Over the next several weeks RealGMBaseball will be holding our 2014 Major League Baseball 'Be The GM' Contest to determine which player would be the best selection to build a franchise around.

The contest, which is being brought to you by the Original Retro Brand, is described and previewed here: RealGM's 2014 'Be The GM' Contest. You'll want to check out the link for rules on how to enter to win a $50 Retro Brand gift card and to see the full contest schedule.

Manny Machado of the Baltimore Orioles and Masahiro Tanaka of the New York Yankees are featured in the first Sweet Sixteen matchup. Voting will extend through June 30.

Machado has only recorded 162 plate appearances in 2014 coming off a major injury, but over parts of three seasons he has been a revelation with the Orioles. He has a career slash line of .270/.304/.418 while flashing tremendous defense at the hot corner. He led the American League in defensive WAR (4.3) last season, while making his first All-Star team and winning his first Gold Glove.

He isn't an elite offensive player yet, but his bat was strong enough last season to make him the tenth most valuable player in the AL, according to overall WAR (6.4). He is the fifth-youngest player in the AL and won’t turn 22 until July 6.

Tanaka has a very brief Major League resume, but through 13 starts he has been as good as advertised -- if not better. Eyebrows were raised when the Yankees offered him $22 million annually to essentially be a No. 3 starter, but he has been the ace of the staff without question. He has a 2.02 ERA, 0.940 WHIP and 103 strikeouts in 93.2 innings. He has gone at least six innings in each appearance.

Through June 11, Tanaka ranked third among American League pitchers in WAR (3.8). Opposing hitters have a .216/.249/.344 line against the right-hander. After allowing seven home runs through his first six starts, Tanaka has surrendered just two more in his last seven appearances.

Vote In This Matchup: Machado or Tanaka?

Next Matchup: June 13 – Chris Sale vs. Miguel Cabrera

Don’t forget to Tweet your pick along with #BeTheGM to be entered to win a $50 Retro Brand gift card.