Who would you take?

[lavell12]

While Everyone talks about Mauer, McCann actually had a better season. While Mauer did lead all of baseball hitting .347, McCann hit .333 with 24homers and 93RBI while Mauer had 13homers (11 less than McCann) and 84RBI.
While Morneau's numbers look fairly better than LaRoche remember LaRoche hit seventh for most of the year with mcCann and Francoeur infront of him his RBI numbers were actually limited though he still had 90RBI

[McCarroll21]

I agree with everything you said, but remember that McCann didn't get enough PAs to qualify for the batting race and Mauer did. So the difference in HR/RBI numbers is even greater.

Morneau and LaRoche both broke out at the same time. They were both thought of as left handed hitters that could generate some massive power, and they do it at the same time ... kind of interesting.

Personally, I would take McCann/LaRoche because of McCann's upside and probably a little bit of homerism, but when you're picking a team with the best combination at catcher and 1B, you can't do much better than both of these groups.

[RedneckParamedic]

i'll take the braves. mccann/laroche

[FalconPride]

I love McCann and LaRoche...but it's no real comparison at this moment. Justin Morneau is an MVP candidate and Mauer is a complete player whereas McCann's a bad defender right now.

[McCarroll21]

I love McCann and LaRoche...but it's no real comparison at this moment. Justin Morneau is an MVP candidate and Mauer is a complete player whereas McCann's a bad defender right now.
Not sure if you can really say he's a bad defender. He's gotten a lot better as the year went on and his CS% is suffering because Hudson takes about 10 years to get to the plate. Smoltz and James aren't quick to the plate either.

I can't fault you for taking the Twins combination though, like I said, you can't really go wrong with either.

[lavell12]

I agree with everything you said, but remember that McCann didn't get enough PAs to qualify for the batting race and Mauer did. So the difference in HR/RBI numbers is even greater.

Morneau and LaRoche both broke out at the same time. They were both thought of as left handed hitters that could generate some massive power, and they do it at the same time ... kind of interesting.

Personally, I would take McCann/LaRoche because of McCann's upside and probably a little bit of homerism, but when you're picking a team with the best combination at catcher and 1B, you can't do much better than both of these groups.

WHO?

[Nasadega]

I love McCann and LaRoche...but it's no real comparison at this moment. Justin Morneau is an MVP candidate and Mauer is a complete player whereas McCann's a bad defender right now.
you've just jinxed mauer :clap:

[Vuchato]

I love McCann and LaRoche...but it's no real comparison at this moment. Justin Morneau is an MVP candidate and Mauer is a complete player whereas McCann's a bad defender right now.


LaRoche would be an MVP candidate if we were in the chase, and Mauer has very little power, but McCann has a lot.

[FalconPride]

LaRoche would be an MVP candidate if we were in the chase, and Mauer has very little power, but McCann has a lot.
That doesn't make much sense. LaRoche would be an MVP candidate batting seventh? LaRoche had a great season, but don't go overboard with it.

As for Mauer's "little" power...the only comparison is that McCann is a better all-around hitter. But it's such a small thing. McCann isn't capable of a .429 OBP. But either way, Mauer's defense makes him the better player.

[Vuchato]

Baseball-reference released 2006 OPS+

McCann-146
Mauer-144
Morneau-140
LaRoche-133

(Pujols-180
Howard-170
ARod-140)

[BGarrett7]

Gotta go Mauer and Morneau, easily. While Mac and Rochy are both solid players, both Twins emerged as possible MVP candidates this season. Right now, it's hard to distinguish between McCann and Mauer as to who really is the better overall backstop; when it comes to Morneau and LaRoche though, Morneau was able to do all season what Adam was only able to do in the second half. Perhaps if he can continue his second half hotness into all of next year I will reconsider, but until then, the Braves don't have the best 2-3 combo in the game.

[hotcorner33]

Gotta go Mauer and Morneau, easily. While Mac and Rochy are both solid players, both Twins emerged as possible MVP candidates this season. Right now, it's hard to distinguish between McCann and Mauer as to who really is the better overall backstop; when it comes to Morneau and LaRoche though, Morneau was able to do all season what Adam was only able to do in the second half. Perhaps if he can continue his second half hotness into all of next year I will reconsider, but until then, the Braves don't have the best 2-3 combo in the game.


Yep, my thoughts excactly.

[oyhstah crachah]

Mauer and Morneau, mostly due to my contempt for LaRoche...

[RedneckParamedic]

Yep, my thoughts excactly.
yer thoughts suck:clap: