World Cup Baseball: Team USA
Since Major League Baseball has announced that there will be a World Cup of Baseball in 2006 before the season gets underway, I had time to contemplate who would make up the Team USA roster. When I saw that other people attempted putting their team together, they would go after players who were up and coming and some that were out of their prime, but put them on the roster out of “respect”, which is fine for an all-star game. But this is the World Cup of Baseball. Since we already try to show the world our dominance in every thing as it is, then why stop at baseball? I mean, baseball is our pastime, right? Well, actually, it originated from a woman’s game called Rounders, which was played in Europe. But for arguments sake, it is America’s Pastime.
So I suggest, besides me managing this fine group of elite players, is to make sure that we ask the players who are the best at their position at this particular time. So here is my list. I use two catchers (can’t have just one), a starter at each position, then a Corner and Middle Infielder as well as an extra Outfielder in case of injury.
I also included 5 Right-handed Starting Pitchers and 2 Left-handed Starting pitchers to choose from. There are also 3 relief pitchers, 2 Righties and one lefty. If you want to argue about who should or shouldn’t be on the list, leave a comment and we’ll talk. But once again, I know I’m right and if you disagree, you are wrong.
2006 USA World Cup Baseball Team
C- Jason Varitek – Relentless behind the plate. A vocal leader as well. Offensive numbers have been on the rise each year since 2002. On top of that, he is able to swipe a bag or two.
C- Joe Mauer – I know I said that you can not just put youth on the roster and must fill it up with players who are performing right now who also have a track record. Well, Mauer is performing now. He is only 22 years old. Twins selected him with the 1st pick in the 2002 draft, selecting him over Mark Prior. He has a high ceiling, and he is exceeding all expectations putting up gaudy .311/4/17 along with only 17 strikeouts. And on top of that, he’s an excellent defensive catcher.
1B- Todd Helton – A career .337 hitter with a 1.043 career OPS. You might say that is scewed due to the fact that he plays at hitter friendly, thin-aired Coors Field. But Helton can also hit on the road. Over the last 3 years, Helton has a .310 average and a .939 OPS to go along with 33 HR and 128 RBI. Very impressive numbers especially for numbers on the road.
2B- Jeff Kent – Just put it this way. Over the last 3 years, Kent has averaged 92 Runs, 167 Hits, 38 Doubles, 4 Triples, 29 HR, 103 RBI to compliment a .300 average and .894 OPS. All that from a guy who plays the middle infield.
3B- Alex Rodriguez – Not his natural position, but he qualifies for 3B because Derek Jeter will be occupying SS. A-Rod still sets the standards for hitters. He is currently leading the AL in HR (16), RBI (46), and Runs Scored (40). All this while also hitting a collective .318 with a staggering 1.055 OPS. And to think, he just hit his prime at the age of 29.
SS- Derek Jeter – So you want a leader? How about Derek Sanderson Jeter? 4 World Championships under his belt. Captain of the New York Yankees, the most prestigious and most famous and most successful sports franchise in the entire world. He is also a career .315 hitter. And did I mention that he also won his first gold glove last year?
LF- Garret Anderson – Why not Bonds? Well, he can’t walk right now and I’ll guarantee he will not be the same player he used to be. Why Garrett Anderson? Well, he has been the most underrated player of his era. No recognition because he plays on the west coast for a team that does not get much recognition, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Since 2000, he has driven in at least 116 runs in 4 of the 5 years. 2004 was the first year he didn’t get to 116, and that was due to an injury plagued season. He is a career .299 hitter with a career .804 OPS. Very good defensively as well.
CF- Johnny Damon – Today, Johnny Damon is the best all-around centerfielder in the game. He plays above average defense and is a hitting machine. He hit a career high of 20 homeruns and drove in 94 runs in 2004. Right now he is on pace to hit .354 and drive in 77. He currently has an OBP of .413. He would make an excellent leadoff hitter for the this USA squad.
RF- Gary Sheffield – Could you think of a more intimidating presence standing in the batters box than Gary Sheffield? He put together one of his best statistical years last year, at the ripe age of 35, where he finished 2nd to Vladamir Guererro in the MVP balloting. Now at 36, he is on pace to put up .317/25/122 and projected to steal 22 bases. He improves as he is getting older. Just think of the numbers he could put up in this monstrous lineup.
CI- Scott Rolen – He is the Mike Schmidt of this era. He is a gamer, competes at the highest level every single day. Gold glove winner and put up career numbers last year. If A-Rod wasn’t a thirdbaseman, he’d be getting the starting nod.
MI- Marcus Giles – This was a difficult decision. I had to choose between him and Brian Roberts. But Giles gets the nod over Roberts for one particular reason; his track record. Lets compare the two over the last 3 years. Giles: .298/37/140 and a .847 OPS. Roberts: .267/10/105 and a .702 OPS. This year Roberts has exceeded his 3 year total (2002-2004) totals of homeruns with 11. But based on track record, I would have to go with Marcus Giles.
OF- Jim Edmonds – I know what everyone is thinking, I chose Edmonds as my backup outfielder because of his excellent, gold glove defense. That is true, but people overlook what he has done offensively. And he has been a monster. But he is overlooked in that Cardinal’s lineup because of the names of Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Larry Walker etc. Over his last 3 years, he has averaged these kind of numbers; .296/36/94. Very impressive. But the most impressive statistic over those 3 years is his mind boggling 1.016 OPS. That is almost Bonds-like.
RHP- Roger Clemens – The most dominating pitcher of this era. Overpowering, and still at the age of 42 has shown to be the most dominant pitcher in all of baseball. Simply amazing.
LHP- Randy Johnson – This is based solely on track record. He is not having his normal “RJ” kind of year, but none-the-less, he’s still pitching well. Having him and Clemens at the top of your rotation would be absolutely frightening.
RHP- Tim Hudson – He is the most complete pitcher since he came up in 1999. His record does not speak volumes of the kind of dominating pitcher Huddy has become. Huddy has the 2nd best winning percentage (.700) since 1999, right behind Pedro. He has a career 3.29 ERA, and had consecutive years of his ERA under 3.00 in ’02 and ’03. He has a 2.3/1 K/BB ratio over the span of his career. And he has just entered his prime.
RHP- Mark Prior – He arguably would have the best mechanics and best stuff out of any pitcher placed on this roster. If healthy, he could be almost as dominant as Clemens. He has a career 3.07 ERA and an impressive 9.65 K/9.
RHP- Ben Sheets – Sheets already has been successful playing international competition as he was the winning pitcher in the U.S. Gold Medal game in the 2000 Summer Olympics. He showed MLB what he was about in 2004 when he struck out 264 and walked only 32. His 12-14 record in ‘04 is very deceiving because he played for a non-competitive ball club, but maintained a 2.70 ERA. He carried over his dominance to 2005 striking out 25 in 27 innings, and walking only 4, with a 3.95 ERA before hitting the DL on April 30 with an ear infection.
LHP- Dontrelle Willis – Dominant lefty. Has learned how to pitch and realized that he doesn’t have to strike out everyone out, although he does K 7.03 every nine innings. Wacky delivery throws hitters off. Has an 8-1 record to date with a 1.55 ERA. Has a 3.8/1 K/BB ratio and more impressive is his 0.95 WHIP this year. He dominated his rookie year to win ROY in 2003, mediocre year, but I consider that part of the sophomore slump, and now he is showing the kind of pitcher he really is, one of the absolute best, hands down. But above all else, he would find it the greatest honor to pitch for his country in a tournament like this.
RHP- Jake Peavy – Jake will only be turning 24 next Tuesday, and has already established himself as one of the “Next” pitchers. Right now he has a 2.29 ERA, had a 2.27 a year ago. His K/BB ratio is 5.92:1, as it has improved every year. And he has a 10.14 K/9. And his WHIP this season is 0.97. Now those are ACE stats.
RHP- Brad Lidge – Was a dominant set-up man for the Astros before they dealt Octavio Dotel to the A’s. Became the most dominant closer in all of baseball when he stepped in. Recorded 29 saves in 33 opportunities. Had 17 Holds before being named the closer. 157 K’s in just 94.2 innings of work in 2004. This year he has 31 K’s in 19 innings to compliment his 8 saves.
LHP- Billy Wagner - A left handed strike out machine who reaches as high as 99-100 mph with is fastball. Was a dominant closer with the Houston Astros. Has an injury plagued year in 2004, but has been strong in 2005 recording 10 saves in 12 opportunities. He has struck out 19, walked only 3 and has a 0.86 WHIP.
RHP- Joe Nathan – Long Relief/Set-up man with San Francisco two years ago, turned Closer with the Minnesota Twins. Has been dominant. He recorded 44 saves last year in his first year as closer, only a year after obtaining 20 Holds. He struck out 89 batters in 72 innings last year. Currently has 13 saves, projected for 46 this year, only 1 blown save opportunity, to go along with 22 K’s and a 1.86 ERA.
And this would be my projected batting order for this prolific team:
CF - Johnny Damon
SS - Derek Jeter
1B - Todd Helton
RF - Gary Sheffield
DH - Alex Rodriguez
3B - Scott Rolen
2B - Jeff Kent
LF - Garret Anderson
C - Jason Varitek
Now, that is a line-up. I realy should be managing.
So I suggest, besides me managing this fine group of elite players, is to make sure that we ask the players who are the best at their position at this particular time. So here is my list. I use two catchers (can’t have just one), a starter at each position, then a Corner and Middle Infielder as well as an extra Outfielder in case of injury.
I also included 5 Right-handed Starting Pitchers and 2 Left-handed Starting pitchers to choose from. There are also 3 relief pitchers, 2 Righties and one lefty. If you want to argue about who should or shouldn’t be on the list, leave a comment and we’ll talk. But once again, I know I’m right and if you disagree, you are wrong.
2006 USA World Cup Baseball Team
C- Jason Varitek – Relentless behind the plate. A vocal leader as well. Offensive numbers have been on the rise each year since 2002. On top of that, he is able to swipe a bag or two.
C- Joe Mauer – I know I said that you can not just put youth on the roster and must fill it up with players who are performing right now who also have a track record. Well, Mauer is performing now. He is only 22 years old. Twins selected him with the 1st pick in the 2002 draft, selecting him over Mark Prior. He has a high ceiling, and he is exceeding all expectations putting up gaudy .311/4/17 along with only 17 strikeouts. And on top of that, he’s an excellent defensive catcher.
1B- Todd Helton – A career .337 hitter with a 1.043 career OPS. You might say that is scewed due to the fact that he plays at hitter friendly, thin-aired Coors Field. But Helton can also hit on the road. Over the last 3 years, Helton has a .310 average and a .939 OPS to go along with 33 HR and 128 RBI. Very impressive numbers especially for numbers on the road.
2B- Jeff Kent – Just put it this way. Over the last 3 years, Kent has averaged 92 Runs, 167 Hits, 38 Doubles, 4 Triples, 29 HR, 103 RBI to compliment a .300 average and .894 OPS. All that from a guy who plays the middle infield.
3B- Alex Rodriguez – Not his natural position, but he qualifies for 3B because Derek Jeter will be occupying SS. A-Rod still sets the standards for hitters. He is currently leading the AL in HR (16), RBI (46), and Runs Scored (40). All this while also hitting a collective .318 with a staggering 1.055 OPS. And to think, he just hit his prime at the age of 29.
SS- Derek Jeter – So you want a leader? How about Derek Sanderson Jeter? 4 World Championships under his belt. Captain of the New York Yankees, the most prestigious and most famous and most successful sports franchise in the entire world. He is also a career .315 hitter. And did I mention that he also won his first gold glove last year?
LF- Garret Anderson – Why not Bonds? Well, he can’t walk right now and I’ll guarantee he will not be the same player he used to be. Why Garrett Anderson? Well, he has been the most underrated player of his era. No recognition because he plays on the west coast for a team that does not get much recognition, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Since 2000, he has driven in at least 116 runs in 4 of the 5 years. 2004 was the first year he didn’t get to 116, and that was due to an injury plagued season. He is a career .299 hitter with a career .804 OPS. Very good defensively as well.
CF- Johnny Damon – Today, Johnny Damon is the best all-around centerfielder in the game. He plays above average defense and is a hitting machine. He hit a career high of 20 homeruns and drove in 94 runs in 2004. Right now he is on pace to hit .354 and drive in 77. He currently has an OBP of .413. He would make an excellent leadoff hitter for the this USA squad.
RF- Gary Sheffield – Could you think of a more intimidating presence standing in the batters box than Gary Sheffield? He put together one of his best statistical years last year, at the ripe age of 35, where he finished 2nd to Vladamir Guererro in the MVP balloting. Now at 36, he is on pace to put up .317/25/122 and projected to steal 22 bases. He improves as he is getting older. Just think of the numbers he could put up in this monstrous lineup.
CI- Scott Rolen – He is the Mike Schmidt of this era. He is a gamer, competes at the highest level every single day. Gold glove winner and put up career numbers last year. If A-Rod wasn’t a thirdbaseman, he’d be getting the starting nod.
MI- Marcus Giles – This was a difficult decision. I had to choose between him and Brian Roberts. But Giles gets the nod over Roberts for one particular reason; his track record. Lets compare the two over the last 3 years. Giles: .298/37/140 and a .847 OPS. Roberts: .267/10/105 and a .702 OPS. This year Roberts has exceeded his 3 year total (2002-2004) totals of homeruns with 11. But based on track record, I would have to go with Marcus Giles.
OF- Jim Edmonds – I know what everyone is thinking, I chose Edmonds as my backup outfielder because of his excellent, gold glove defense. That is true, but people overlook what he has done offensively. And he has been a monster. But he is overlooked in that Cardinal’s lineup because of the names of Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Larry Walker etc. Over his last 3 years, he has averaged these kind of numbers; .296/36/94. Very impressive. But the most impressive statistic over those 3 years is his mind boggling 1.016 OPS. That is almost Bonds-like.
RHP- Roger Clemens – The most dominating pitcher of this era. Overpowering, and still at the age of 42 has shown to be the most dominant pitcher in all of baseball. Simply amazing.
LHP- Randy Johnson – This is based solely on track record. He is not having his normal “RJ” kind of year, but none-the-less, he’s still pitching well. Having him and Clemens at the top of your rotation would be absolutely frightening.
RHP- Tim Hudson – He is the most complete pitcher since he came up in 1999. His record does not speak volumes of the kind of dominating pitcher Huddy has become. Huddy has the 2nd best winning percentage (.700) since 1999, right behind Pedro. He has a career 3.29 ERA, and had consecutive years of his ERA under 3.00 in ’02 and ’03. He has a 2.3/1 K/BB ratio over the span of his career. And he has just entered his prime.
RHP- Mark Prior – He arguably would have the best mechanics and best stuff out of any pitcher placed on this roster. If healthy, he could be almost as dominant as Clemens. He has a career 3.07 ERA and an impressive 9.65 K/9.
RHP- Ben Sheets – Sheets already has been successful playing international competition as he was the winning pitcher in the U.S. Gold Medal game in the 2000 Summer Olympics. He showed MLB what he was about in 2004 when he struck out 264 and walked only 32. His 12-14 record in ‘04 is very deceiving because he played for a non-competitive ball club, but maintained a 2.70 ERA. He carried over his dominance to 2005 striking out 25 in 27 innings, and walking only 4, with a 3.95 ERA before hitting the DL on April 30 with an ear infection.
LHP- Dontrelle Willis – Dominant lefty. Has learned how to pitch and realized that he doesn’t have to strike out everyone out, although he does K 7.03 every nine innings. Wacky delivery throws hitters off. Has an 8-1 record to date with a 1.55 ERA. Has a 3.8/1 K/BB ratio and more impressive is his 0.95 WHIP this year. He dominated his rookie year to win ROY in 2003, mediocre year, but I consider that part of the sophomore slump, and now he is showing the kind of pitcher he really is, one of the absolute best, hands down. But above all else, he would find it the greatest honor to pitch for his country in a tournament like this.
RHP- Jake Peavy – Jake will only be turning 24 next Tuesday, and has already established himself as one of the “Next” pitchers. Right now he has a 2.29 ERA, had a 2.27 a year ago. His K/BB ratio is 5.92:1, as it has improved every year. And he has a 10.14 K/9. And his WHIP this season is 0.97. Now those are ACE stats.
RHP- Brad Lidge – Was a dominant set-up man for the Astros before they dealt Octavio Dotel to the A’s. Became the most dominant closer in all of baseball when he stepped in. Recorded 29 saves in 33 opportunities. Had 17 Holds before being named the closer. 157 K’s in just 94.2 innings of work in 2004. This year he has 31 K’s in 19 innings to compliment his 8 saves.
LHP- Billy Wagner - A left handed strike out machine who reaches as high as 99-100 mph with is fastball. Was a dominant closer with the Houston Astros. Has an injury plagued year in 2004, but has been strong in 2005 recording 10 saves in 12 opportunities. He has struck out 19, walked only 3 and has a 0.86 WHIP.
RHP- Joe Nathan – Long Relief/Set-up man with San Francisco two years ago, turned Closer with the Minnesota Twins. Has been dominant. He recorded 44 saves last year in his first year as closer, only a year after obtaining 20 Holds. He struck out 89 batters in 72 innings last year. Currently has 13 saves, projected for 46 this year, only 1 blown save opportunity, to go along with 22 K’s and a 1.86 ERA.
And this would be my projected batting order for this prolific team:
CF - Johnny Damon
SS - Derek Jeter
1B - Todd Helton
RF - Gary Sheffield
DH - Alex Rodriguez
3B - Scott Rolen
2B - Jeff Kent
LF - Garret Anderson
C - Jason Varitek
Now, that is a line-up. I realy should be managing.
posted by Mark D. Miller at 11:51 AM
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