NL Team of the Future

by user 24.154.124.34

This can also be read at www.sportspar.blogspot.com

Just as a refresher, here are the rules for this team. - 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.

I will pick a Catcher and 1B just like I did for the AL team:

C: Brian McCann...A relatively easy pick. Catcher has to be a young player when forecasting five years in the future and offensively I do not see anyone in his league, besides Mauer who is off in his own world. McCann was relatively impressive as a 21 year old in the majors last year for Atlanta. His slugging should be in the mid-.400s and eventually approach .500+ as he matures. He could reach the 20 HR plateau as soon as this year. His defense is average but he makes up for any defensive deficiencies with his potent bat. HONORABLE MENTIONS: Dioner Navarro, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Josh Willingham, Ryan Doumit

1B: Albert Pujols...The easiest pick I will ever have to make in my life. He is twice as valuable as the closest 1B. He is the most valuable player in baseball and will definitely be over the next five years. If he is indeed only 26, then we are about to see him enter his prime. That is a scary thought. He is good for 40 HRs and .330/.430/.600, which could be conservative. He even had 16 SBs last year and is a positive in the field. I am one to believe he is older than he says he is but that does not take away from the fact he is the most complete, dominant player in the game. HONORABLE MENTIONS: Derrek Lee, Ryan Howard(Bigtime HR Upside...as in 60 HR territory some day), Todd Helton, Prince Fielder

NL Lineup C: Brian McCann 1B: Albert Pujols

Date
Mon 03/06/06, 3:33 pm EST