Franchise Players

[NV]

If you could start your own franchise and could select and player that currently plays in the MLB, who would you choose?

A couple ground rules:

1) This is ignoring contract situations, park factors, etc. Forget leagues and divisions.

2) Any player chosen has to have prior service time in the MLB (so no choosing Bryce Harper, Jesus Montero, etc).

3) This player has to have had more than one year of success. It'll probably be a mistake years from now, but just to remove the unpredictability. Sorry Heyward.

4) The player chosen would be yours to keep for the entire span of their career.

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I'd have to go with Evan Longoria. He's an all around great player, can hit for average, power, drive in 100+ runs. He can also field at a primetime position and at a very high level of success. He's also young and is also a very likable guy who is obviously very loved by coaches and his teammates. He'll also give you everything he's got and leaves everything on the field. He's shown leadership qualities on a traditionally very young Rays team.

 

[elcheato]

I'm thinkin I'd go with Tulo

 

[Mexi]

i love Tulo, but I'm going Longo

 

[Elite]

King felix.

 

[Phil The Thrill]

King felix.

If I were starting a franchise I would take Lincecum over Felix any day.

 

[NV]

Eh, personally I wouldn't pick a pitcher to start a franchise. If I'm starting a franchise I want a player who's going to be out there everyday giving me the best opportunity to win on a regular basis. With a starting pitcher sure you get a great chance at winning every 5th day, but your team is playing nearly every day with a break in between as long as one day.

 

[Elite]

Why would you take Lincy over Felix? Felix is younger and his two best seasons are better than Lincy's two best seasons.

 

[Elite]

And btw, Domonic Brown has MLB service time, you listed him as having none in the OP.

 

[Phil The Thrill]

Why would you take Lincy over Felix? Felix is younger and his two best seasons are better than Lincy's two best seasons.

According to you age doesn't matter...

 

[Elite]

Age doesn't matter in terms of an older player still performing, but there is reason to believe Lincy won't be able to sustain his success due to his delivery and his body frame

 

[cruzg24]

I know Im late on this, but I would choose Joe Mauer. Dude is a great defensive catcher, calls a great game, hits for average and he just puts the ball in play every time. The only flaw is that he doesnt hit for much power, but thats ok because his intangibles make up for it.