MLB GM for a day

[trashtalkr]

So my friend did this and it looked to be really cool.

The objective: create your own MLB team for under $100 million. Use the 2008 salaries (http://www.sportscity.com/MLB-Salaries/) to create a team that would compete in any division. $100 million would be good for 12th in the league just between the St Louis Cardinals and the Blue Jays (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/salaries).

Here's my team:

Lineup:
1. Hanley Ramirez – SS (Marlins, $439,000)
2. Chase Utley - 2B (Phillies, $7.8 million)
3. Albert Pujols – 3B (Cardinals, $13.9 million)
4. Mark Texiera – 1B (Angels, $12.5 million)
5. Josh Hamilton – LF (Rangers, $397,000)
6. Grady Sizemore – CF (Indians, $3.2 million)
7. Matt Holliday – RF (Rockies, $9.5 million)
8. Jason Varitek – C (Red Sox, $10.5 million)
9. Pitchers Spot (put a DH on your bench if you want)

Bench (5):
1. Dustin Pedroia – INF (Red Sox, $457,000)
2. Ryan Braun – OF (Brewers, $455,000)
3. Russell Martin – C (Dodgers, $500,000)
4. Yunel Escobar – INF (Braves, $402,500)
5. Rick Ankiel – OF (Cardinals, $900,000)

Pitchers:
1. Brandon Webb (Diamondbacks, $5.5 million)
2. CC Sabathia (Brewers, $11 million)
3. Cole Hamels (Phillies, $500,000)
4. Jake Peavy (Padres, $6.5 million)
5. Tim Licecum (Giants, $405,000)
Closer: Jonathan Palpelbon (Red Sox, $775,000)

Relief (6):
1. Joba Chamberlain (Yankees, $390,000)
2. Felix Hernandez (Mariners, $540,000)
3. Bobby Jenks (White Sox, $550,000)
4. Jonathan Lester (Red Sox, $422,000)
5. JJ Putz (Mariners ($4.4 million)
6. Joel Zumaya (Tigers, $420,000)


Total: $92.4 million (good for 14th in MLB between the Phillies and Astros)



Your turn....

[AYHJA]

Shit man, give me the Phillies, they won the WS and come in just at 100 mil, lol...I'm much more of a fanboy than a die hard, I'm sure my roster would be like the Yankees when its all said and done...But you've got a great lineup TT (Lincecum is a fucking steal), very hard to argue with that...I'd probably try to find a way to put Manny and A-Rod on the team though, man they'd be hard to fucking beat...

[trashtalkr]

With Manny at $20mil and A-Rod at $28mil, I figured I could leave them off and still have a great team. I still have Pujols, Tex, and Hamilton for power, Hanley Ramirez for speed and average, Varitek is a great avg hitter and calls probably the best game of any catcher. I love my lineup.

My pitchers will dominate as well. Yes, Licecum is a still as is Papelbon and Cole Hamels. My relief pitchers will scare any GM, also. Having Felix and Lester as long relief, Zumaya (when he's heathly) as the setup man with his 100mph fastball. Just think about how scary this would be: CC Sabathia for 6 innings, Joba Chamberlain coming in the 7th, Zumaya in the 8th, and Papelbon in the 9th. Hell ya...

[darklighter1]

Nice line up TT. I think I woulda gone Pedroia over Utley cause he plays in a stronger League and division plus reigning MVP and a smaller salary. Woulda picked Longoria over Puhols cause again cheaper salary (I think, I know he got the big raise last year so maybe not) and he's much younger. Catcher is tough! Varitek can't hit a pumpkin anymore but does call a great game but I'd probably go with Joe Mauer. Peavy and Webb I'd probably replace with Beckett and Halliday. Even though they make more I just couldn't build a team without the guys you could count on in big game situations. Peavy and Webb play in the weakest division in the weakest League.

Nice call in leaving off Manny and A-Rod. Even if salaries weren't a factor neither guy plays for the love of the game.

[trashtalkr]

Wow....I completely forgot about Joe Mauer! I would definitely have him in my lineup over Varitek. Dang...what an oversight.

I really want to keep Brandon Webb due to strikeouts and his nasty pitches (and age), but I'd be willing to leave Peavy off for Beckett.

[darklighter1]

Wow....I completely forgot about Joe Mauer! I would definitely have him in my lineup over Varitek. Dang...what an oversight.

I really want to keep Brandon Webb due to strikeouts and his nasty pitches (and age), but I'd be willing to leave Peavy off for Beckett.

Yeah well Webb is a fairly good pitcher too. ;)