. jw

[zstipe]

Is that the system that had Yunel ranked #1 at short stop last year. jw

No. Smartass, it's the best method of determining defensive skills.

[ATLBravos10]

No. Smartass, it's the best method of determining defensive skills.
Naw im being serious. i remember last year there was a defensive system that had Yunel ranked first. I cant remember what the system was called though.

[BF91]

Naw im being serious. i remember last year there was a defensive system that had Yunel ranked first. I cant remember what the system was called though.

It wasn't UZR or Plus/Minus to my knowledge. Yunel was towards the top in both but I'm pretty sure that there was at least two guys ahead of him by each metric. That doesn't mean that he's not fantastic defensively though. There's no shame in being third when the two guys in front of you are Adam Everett and Jimmy Rollins.

[BravesFan4Life]

In terms of pitching my top 2

1: Lincecum
2: Danny Haren

runner up Roy Halliday only because of AGE

hitters

1: Evan Longoria
2: Albert Pujols
3: Chase Utley