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#5 Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston
Whether it's his size or even the proven fact that he isovershadowed by other players on his team, Pedroia still seldom gets the recognition to be one of the best players in baseball. But he isone of the greatest in baseball at getting in touch while still hitting for power, and he rounds out his game by drawing walks, stealing bases in a high succe s rate, and playing Deiontrez Mount Jersey excellent defense at second base. Total, the package adds up to a +5 to +6 win player in the prime. Oh, and hes under agreement for the following 5 years at a total of $44 million the last year is voided if hes traded, but still, 4/33 for which Pedroia brings to the table is a huge bargain.
#4 Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida
Yet another guy to whom it was pretty tough to look for a final spot. Ramirez obviously brings positives towards the table, as he isan offensive monster for any shortstop, especially compared with the current group that comprises his peers. Hes a five tool player producing at a premium position, and at just 26 years old, he might get better still. But, hes had some pretty public i sues with management and is still not considered the hardest worker around. Further his contract is not very inexpensive, as hell get paid $57 million within the next four years. The performance and talent, however, is too impre sive to have him any lower on this list, as teams would gladly put up with Ramirezs warts in order to get a shortstop having a career .394 wOBA.
#3 Stephen Strasburg, SP, Washington
This might be as high as any pitcher is ever going to rank about this list. Strasburg continues to be simply sensational so far in the big Phillip Dorsett Jersey leagues, posting an absurd 2.11 xFIP in the first eight starts. His stuff is preferable to anyone in baseball, and its difficult to see hitters figuring him out so long as he keeps throwing this hard. Oh, and the Nationals control his rights through 2016. He wont make any serious money for an additional 3 years, so for the time being, the Nationals acquire one of the games best pitchers at approximately Five percent of his market price. But, as with any pitcher, the risks are significant. The superlatives could all disappear with one pitch, because it has for so many phenoms before him. Pitcher attrition would keep other teams from quitting the kitchen sink to obtain Strasburg, but because good as he is, the refrigerator is most likely on the table.
#2 Jason Heyward, OF, Atlanta
The years other phenom, Heyward isnt just like Strasburg at this time, but hes a hitter, which makes all the improvement in the world when a signing risk. Just 20 years old, hes already shown hes ready for the big leagues, flashing both patience and power at the plate. Hes not even close to a finished product, however the skills exist for him to become the games premier outfielder. It might come sooner than later, actually. Because the Braves brought him up at the beginning of the season, they only control his rights through 2015, but thats still five Erik Swoope Jersey more many years of team control for that games best young talent who still cant drink. Almost everyone who is this proficient at this age becomes a superstar, and few doubt that Heyward is headed that way.
#1 Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay
In May, when Heyward was going nuts, I asked my fellow FG authors if they thought there is a disagreement for Longoria to obtain displaced from the top spot. The solution no, that contract continues to be too ridiculous. And,upon aanother look,it is. Despite being one of the games premier players, Longoria can make $2 million the coming year. Within the next six years, he D'Qwell Jackson Jersey ll get paid $42 million, or about A quarter of his market value, that is just crazy. No player in the game offers the same performance for anything close to this sort of cost, and that i dont know that theres an offer available that would make Tampa Bay trade their third baseman. Unle s Heyward turns into the best player in the game the coming year, Im not sure Longoria will be ceding this destination to anyone for quite a while. His contract is easily the most team friendly deal any player has ever signed.
So, thats this years Trade Value series. Ill do another post at 5 pm talking about some of the questions that arose from the list, such as why I ended Roy Halladay and Dan Haren, and look at a few of the guys who disappeared from last years list.