AL Team of the Future

by user 24.154.124.34

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

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 start with two of my American League Infielders

C: Joe Mauer...This was an extremely easy pick. He is 23 this season and has a career OBP of .371 from the catcher spot. The power is not yet reached its potential, as power develops later in a player's career, especially for catchers. He will definitely reach double digit HRs this year (9 last year) and should peak in the twenties over the next five years as he hits his prime. Defensively, he is well above the average catcher and adds three wins a year just from defense. Combine that with the fact he could be a .400 OBP/.500 SLG in his prime from a weak position and there is no doubt he should be starting for this team. HONORABLE MENTION: Victor Martinez (He is far behind Mauer but no one else is even close to Martinez after that.)

1B: Mark Teixeira...Another easy pick. Last year he reached the 40 homer plateau; although everyone has him reaching 50 HRs every year, I think he will probably peak at 45 and stay consistent for the next five years. The next five years will have him from the age of 26 to 30, in which he is good for a .375 OBP/.550 SLG. Throw on the fact he is a very valuable fielder, with a Rate of 108 last year(The amazing Derrek Lee is a 109), and Teixeira is easily the man I want over at first base for the next five years. HONORABLE MENTION: Richie Sexson, Chris Shelton, Justin Morneau (none of these three were close to being in the league of Teixeira)

AL LINEUP C: JOE MAUER 1B: MARK TEIXEIRA

Date
Mon 03/06/06, 3:31 pm EST