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Pick one to build a franchise around

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This is a tough call.

Tatis makes some jaw-dropping plays, but he also has a tendency to mess up some routine one's - 18 errors already this year, which is 4 more than the next player on the list. It goes without saying how special his bat is.

Vlad Jr is an incredible hitter, though his numbers this year are propped up a bit by playing in Dunedin. He, like Tatis, isn't a great defender (although I think he'll be fine at 1B long-term)

Ohtani is crazy good, maybe the most talented on this list, but he's older than the others and his injury history would scare me.

Acuna Jr, to me, is the complete package. Elite bat, good glove, strong arm, fast enough to steal 40 bases, and as marketable as anyone else in the game. I'm going with him.
 
Literally is like the only guy in baseball you can endorse in terms of “it factor” and not having a stick in the mud personality.

Acuna Jr would like a word.
 
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Fernando Tatis Jr is one dude I will pay to see play… Obviously he’s not a national treasure like our lord & savior Jesus Jeter- but in today’s game he’s the next closest thing…
 
Fernando Tatis Jr is one dude I will pay to see play… Obviously he’s not a national treasure like our lord & savior Jesus Jeter- but in today’s game he’s the next closest thing…
Can you imagine trading Fernando Tatis Jr for a washed up James Shields and then having to watch his highlights constantly?
 
This is a tough call.

Tatis makes some jaw-dropping plays, but he also has a tendency to mess up some routine one's - 18 errors already this year, which is 4 more than the next player on the list. It goes without saying how special his bat is.

Vlad Jr is an incredible hitter, though his numbers this year are propped up a bit by playing in Dunedin. He, like Tatis, isn't a great defender (although I think he'll be fine at 1B long-term)

Ohtani is crazy good, maybe the most talented on this list, but he's older than the others and his injury history would scare me.

Acuna Jr, to me, is the complete package. Elite bat, good glove, strong arm, fast enough to steal 40 bases, and as marketable as anyone else in the game. I'm going with him.
I factored in Tatis Jr's injuries as well. He's had a few of them already in his young career. That was the separator for me between Acuna and Tatis as both are phenomenal players.
 
perhaps not 5.. perhaps only three.. but the three right ones..
Wait! Is it being suggested that trading JRam is a good idea to "build a franchise"?

Sorry, had to get that in there.
 
Can you imagine trading Fernando Tatis Jr for a washed up James Shields and then having to watch his highlights constantly?
Yes… Sorta.. Reminds me of not trading Jaret Wright for Pedro Martinez and watching Pedro for the next 3 or 4 seasons be the greatest pitcher to ever pitch….

However we always hope the White Sox eat a bag of dicks…. Always…
 
I saw a clip on facebook a few days ago from MLB Tonight with Pedro & John Hart on the stage. Brian Kinney was with them & I forget the 4th panel member.

John Hart said point blank a trade for Pedro (a couple of years from FA) after the 97 world series would have cost both Bartolo Colon & Jaret Wright (both cost controlled for 6 seasons each).

Hindsight is 20-20 but it is understandable why at that time the decision not to trade was made..
 
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2021 MLB WAR (Fangraphs):
Ohtani 7.2 (4.6 batting, 2.6 pitching)
Guerrero 5.3
Tatis 4.9 (6.3 if he played in as many games as Vlad)
Acuna 4.3 (6.2 if he played in as many games as Vlad)

Others 5+ WAR:
Corbin Burnes 5.8
Zack Wheeler 5.5
Marcus Semien 5.0

The 2021 MVP looks clear and it's really just too hard to compete with someone who pitches well too.
 

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