November 6, 2010

The 2010 All-MLB Team


First off, I would like to apologize for not posting throughout this season, I have been very busy and Bronx Rumors has been put on the back-burner. I'm hoping to step it back up now. So on that note, I would like to present to you the 2010 All-MLB Team:

Catcher: Joe Mauer MIN

As far as choosing players go, this one is a no-brainer. Mauer led all catchers with a .327 BA, a .402 OBP, and .871 OPS. Add to that Mauer's .469 SLG and you have yourself the best catcher in the major leagues for the last 5 years.

Runners up: Buster Posey SF, Victor Martinez BOS

First Base: Joey Votto CIN

As easy as Mauer was, this one was very difficult. Miguel Cabrera by the numbers was the best first basemen last year. However, he and Votto are not very far apart. Cabrera's line was .328/.420/.622 and Votto's was .324/.424/.600. The factor that I think really sets them apart is defense. Votto is a superb defensive first basemen and could even win the gold glove. Cabrera on the other hand is one of the slowest, most awkward first basemen you'll see. Advantage: Joey Votto

Runners up: Miguel Cabrera DET, Albert Pujols STL, Aubrey Huff SF

Second Base: Robinson Cano NYY

I don't think I need to say anything other than "step aside Chase Utley, there's a new sheriff in town."

Runners up: Omar Infante ATL, Martin Prado ATL, Dan Uggla FLA

Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki COL

Tulowitzki is a player i'd trade for in a heartbeat. He has all the tools. He hit for a .315/.381/.568 line and complimented that with a .949 OPS, 27 HRs, and 95 RBIs. As far as shortstops go, no one reaches his level of completeness.

Runners up: Hanley Ramirez FLA, Starlin Castro CHC

Third Base: Adrian Beltre BOS

This one may surprise some folks, but Beltre really was the best third basemen in all of baseball last year, not some guy named Evan Longoria. Beltre's line was .321/.365/.553, leading the majors in batting average and SLG. He also was the only 3B to get an OPS over .900 (his was .919). Top that off with 28 HRs and 102 RBIs and you have yourself a winner.

Runners up: Ryan Zimmerman WSH, Evan Longoria TB

Left Field: Carlos Gonzalez COL

Just a quick note, because of the insane depth of left fielders and sheer openness of center fielders, I have decided to call Josh Hamilton a center fielder for simplicity's sake. CarGo had a monster year hitting .336/.376/.598 while leading LFs in BA, SLG, OPS, HRs, Rs, Hs, and RBIs. Needless to say, the dude's a beast.

Runners up: Carl Crawford TB, Brett Gardner NYY, Ryan Braun MIL

Center Field: Josh Hamilton TEX

He's being put here because the CF race was dreadful and he played center throughout the postseason. As for my reasoning, try this: he led all MLB in batting average (.359) and SLG (.633) and led all CFs in pretty much every offensive category: BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, and he led in Hs, HRs, and RBIs despite missing about a month of the season. American League MVP right there.

Runners up: Wouldn't be fair to say anyone was even close

Right Field: Jayson Werth PHI

The soon-to-be-free agent had a monster 2010, leading RFs in SLG and OPS while batting .296, reaching base at a .388 clip, belting 27 HRs and driving in 85. Sin-Shoo Choo was close, but his numbers just weren't as good as Werth's.

Runners up: Sin-Shoo Choo CLE, Nick Markakis BAL, Nick Swisher NYY

Starting Pitcher: Roy Halladay PHI

What began as a very close race, Doc Halladay emerged as the easy favorite for the NL Cy Young. He was 5th in the majors with a 2.44 ERA, first in WHIP (1.04), tied for first in wins (21), 5th in Ks, and first in innings pitched. You could definitely make a case for Felix, but i'm gonna go with the Doc. Dude threw a perfect game and a post-season no-hitter in the same year!

Runners up: Felix Hernandez SEA, Adam Wainwright STL, Josh Johnson FLA, CC Sabathia NYY, David Price TB

Relief Pitcher: Mo

Choosing Mariano as the best relief pitcher is like the instant replay rules in baseball: a call can only be changed if there is indisputable evidence. And there is none. Sure, Rafael Soriano had a great year and Brian Wilson became crazy-popular with the "fear the beard" campaign, but none of them can touch the mystique that lies in Rivera's hand, body, number, and name.

Runners up: Rafael Soriano TB, Brian Wilson SF

Designated Hitter: Vladimir Guerrero TEX

'Ol Vladdy can still hit. Guerrero had a .300/.345/.496 line for the Texas Rangers, knocking in 115 RBIs and knotching a .841 OPS. He had a damn good year in the DH spot.

Runners up: Luke Scott BAL, Hideki Matsui LAA, David Ortiz BOS

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