Who Would You Start A Team With? 1B

[JJHardy7]

I'm getting anxious for the winter meetings and free agency, so I thought this might be kind of fun. I thought it'd be interesting to see who people would build a team around with position by position. I think it's fair to go with whoever you want, but I'm going to focus on younger guys to build with. Also, if this has to be moved to a different area, please feel free.

 

Up first...1B (players with major league experience only)...

 

1. Prince Fielder - defensive concerns, but age and production are too much for me to pass up.

2. Adrian Gonzalez - age, production, and left handed power bat

3. Albert Pujols - a "down" year, but still produced and is only 27

4. Ryan Howard - strikes out a little too much, but I think he'll be a stud for awhile

5. Mark Teixeira - Has produced from day one and again is only 27

 

Sleeper - Casey Kotchman - I like this guy (he's only 24), but I don't know if he'll be able to develop the power that I'm wanting at 1B.

[Fatter than Joey]

Pujols for me w/o a second's hesitation.

[Hammer]

Homer pick: Prince.

 

Educated pick: I would have to go with the hated D. Lee in Chicago. I know that he has had a couple of injuries but if he can come back from the wrist he has the total package. Very good offense, great defense = cornerstone.

[Robideaux]

For me, it would be between Prince and Pujols. Unless you believe the rumors regarding Pujols being older than his listed age, I think I would have to go with him.

[davego]

Albert.

[brettac1]

Pujols, easily.

[Oldcity]

Has to be Pujols. I think Prince and Tex are neck and neck for number 2 though.

[billyhallfan]

Pujols, hands down, I can't believe other players are in the discussion.

[Nader Raider Tim]

Well if contracts and team budgets aren't an issue yes Albert Pujols is undoubtably the choice. But if we are talking about starting a team with a budget close to what the Brewers have 75ish million, then I would undoubtably pick Prince #1. Pujols at 15 or so million taking up 1/5 of a teams budget, or Prince at 1 million or so taking up 1/75 of a teams budget.

 

So really it comes down to how the question is posed.

[JJHardy7]

I see Pujols as a great player, but I'd go with Prince because he's a few years younger and cheaper at this point. There's just something about Pujols that I just don't have a lot of faith in. I know he's constantly put up numbers, but I just think he's older than what he is. I also love Adrian Gonzalez and I think he could be a good player for quite a few years (I know right now Pujols is better than him).

[BrewCrewForever]

Pujols with Fielder and D. Lee right behind.

[mothershipconnection]

Pujols, I'll gladly sacrifice Prince's younger age for Pujols superior overall athleticism and longer history of pure dominance. Not only is he the safer pick, he's got a good shot at being the superior player even if both have similar longevity and health.

[Diggr14]

Definitely not Pujols, He is on the ticking tocking fast track to being busted for HGH or other illegal supplement. (See prior history of his personal trainer)

 

I'd take Prince or Howard.

[billyhallfan]

Pujols is also awesome at defense something Prince is not.

[yoshii8]

I would have to go w/ Prince, I think the progression from his first to second season was amazing, and he will continue to improve over the next couple of seasons.

[kgbaseball]

Taking anyone other than Pujols is questionable to me. The guy is the complete package.

[Weirdos19]

When it comes to defense, Pujols is overrated. He has Rolen and Eckstein throwing to him. Pretty accurate arms.

 

Remember, when Pujols was Prince's age, he wasn't a good first baseman.

 

1. Prince

2. Pujols

3. Berkman- Any reason why nobody mentioned him?

4. A. Gonzalez

5. D Lee

[endaround]

When it comes to defense, Pujols is overrated. He has Rolen and Eckstein throwing to him. Pretty accurate arms.

 

Remember, when Pujols was Prince's age, he wasn't a good first baseman.

 

1. Prince

2. Pujols

3. Berkman- Any reason why nobody mentioned him?

4. A. Gonzalez

5. D Lee

You're right, he was a decent third baseman. Pujols is just far superior.

 

[KCBrewerfan34]

Guys if you read the question as it was asked you would only answer the question in 1 way (i'm not a homer).

 

Fielder!!

 

He's 22ish, cheap, not a FA for 4 more years and money saved on him could be used to help other parts of the team out. Pujols at 15 million a year would not do that.

[RyDogg66]

If he can find his power stroke again Id consider Derrick Lee, but overall.

 

Pujols

Prince

D. Lee

[ILuvDaBush]

#1...Prince. It's as much his plate discipline as his power. And his age... And his contract situation. He is the Regal One!

#2...Miguel Cabrera. He's going to be a 1B in the near future. And he is already one of the most prolific hitters in the majors, and he's SO YOUNG!

#3. The Pudge-hole. Really...you could interchange any of the big three at present.

#4. Howard the Duck. He's slow, he K's a lot. Not three years ago, the Phils were doing their best to trade his butt. An MVP later... Bt he still is as slow as Ponch.

#5. Billy Butler. I know he's best as a DH, but the guy is incredible with the stick. And again, you can't look past how he is when he's putting up these numbers (both in the mjaors and minors, though more in the minors.)

 

Kotch and his mono get mention, as well as the fabulous Morneau...

[billyhallfan]

what is up with all the strange nicknames?

 

Remember, when Pujols was Prince's age, he wasn't a good first baseman.

 

As end pointed out, he wasn't always at first, I don't know how you can say his defense is over rated, are you joking? Through his career he has played left field, right field, third base, first base, and shortstop for two innings. He won a gold glove in 2006. No one ever said that contracts matter, Pujols is still young and productive. In 2006 he was first in slugging, .ops, and runs. After having a "down year" in 2007 he was 6th in slugging and 4th in .ops.

 

I like Fielder, but Pujols is an amazing player, he plays both ways. He is a complete hitter with gap-to-gap power. Fielder is young, but his body may not hold up for that long, and he is not a good defensive player. If you are strictly talking about a first baseman, I truly believe that anyone other than Pujols is laughable, it really isn't a contest.

[markedman5]

If money is a factor then Prince if you take money out of the equation then Pujols.

 

He does everything Prince does and plays excellent defense to boot.

 

Gonzalez ahead of Pujols? Wow..................

[logan82]

1 Pujols

2 Morneau

3 Fielder

 

I would take Fielder higher if we were an AL team, but then I guess his position would be DH and not 1B.

 

Howard is a year older than Pujols.

[Fatter than Joey]

If you are strictly talking about a first baseman, I truly believe that anyone other than Pujols is laughable, it really isn't a contest.

 

Agreed 100%

 

Even with the money/contract I would still pick Pujols -- Frankly I am much more confident in Pujols's ability to produce, than Prince's. If there is one fat contract I would feel good about -- It's Pujols. -- In an "off-year" you get a .429 OBP and a .997 OPS -- sign me up.