The Foundations

This faceoff is about the basics: who are the players you want to pick to build your team around? Joe and I will trade off – sort of a top ten mock draft of players that are capable of anchoring your team.

This list is based on a standard 5X5 league, but make sure to consider your league’s uncommon categories and how they might bump someone up or down. The classics would be to consider walks for hitters if your league counts on base percentage instead of batting average, and total bases or slugging percentage, among many other possibilities.

In a draft or auction – the player who should be the highest value would ideally combine performance in all categories. He’d hit for average, power, score runs, drive them in, and steal bases as well. I think its always a good idea to go for hitting over pitching first (because of the volatility of pitching). Consistency and speed are usually going to be what separates the top five type players from the next 10 or 15.

Position is also a factor. You’re going to have a great chance of getting good production from first base, even if you grab that player for $10 or in the 8th round. For SS, 2B, C, and CF, it’s going to be tougher to find the top-notch production the pick or dollar amount demands. However, it makes top producers at those positions even more valuable.

For 2009, I think the first player picked and highest priced player should be Albert Pujols. I know this contradicts basically what I’ve written in the last two paragraphs. But he’s going to be very reliable. You know you are getting 100+ runs, 100+ rbi, 35+ hr, .330+ batting average. And, a nontrivial half dozen stolen bases. This is essentially a question of reliability. Albert’s lowest BA ever - .314. Fewest runs in a season – 99. 319 HR in 8 seasons – that’s 39.875 per year. Despite all your other options, this is the guy. He’s worthy of the first pick, of more than $40 in an auction. Alex Rodriguez might have a higher top end, Hanley Ramirez has the best power/speed combo, Manny Ramirez is that wild card, but none of them can give you the same high achievement in as many categories. The totality of what Albert Pujols can give your team is a guaranteed top performer in the most competitive categories. Your stolen bases can wait, thank your luck, grab him, and be start thinking about putting together the rest of your squad.