Post by Sha-Le Unique on Dec 24, 2013 17:48:28 GMT -5
One of the most unique aspects of HOFFBL is the ability to reserve certain desired hometown franchise players for what I assume to be their entire careers. But of course, there is a system to it and each GM has to think carefully about the choices they make with this. With a pretty good amount of baseball knowledge of each team's history (from both inside my head and with the help of the internet), the only Christmas gift I could think of offering to you guys is advice on FPR choices for those that do not happen to have a vast knowledge of their given team's history. I will include future teams as well.
I originally wanted to do 2 articles, with 1 for each league. But I don't want to take up too much of everyone's time to skim through and read all this. So I decided to break it down to each current division and do the AL teams this season and the NL teams in 1956. Certain teams will be grouped with the divisions they spent the most time in, as long as it is logical from a geographical perspective. I figured this would be easier because the current alignment will not be seen for a long time.
Here is how the organization of articles will work out:
1. AL East: Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays
2. AL Central: White Sox, Indians, Royals, Brewers, Twins
3. AL West: Angels, A's, Mariners, Rangers
4. NL East: Braves, Marlins, Expos/Nationals, Mets, Phillies
5. NL Central: Cubs, Reds, Astros, Pirates, Cardinals
6. NL West: Diamondbacks, Rockies, Dodgers, Padres, Giants
Potential talent ratings that are included were either done by Chris already or logically compiled through his ratings chart, with a few exceptions. Chris, feel free to correct my efforts at will.
Baltimore Orioles
1. 1B Eddie Murray
Draft Class: 1973
Ratings: G/G/F/G/G/G, E speed, D steals, A range, Durable
Eddie Murray may have been one of the crankiest baseball players ever, but he was also one of the greatest power-hitting switch-hitters of all time and is appropriately in the Hall of Fame. Murray's talents will be as good as any notable Orioles player ever. He is the clear cut most logical choice for the Orioles' reservations. But how exactly will Pete be able to draft both Murray and another Orioles legendary hitter? Or will he have to make a choice between the two?
2. SP Jim Palmer
Draft Class: 1963
Ratings: G/G/B/G/A with A Duration
Jim Palmer was not only the greatest pitcher in Orioles history, but one of the most dominant pitchers by far in the 1970s. Palmer won 3 AL Cy Young Awards in his career, was the runner-up in two other seasons. He will be one of the many dominant pitchers here in the future and Pete should try to lock him up if he can.
3. SS/3B Cal Ripken Jr.
Draft Class: 1978
Ratings: A/B/F/G/A/G with D speed, D steals, B range, Durable
Cal Ripken Jr. was arguably the greatest all-around player in Orioles history. Rico Petrocelli may have been the first true power-hitting shortstop (Break would have given me an earful if I didn't mention this), but Ripken took it to another level. Despite having a career high of 34 home runs in 1991, his longevity helped him hit 431 career home runs, which is still among the top 50 all-time. Anyway, Ripken was a gamer and a great all-around player and if he has enough points left, Pete should snag him up.
Honorable Mention: 3B Brooks Robinson, CF Brady Anderson, 2B Brian Roberts
Boston Red Sox
1. SP Pedro Martinez
Draft Class: 1988
Ratings: B/G/B/G/B with B duration
Break has a lot of options with his many favorite historical Red Sox players. Deciding between #1 and 2 here was not easy, but I went with Pedro because he's brilliant in both hits and home runs, which is very rare. Break has already stated in his franchise reserving thread that he plans on taking Pedro in 1988 and I agree that this would be an easy choice for him. Pedro was as dominant as anyone from the late 1990s-mid 2000s before injuries took a huge toll.
2. SP Roger Clemens
Draft Class: 1983
Ratings: B/B/G/G/B with A duration
As dominant as Clemens was in reality, he is #2 here because his home runs rating most likely will not be as good as Pedro's. Regardless of whatever steroids and HGH stuff he was taking back then, the Rocket had an amazing career. 7 Cy Young Awards was once unheard of, but Clemens did just that and pitched 24 seasons and retired at 44 years old. If Break has to make a choice between taking Pedro or Clemens, I'm sure he will take Pedro, but Clemens is nonetheless worth considering.
3. SS Nomar Garciaparra
Draft Class: 1994
Ratings: B/B/G/G/F/G with C speed, B steals, C range
This one was also tough, with Jim Rice and Wade Boggs both being very deserving. But I'd take Nomar over both them. Brilliant in hits and good in home runs is something you can't really pass up on. Furthermore, Break grew up with the Red Sox of the mid-late 90s, which Nomar was obviously a part of. As a result, I think he will be able to find a way to lock up both Pedro and Nomar when the time comes.
Honorable Mentions: Jim Rice, Fred Lynn, Wade Boggs, Luis Tiant, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia
Detroit Tigers
1. 1B/3B/LF/RF Miguel Cabrera
Draft Class: 1999
Ratings: B/B/P/B/G/G with D speed, C steals, D range
Before he left, K already mentioned he would definitely reserve Cabrera in 1999, and I can only imagine Trevor will now end up doing so as well. Cabrera is the best player in the game today and with brilliant in hits, doubles and home runs, plus good in walks, there is no second guessing this. It will happen.
2. SP Justin Verlander
Draft Class: 2004
Ratings: G/G/G/G/B with A duration
This should be another easy choice for the Tigers. Verlander is one of the best pitchers in the game, the most recent pitcher to win an MVP Award and is solid all-around. The Tigers should hopefully have enough FPR points to take both Cabrera and Verlander 5 years apart and will likely do whatever it takes to make sure it happens.
3. RF Magglio Ordonez
Draft Class: 1991
Ratings: G/B/F/G/A/G, D speed, C stealing, B range
One alternative for the Tigers could be Magglio Ordonez, who was one of the premier right fielders in the early-mid 2000s. He was the AL MVP runner-up in 2007 and put together a very good 15-year career. The White Sox though could make a case for him as well, so this could be interesting to see. If the White Sox do try to reserve Ordonez though, the Tigers should let it happen and just wait on Cabrera and Verlander.
Honorable Mentions: Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Bobby Higginson, Tony Clark
New York Yankees
1. SS/3B Alex Rodriguez
Draft Class: 1993
Ratings: G/G/F/B/G/A, C speed, A stealing, C range @ SS, D range @ 3B
With A-Rod and Jeter separated by one draft class, I can't see Chris taking A-Rod over Jeter. Nonetheless, A-Rod would be the better player to take between the two. He will provide a good bat, explosive power, smart baserunning and solid defense at both shortstop and third base. Assuming Chris passes on him, this could open the door for the Mariners to possibly reserve him.
2. SS Derek Jeter
Draft Class: 1992
Ratings: B/G/A/A/G/A, B speed, A stealing, C range, Durable
Based on his FPR thread, Chris seems very intent on reserving Jeter, who is a no-brainer for him. A shortstop with brilliant in hits and solid ratings everywhere else. He is the "Captain" and a lifelong Yankee, whose illustrious career will likely come to an end after 2014.
3. 1B Don Mattingly
Draft Class: 1979
Ratings: G/B/F/G/A/B, E speed, D stealing, A range (could be eligible in LF and RF too)
Donnie Baseball is the other guy Chris seems to want to reserve, being that he was probably his favorite player growing up. Mattingly will be solid all-around, will hit a ton of doubles, a lot of home runs and provide Gold Glove defense at first base. He'd be an excellent choice for the Yankees.
Honorable Mentions: Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Thurman Munson
Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays
1. SP David Price
Draft Class: 2007
Ratings: B/B/G/G/B, A duration
Obviously the Rays won't be here for a very long time, but why not play the futures game anyway? Price will be a beast and is arguably the most talented player in the Rays' brief history.
2. 3B Evan Longoria
Draft Class: 2006
Ratings: G/B/F/G/G/A, D speed, C stealing, A range
One thing that sucks about being a team in the most recent expansion is the lack of choices the eventual GM will have for this. He will have to make a big choice between Price and Longoria later on. Longoria is a very good hitter and just as good defensively. He would be a good choice as well.
3. LF Carl Crawford
Draft Class: 1999
Ratings: G/G/B/F/F/A, A speed, A stealing, A range
Carl Crawford was the first real star that the Rays ever had from 2002-2010, but I'd take Longoria over him because Crawford's walk rating is not as good. Nonetheless, he would be quite the ideal leadoff hitter for the Rays. I'm sure Chris will make an exception for the Diamondbacks and Rays with FPR's once we get there, due to the lack of options both teams will really have.
Honorable Mentions: James Shields, Scott Kazmir
Toronto Blue Jays
1. SP Roy Halladay
Draft Class: 1995
Ratings: G/G/G/B/G, A duration
The Jays have had some good players since they came into MLB in 1977, but this clearly has to be Mark's top choice once he relocates there. Halladay was as dominant as anyone throughout the 2000s and will be a frontline ace for the Jays, assuming he gets reserved in 1995.
2. 1B Carlos Delgado
Draft Class: 1988
Ratings: G/B/P/B/B/A, E speed, E stealing, A range
This is the other cornerstone Jay that Mark needs to lock up. Delgado may have been overshadowed by the likes of Mark McGwire, Jeff Bagwell, Rafael Palmeiro and Frank Thomas, among other first basemen in the late 1990s and early-mid 2000s. But Delgado was still a feared hitter that could crush the ball a mile. He is an ideal cleanup hitter and if he is not smashing home runs, he will be finding other ways to get on base, whether it be hits or walks, which he should draw a lot of. Don't overlook his defense either.
3. 2B Roberto Alomar
Draft Class: 1985
Ratings: G/G/A/A/G/G, B speed, A stealing, A range
Robby Alomar bounced around with a lot of different teams in his career, but spent more years with the Jays than any other team. He also got officially inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Jay, so he should definitely be eligible to be reserved by the Jays. Mark may not be able to get him though if he chooses Delgado instead, who would be the better choice. Nonetheless, Alomar will be a great player himself.
Honorable Mentions: Joe Carter, George Bell, Pat Hentgen, Jose Bautista
AL Central coming up next!
I originally wanted to do 2 articles, with 1 for each league. But I don't want to take up too much of everyone's time to skim through and read all this. So I decided to break it down to each current division and do the AL teams this season and the NL teams in 1956. Certain teams will be grouped with the divisions they spent the most time in, as long as it is logical from a geographical perspective. I figured this would be easier because the current alignment will not be seen for a long time.
Here is how the organization of articles will work out:
1. AL East: Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays
2. AL Central: White Sox, Indians, Royals, Brewers, Twins
3. AL West: Angels, A's, Mariners, Rangers
4. NL East: Braves, Marlins, Expos/Nationals, Mets, Phillies
5. NL Central: Cubs, Reds, Astros, Pirates, Cardinals
6. NL West: Diamondbacks, Rockies, Dodgers, Padres, Giants
Potential talent ratings that are included were either done by Chris already or logically compiled through his ratings chart, with a few exceptions. Chris, feel free to correct my efforts at will.
Baltimore Orioles
1. 1B Eddie Murray
Draft Class: 1973
Ratings: G/G/F/G/G/G, E speed, D steals, A range, Durable
Eddie Murray may have been one of the crankiest baseball players ever, but he was also one of the greatest power-hitting switch-hitters of all time and is appropriately in the Hall of Fame. Murray's talents will be as good as any notable Orioles player ever. He is the clear cut most logical choice for the Orioles' reservations. But how exactly will Pete be able to draft both Murray and another Orioles legendary hitter? Or will he have to make a choice between the two?
2. SP Jim Palmer
Draft Class: 1963
Ratings: G/G/B/G/A with A Duration
Jim Palmer was not only the greatest pitcher in Orioles history, but one of the most dominant pitchers by far in the 1970s. Palmer won 3 AL Cy Young Awards in his career, was the runner-up in two other seasons. He will be one of the many dominant pitchers here in the future and Pete should try to lock him up if he can.
3. SS/3B Cal Ripken Jr.
Draft Class: 1978
Ratings: A/B/F/G/A/G with D speed, D steals, B range, Durable
Cal Ripken Jr. was arguably the greatest all-around player in Orioles history. Rico Petrocelli may have been the first true power-hitting shortstop (Break would have given me an earful if I didn't mention this), but Ripken took it to another level. Despite having a career high of 34 home runs in 1991, his longevity helped him hit 431 career home runs, which is still among the top 50 all-time. Anyway, Ripken was a gamer and a great all-around player and if he has enough points left, Pete should snag him up.
Honorable Mention: 3B Brooks Robinson, CF Brady Anderson, 2B Brian Roberts
Boston Red Sox
1. SP Pedro Martinez
Draft Class: 1988
Ratings: B/G/B/G/B with B duration
Break has a lot of options with his many favorite historical Red Sox players. Deciding between #1 and 2 here was not easy, but I went with Pedro because he's brilliant in both hits and home runs, which is very rare. Break has already stated in his franchise reserving thread that he plans on taking Pedro in 1988 and I agree that this would be an easy choice for him. Pedro was as dominant as anyone from the late 1990s-mid 2000s before injuries took a huge toll.
2. SP Roger Clemens
Draft Class: 1983
Ratings: B/B/G/G/B with A duration
As dominant as Clemens was in reality, he is #2 here because his home runs rating most likely will not be as good as Pedro's. Regardless of whatever steroids and HGH stuff he was taking back then, the Rocket had an amazing career. 7 Cy Young Awards was once unheard of, but Clemens did just that and pitched 24 seasons and retired at 44 years old. If Break has to make a choice between taking Pedro or Clemens, I'm sure he will take Pedro, but Clemens is nonetheless worth considering.
3. SS Nomar Garciaparra
Draft Class: 1994
Ratings: B/B/G/G/F/G with C speed, B steals, C range
This one was also tough, with Jim Rice and Wade Boggs both being very deserving. But I'd take Nomar over both them. Brilliant in hits and good in home runs is something you can't really pass up on. Furthermore, Break grew up with the Red Sox of the mid-late 90s, which Nomar was obviously a part of. As a result, I think he will be able to find a way to lock up both Pedro and Nomar when the time comes.
Honorable Mentions: Jim Rice, Fred Lynn, Wade Boggs, Luis Tiant, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia
Detroit Tigers
1. 1B/3B/LF/RF Miguel Cabrera
Draft Class: 1999
Ratings: B/B/P/B/G/G with D speed, C steals, D range
Before he left, K already mentioned he would definitely reserve Cabrera in 1999, and I can only imagine Trevor will now end up doing so as well. Cabrera is the best player in the game today and with brilliant in hits, doubles and home runs, plus good in walks, there is no second guessing this. It will happen.
2. SP Justin Verlander
Draft Class: 2004
Ratings: G/G/G/G/B with A duration
This should be another easy choice for the Tigers. Verlander is one of the best pitchers in the game, the most recent pitcher to win an MVP Award and is solid all-around. The Tigers should hopefully have enough FPR points to take both Cabrera and Verlander 5 years apart and will likely do whatever it takes to make sure it happens.
3. RF Magglio Ordonez
Draft Class: 1991
Ratings: G/B/F/G/A/G, D speed, C stealing, B range
One alternative for the Tigers could be Magglio Ordonez, who was one of the premier right fielders in the early-mid 2000s. He was the AL MVP runner-up in 2007 and put together a very good 15-year career. The White Sox though could make a case for him as well, so this could be interesting to see. If the White Sox do try to reserve Ordonez though, the Tigers should let it happen and just wait on Cabrera and Verlander.
Honorable Mentions: Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Bobby Higginson, Tony Clark
New York Yankees
1. SS/3B Alex Rodriguez
Draft Class: 1993
Ratings: G/G/F/B/G/A, C speed, A stealing, C range @ SS, D range @ 3B
With A-Rod and Jeter separated by one draft class, I can't see Chris taking A-Rod over Jeter. Nonetheless, A-Rod would be the better player to take between the two. He will provide a good bat, explosive power, smart baserunning and solid defense at both shortstop and third base. Assuming Chris passes on him, this could open the door for the Mariners to possibly reserve him.
2. SS Derek Jeter
Draft Class: 1992
Ratings: B/G/A/A/G/A, B speed, A stealing, C range, Durable
Based on his FPR thread, Chris seems very intent on reserving Jeter, who is a no-brainer for him. A shortstop with brilliant in hits and solid ratings everywhere else. He is the "Captain" and a lifelong Yankee, whose illustrious career will likely come to an end after 2014.
3. 1B Don Mattingly
Draft Class: 1979
Ratings: G/B/F/G/A/B, E speed, D stealing, A range (could be eligible in LF and RF too)
Donnie Baseball is the other guy Chris seems to want to reserve, being that he was probably his favorite player growing up. Mattingly will be solid all-around, will hit a ton of doubles, a lot of home runs and provide Gold Glove defense at first base. He'd be an excellent choice for the Yankees.
Honorable Mentions: Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Thurman Munson
Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays
1. SP David Price
Draft Class: 2007
Ratings: B/B/G/G/B, A duration
Obviously the Rays won't be here for a very long time, but why not play the futures game anyway? Price will be a beast and is arguably the most talented player in the Rays' brief history.
2. 3B Evan Longoria
Draft Class: 2006
Ratings: G/B/F/G/G/A, D speed, C stealing, A range
One thing that sucks about being a team in the most recent expansion is the lack of choices the eventual GM will have for this. He will have to make a big choice between Price and Longoria later on. Longoria is a very good hitter and just as good defensively. He would be a good choice as well.
3. LF Carl Crawford
Draft Class: 1999
Ratings: G/G/B/F/F/A, A speed, A stealing, A range
Carl Crawford was the first real star that the Rays ever had from 2002-2010, but I'd take Longoria over him because Crawford's walk rating is not as good. Nonetheless, he would be quite the ideal leadoff hitter for the Rays. I'm sure Chris will make an exception for the Diamondbacks and Rays with FPR's once we get there, due to the lack of options both teams will really have.
Honorable Mentions: James Shields, Scott Kazmir
Toronto Blue Jays
1. SP Roy Halladay
Draft Class: 1995
Ratings: G/G/G/B/G, A duration
The Jays have had some good players since they came into MLB in 1977, but this clearly has to be Mark's top choice once he relocates there. Halladay was as dominant as anyone throughout the 2000s and will be a frontline ace for the Jays, assuming he gets reserved in 1995.
2. 1B Carlos Delgado
Draft Class: 1988
Ratings: G/B/P/B/B/A, E speed, E stealing, A range
This is the other cornerstone Jay that Mark needs to lock up. Delgado may have been overshadowed by the likes of Mark McGwire, Jeff Bagwell, Rafael Palmeiro and Frank Thomas, among other first basemen in the late 1990s and early-mid 2000s. But Delgado was still a feared hitter that could crush the ball a mile. He is an ideal cleanup hitter and if he is not smashing home runs, he will be finding other ways to get on base, whether it be hits or walks, which he should draw a lot of. Don't overlook his defense either.
3. 2B Roberto Alomar
Draft Class: 1985
Ratings: G/G/A/A/G/G, B speed, A stealing, A range
Robby Alomar bounced around with a lot of different teams in his career, but spent more years with the Jays than any other team. He also got officially inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Jay, so he should definitely be eligible to be reserved by the Jays. Mark may not be able to get him though if he chooses Delgado instead, who would be the better choice. Nonetheless, Alomar will be a great player himself.
Honorable Mentions: Joe Carter, George Bell, Pat Hentgen, Jose Bautista
AL Central coming up next!
