Your roster's core

[Rangers]

I feel like I can say this since I created this thread initially, but not ordering your top ten almost completely defeats the purpose of listing it.

[Tigers]

1. Adam Jones
2. Ben Sheets
3. Ben Zobrist
4. Asdrubal Cabrera
5. Andre Ethier
6. Jon Sanchez
7. Tanner Scheppers
8. Brett Lawrie
9. Brad Bergesen
10. Scott Sizemore


and just because they didn't want to get left out...

11. Arodys Vizcaino
12. Tim Alderson
13. Ryan Rowland-Smith
14. Andrew Lambo

[Guardians]

I may as well join all the fun too...

1. Adrian Gonzalez
2. Chad Billingsley
3. Clay Buchholz
4. Travis Snider
5. Howie Kendrick
6. Dominic Brown
7. Kyle Blanks
8. Dan Bard
9. Chris Volstad
10. Conor Jackson

[Padres]

2010 pre-season White Sox core:

1. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
2. Kevin Youkilis, 1B/3B
3. Gordon Beckham, 2B/3B
4. Ubaldo Jimenez, SP
5. John Danks, SP
6. Nolan Reimold, LF/DH
7. Justin Smoak, 1B
8. Michael Brantley, CF/LF
9. Jeff Niemann, SP
10. Daniel Hudson, SP

Honorable mention: Jake Arrieta, SP; Nick Weglarz, RF; Alexi Ramirez, SS/DH; Joshua Outman, SP [DL]

[Mets]

1. David Wright
2. Ichiro Suzuki
3. Jeremy Hellickson
4. Mike Leake
5. Jenry Mejia
6. Derek Lowe
7. Anibal Sanchez
8. John Maine
9. Andrew Cashner
10. Alberto Callaspo

I think this is more of a midsection than a core.

[Tigers]

1. Adam Jones
2. Ben Sheets
3. Ben Zobrist
4. Asdrubal Cabrera
5. Andre Ethier
6. Jon Sanchez
7. Tanner Scheppers
8. Brett Lawrie
9. Brad Bergesen
10. Scott Sizemore


and just because they didn't want to get left out...

11. Arodys Vizcaino
12. Tim Alderson
13. Ryan Rowland-Smith
14. Andrew Lambo

Need to update.....

1. Adam Jones
2. Ben Sheets
3. Ben Zobrist
4. Asdrubal Cabrera
5. Andre Ethier
6. Edwin Jackson**
7. Jon Sanchez
8. Tanner Scheppers
9. Brad Bergesen
10. Scott Sizemore


and just because they didn't want to get left out...

11. Arodys Vizcaino
12. Tim Alderson
13. Ryan Rowland-Smith
14. Andrew Lambo

**Brett Lawrie out and Edwin Jackson in.

[Cardinals]

2010 Pirates Core

1 Tim Lincecum
2 Zack Greinke
3 Roy Halladay
4 Evan Longoria
5 Dan Haren
6 Matt Holliday
7 Jon Broxton
8 Franklin Gutierrez
9 Nick Johnson
10 Kosuke Fukudome or Kelly Johnson, I'm a believer in KJ still.

Lots of changes for the better over the past two years in the Burgh.

Two years later, but:

1. Tim Lincecum
2. Evan Longoria
3. Cole Hamels
4. Mike Trout
5. Yu Darvish
6. Matt Holliday
7. Ben Zobrist
8. Billy Butler
9. Juan Nicasio
10. Jon Papelbon

[Rangers]

Mine:

1. Miguel Cabrera
2. Prince Fielder
3. Chase Utley
4. Yovani Gallardo
5. Alex Gordon
6. Matt Holliday
7. Phil Hughes
8. Stephen Drew
9. Jeremy Hermida
10. Jamie Shields

1. Miguel Cabrera
2. Jose Reyes
3. Prince Fielder
4. Hanley Ramirez
5. Josh Beckett
6. Chase Utley
7. James Shields
8. Jurickson Profar
9. Matt Wieters
10. Sergio Romo (tough to give away those numbers)

[Orioles]

1. Justin Verlander, SP
2. David Ortiz, 1B/DH
3. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
4. Ben Sheets, SP
5. Carl Crawford, LF
6. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
7. Hunter Pence, CF
8. Dustin McGowan, SP
9. Adam Miller, SP
10. Ian Kinsler, 2B

If Gio Gonzalez logs some big league innings this year, I'd probably bump him ahead of Kinsler.

That's from 4 years ago. Shockingly similar to my current top 10.

1. Justin Verlander, SP
2. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
3. Ian Kinsler, 2B
4. Carl Crawford, LF
5. Max Scherzer, SP
6. Justin Morneau, 1B
7. Wil Myers, OF
9. Jarred Cosart, SP
10. Mark Beuhrle, SP

[Giants]

Oh this looks like fun.

1. Buster Posey
2. Jason Bay
3. JD Drew
4. Gil Meche
5. Brett Myers
6. Derek Holland
7. Huston Street
8. Mike Cameron
9. Ryan Doumit
10. Chris Davis
HM: The Great White Whale Michael Ynoa
Dearly Departed for now: Mark DiFelice
This list will probably look pretty different in a month or two.

On the bandwagon that was an ugly list, not sure this one is much better

1. Mike Stanton
2. Buster Posey
3. Shaun Marcum
4. Brandon McCarthy
5. JJ Hardy
6. Xander Bogaerts
7. Huston Street
8. Alejandro de Aza (i buy the breakout)
9. Liam Hendriks
10. Jason Giambi (fan pick, really hurts that Dunn isn't in the top 5)

[Padres]

2010 pre-season White Sox core:

1. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
2. Kevin Youkilis, 1B/3B
3. Gordon Beckham, 2B/3B
4. Ubaldo Jimenez, SP
5. John Danks, SP
6. Nolan Reimold, LF/DH
7. Justin Smoak, 1B
8. Michael Brantley, CF/LF
9. Jeff Niemann, SP
10. Daniel Hudson, SP

Honorable mention: Jake Arrieta, SP; Nick Weglarz, RF; Alexi Ramirez, SS/DH; Joshua Outman, SP [DL]

Daniel Hudson
John Danks
Chase Headley
Jon Jay
Alexi Ramirez
Carlos Quentin
Drew Storen
Corey Hart
Gordon Beckham
Leonys 11-Martin

I still believe Beckham will bounce back ...

[Rays]

1. Joey Votto
2. Jared Weaver
3. Brian McCann
4. Jacoby Ellsbury
5. Ricky Romero
6. Shin-Soo Choo
7. Stephen Drew
8. Gavin Floyd
9. Delmon Young
10. Melky Cabrera

[Mets]

1. David Wright
2. Ichiro Suzuki
3. Jeremy Hellickson
4. Mike Leake
5. Jenry Mejia
6. Derek Lowe
7. Anibal Sanchez
8. John Maine
9. Andrew Cashner
10. Alberto Callaspo

I think this is more of a midsection than a core.

1. Josh Johnson
2. David Wright
3. Ian Kennedy
4. Miquel Montero
5. Anibal Sanchez
6. Michael Cuddyer
7. Josh Bell
8. Jenrrys Familia
9. JJ Putz
10. Lorenzo Cain


I like more core better now than I did originally.
2 of the original pieces - Hellickson & Cashner were just traded in the last week.
Only 3 of the original 10 remain, and 2 of those didn't make the list this go 'round.

[Nationals]

As has come up in some recent trade negotiations...

1. Matt Kemp
2. Chad Billingsley
3. Jered Weaver
4. Adam LaRoche
5. Jhonny Peralta
6. Billy Wagner
7. Jeff Francis
8. Rafael Betancourt
9. Andy Pettitte
10. Michael Cuddyer

(really, after Peralta, the numbers are of less importance)

Only one remains on my team (and LaRoche is certainly not "core"). I generally like my modern (and far younger) core better than mine of several years ago.

1) Eric Hosmer
2) Madison Bumgarner
3) Wilson Ramos
4) Andrew McCutchen
5) Kenley Jansen
6) Mike Montgomery
7) Garrett Richards
Andrew Cashner
9) Josh Collmenter
10) Allen Craig

[Tigers]

Need to update.....

1. Adam Jones
2. Ben Sheets
3. Ben Zobrist
4. Asdrubal Cabrera
5. Andre Ethier
6. Edwin Jackson**
7. Jon Sanchez
8. Tanner Scheppers
9. Brad Bergesen
10. Scott Sizemore


and just because they didn't want to get left out...

11. Arodys Vizcaino
12. Tim Alderson
13. Ryan Rowland-Smith
14. Andrew Lambo

**Brett Lawrie out and Edwin Jackson in.

Apparently, some of those at the end I should have left out! Anyways, on to the update.....definately some churn in the two years, but also some retention.

1. Ubaldo Jimenez
2. Pablo Sandoval
3. Asdrubal Cabrera
4. Jaime Garcia
5. Nick Swisher
6. Adam Jones
7. Jose Altuve
8. Paul Konerko
9. Edwin Jackson
10. Vance Worley
11. David Freese (I couldn't leave out the World Series MVP)



Only three names remain from the prior list. I'm starting to act like JP, churning my roster over!

[WhiteSox]

Quote:

1. Alex Rodriguez
2. Felix Hernandez
3. Albert Pujols
4. Joe Mauer
5. Scott Kazmir
6. Grady Sizemore
7. Joba Chamberlain
8. Jon Papelbon
9. Robinson Cano
10. TBD by the IBC Fan voting


1. Albert Pujols
2. Joe Mauer
3. Felix Hernandez
4. Alex Rodriguez
5. C.C. Sabathia
6. Jon Lester
7. Ryan Howard
8. Derek Jeter
9. Neftali Feliz
10. Elvis Andrus

HM: Mariano Rivera, Jon Papelbon, Manny Ramirez, Javier Vazquez, Jesus Montero, Robinson Cano

2012 List:

1. Felix Hernandez
2. Albert Pujols
3. Roy Halladay
4. Robinson Cano
5. Joe Mauer
6. CC Sabathia
7. Josh Hamilton
8. Neftali Feliz
9. Bryce Harper
10. Alex Rodiguez
11. CJ Wilson

Something like that...

[Athletics]

1]Carlos Carrasco
2]Matt LaPorta
3]Nick Adenhart
4]Andrew McCutchen
5]Homer Bailey
6]Jeff Clement
7]Logan Morrison
8]Hank Conger
9]Sean Rodriguez
10]Adam Lind

Hmmm, well I am kind of glad I don't have this as my core, then again, I don't really have whole lot more since most of it is projection.

1 Brett Jackson
2 Peter Bourjos
3 Dayan Viciedo
4 Jon Niese - Maybe the new nose will help
5 Jed Lowrie

Prospects who will eventually make up the rest of the core:
6 Dylan Bundy
7 Gerrit Cole
8 Jameson Taillon
9 Mason Williams
10 Kaleb Cowart
HM: Trevor Story, Aaron Sanchez, Kevin Comer, and Drew Vettleson

[Twins]

Here we go:

1. Brett Anderson
2. Ryan Braun
3. Desmond Jennings
4. Jason Kubel
5. Trevor Reckling
6. Chipper Jones
7. Jason Bartlett
8. James Loney
9. Andy LaRoche
10. Jon Niese

HM: Ike Davis, Daric Barton, Jason Frasor

1. Jon Lester
2. Adrian Gonzalez
3. Kevin Youkilis
4. Andre Ethier
5. Brandon Morrow
6. Scott Baker
7. Lance Berkman
8. John Axford
9. J.P. Arencibia
10. Austin Jackson

A few things I notice: (1) The second list is much better - Jason Bartlett doesn't crack the Top 10 anymore; (2) I really don't like the Red Sox as much as my top three would indicate; (D) I like my current blend of young and old, although I'd like to get a little younger before my squad ages itself out of contention.

[Astros]

Oswalt
Lackey
Markakis
Garland
Yadi Molina
Burrell
Headley
Antonelli
Max Ramirez
Jared Burton

Wainwright
Jurrjens
Grady
Billy Butler
Frank Francisco
Yadi
Hawpe
Seth Smith
Chris Perez
Chase Headley (he hit .300 away from Petco, my boy just needs a trade)

Wainwright
Danny Espinosa
Taijuan Walker
Jacob Turner
Bubba Starling
Christian Yelich
Hak-Ju Lee
Zach Lee
Jonathan Lucroy
Fernando Salas

**I'd include Seth Smith or Colby Lewis but there's no way they're on the team by September

[Cardinals]

Only three names remain from the prior list. I'm starting to act like JP, churning my roster over!

Smart man

[Guardians]

1. Clay Buchholz
2. Ryan Braun
3. Conor Jackson
4. Travis Snider
5. Jon Broxton
6. Luke Hochevar
7. Mike Moustakas
8. Desmond jennings
9. Jordan Schafer
10. Fautino de los Santos

What the hell was this guy thinking? How come I wasn't left Braun, Moustakas or Jennings? Ugh.

I've done a pretty good job turning the roster over, hopefully for the best. Good news -- Conor Jackson is no longer #3.

1. Matt Kemp
2. Michael Pineda
3. Jeremy Hellickson
4. Ike Davis
5. Jhoulys Chacin
6. Daniel Bard
7. Howie Kendrick
8. Neil Walker
9. Lucas Duda
10. Zach Wheeler

Erick Aybar, Ben Revere, Jordan Walden, Rex Brothers, Vinnie Pestano would probably round out the list.

[Phillies]

1. Jamey Carroll
2. Freddie Freeman
3. Desmond Jennings
4. Dustin Ackley
5. Trevor Bauer
6. Trevor Cahill
7. James Paxton
8. Matt Harvey
9. Lonnie Chisenhall
10. Tommy Milone

[Giants]

Has to be the only time since little league Jamey Carroll has been considered #1 on a team's core of players...

[Phillies]

Jamey is the heart and soul of the Phillies. He is the only untouchable on my squad.

[Mariners]

1. Mark Teixeira, 1B
2. B.J. Upton, CF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Russell Martin, C
5. Rickie Weeks, 2B
6. Bobby Jenks, CL
7. Reid Brignac, SS
8. Jeff Francoeur, RF
9. Matt Garza, SP
10. Johnny Cueto, SP

1. Justin Upton, RF
2. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
3. Matt Moore, SP
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Tommy Hanson, SP
6. Carlos Santana, C
7. Mark Teixeira, 1B
8. Rickie Weeks, 2B
9. Mat Latos, SP
10. B.J. Upton, CF

Looking to crack the list in the near future; Aroldis Chapman.