Fielding the Team of my Dreams

After some thought and deliberation I have come up with the baseball team I would field if I were a GM.  Obviously, since this is a fantasy, there is no money involved.  After all, who puts a price on their dreams...unless the dream is winning $100 million.  Well, here it is, only current players are on here and a full 25 man roster is listed:

C:  Geovany Soto - Ok, so sometimes it is easy picking the best guy at the position.  His youth and talent make him one of the few franchise cornerstones found at the catchers position in the game today.  

1B:  Mark Teixeira - Glove and offense.  He kind of reminds me of Don Mattingly back when Mattingly was one of the best in the game.  Teixeira is one of the best to come along in years.  He is quiet about it too which I like.

2B:  Robinson Cano - OK, so he has no idea what a walk is but this kid can rake.  In a bit of an off year but how can someone pass on a guy with this much talent?  He is also stellar in the field giving many the impression of Roberto Alomar or Carlos Baerga.  Besides, how do you pass up such a well rounded offensive talent for the bottom of your lineup?

3B:  Alex Rodriguez - The best player in the game.  Some say he is not clutch but I still remember all those homers in the 9th and beyond last year as vividly as his strikeouts and double plays.  Besides, I think A-Rod gets a bad rap for the most part.  Sure, he hasn't been A-Rod but in the series against LA in 2005, you know the one where he was blamed for the Yankees loss for hitting 0 homers and batting .133 he had an OBP of .381.  He walked 6 times that series meaning he was on base and other people didn't drive him in.  He has no excuse for the Detroit series in 2006 but no Yankee does.  I'll take A-Rod and his bat and glove.A-Rod rounding bases after another home run.

SS:  Derek Jeter - OK, obvious choice but how do you turn down The Captain?  Nobody is classier and few are as good all around as Jeter.  Even in an off year like this year he is still batting .280+ and winning games.  

LF:  Curtis Granderson - Jimmy Rollins won the NL MVP based upon his 20-20-20 season but Granderson hardly got noticed with his 20-20-20 season.  He is a great player to have and one of the most exciting in the game.  Injuries robbed him of a breakout year this year but it coming.  Yes I am saying he is going to get better.

CF:  Josh Hamilton - One of my all-time favorite players.  This guy could .280 with 15 homers and 70 RBI and I would still love watching him play.  The energy and joy he displays are contagious.  Plus, his story is amazing and inspirational.  He seems like the anti-Strawberry.  I hope he stays that way.

RF:  Xavier Nady - This guy is now my favorite Yankee.  I always respected this guy from when he was with the Mets but he has opened my eyes since joining the Yankees.  He has not shrunk from pressure.  He makes very nice plays in the field and has become a bit of an extra-base machine.  He is also 4th in the majors right now (combined BA from Pirates and Yanks) in batting average.  The X-Man is my pick.

The X-Man, Xavier Nady.

DH: David Ortiz - Since I am an AL fan I get a DH.  Not the hitter he was a couple of years ago as age, weight, and health seem to be robbing him of monster numbers.  Still, I love Ortiz's respect for the game.  He is professional yet personable.  He clowns around and has fun and is always smiling.  I, as a Yankee fan, hate the Red Sox but I can't deny the passion Ortiz ahs for the game.  I cna't help but wonder what would have been if the Yankees had done the smart things and signed him after he was released by the Twins.

SP:  Joba Chamberlain - On top of his potential I love his personality.  Like Ortiz he is always smiling and goofing off but is very respectful of the game.  He is going to be, barring injury (I have to say that now that he is on DL) one of the greatest to put on Pinstripes.Joba's famous fist-pump.

SP:  Brandon Webb - The best sinker-baller in the game.  He amazes me every time I watch highlights.

SP:  Mike Mussina - If this guy doesn't know how to pitch then nobody does.  I am a huge closet Mussina fan.  I thought he was done and I am so happy to be wrong.  This guy is one of the smartest around.

Mussina delivers.

SP:  Rich Harden - I could care less about the injuries.  If he is healthy you have the best pitcher in baseball.  If he isn't, you have the best pitcher on the DL.

SP:  Felix Hernandez - Only 21 and already a hitters worst nightmare.  This guy is a lot of fun to watch and the sick thing is he is only getting better.  Has middle of the road numbers, ok so it is the high road, on baseballs crappiest team.  Would love to see him in a Yankee uniform.

Closer:  Mariano Rivera - I'm going with the best ever at this position.  There is nobody I would rather see on the mound with the season on the line, unless of course I was the hitter.

RP:  Scot Shields - I can't believe he is not mentioned more in the conversation of best set-up man.  Consistent and reliable.  Oh, and damn good.

RP:  Chad Bradford - Amazing how he is basically a journeyman.  His numbers tell the story, consistent and reliable.  His motion makes him look like a gimmick but his pitching tells another story.  

RP:  Matt Lindstrom - Throws 100 MPH and knows where it is going.  With the Marlins after being traded for Carlos Delgado.  Can you say Scott Kazmir anyone?

RP:  Edwar Ramirez - Not the best at what he does but I do love watching his change make hitters look like fools.

RP:  Jon Rauch - One word sums him up: reliable.  

Bench:  

       C:  Chris Coste - I like thie way he approaches the game.

      CI:  Evan Longoria - He is about two seconds away from becoming my starting 3B which would move A-Rod to short and Jeter to DH.

     MI:  Yunel Excobar - The perfect compliment to any roster.  Versatile and a very god hitter.

     OF:  Justin Christian - An odd choice, I know, but I like the way he approaches the game.  Fast and always ready, Christian gets the nod for his pinch-running ability and all around ability to help anywhere in the OF.

     UT:  Chone Figgins - Where doesn't he play.  I swear, sometime I see him pitch, scoop the ground ball and throw to himself at first.  He is Mr. Everything.  Fun to watch and good at what he does.  

Let me know who you would pick for your team.  Have some fun with it.  Don't like my team?  Don't worry I'll be coming up with another soon.  I look forward to hearing from all of you.  Keep swinging for those fences.  Corny, I know but I don't care.